1985 Sabre 38 vs 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 — Comparison
1985 Sabre 38
1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Sabre 38 | 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 1997–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.85 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Sabre 38 and 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1985 Sabre 38 was penned by Roger Hewson. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1985 Sabre 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.34m beam. The 1985 Sabre 38 is 1.23m longer than the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34. The 1985 Sabre 38 displaces approximately 25% 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, with an SA/D of 16.68 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38 and 41.4% for the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 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 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.