1984 Sabre 34 vs Dufour 375 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Sabre 34 | Dufour 375 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Dufour |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 10.05 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 240 L (63.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Sabre 34 and Dufour 375 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Sabre 34 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Dufour 375 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1984 Sabre 34 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Dufour 375 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1984 Sabre 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the Dufour 375 Grand Large at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.65m beam. The Dufour 375 Grand Large is 1.02m longer than the 1984 Sabre 34. The Dufour 375 Grand Large displaces approximately 30% 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 375 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.27 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 375 Grand Large 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 375 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1984 Sabre 34 and 30.9% for the Dufour 375 Grand Large, 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 375 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 240L water and 130L 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 375 Grand Large 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 375 Grand Large