1984 Sabre 34 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Sabre 34 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Catalina |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Sabre 34 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Sabre 34 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1984 Sabre 34 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Catalina 385 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1984 Sabre 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the Catalina 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Catalina 385 is 1.37m longer than the 1984 Sabre 34. The Catalina 385 displaces approximately 57% 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 Catalina 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Sabre 34 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 Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1984 Sabre 34 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, 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 Catalina 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L water and 114L 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 1984 Sabre 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 385 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1984 Sabre 34 · Catalina 385