1985 Sabre 38 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
1985 Sabre 38
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Sabre 38 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Sabre 38 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Sabre 38 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1985 Sabre 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1985 Sabre 38 is 0.76m longer than the Hunter 36. The 1985 Sabre 38 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Sabre 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.59 and 61.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Sabre 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Sabre 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Sabre 38 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 Hunter 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Sabre 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.