1984 Sabre 34 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Sabre 34 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Dufour |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Sabre 34 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Sabre 34 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1984 Sabre 34 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1984 Sabre 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 0.54m longer than the 1984 Sabre 34. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Sabre 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.96 and 50.2 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 Sabre 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1984 Sabre 34 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Sabre 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Sabre 34 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Dufour 36 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1984 Sabre 34 · Dufour 36 Classic