1985 Sabre 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Sabre 38 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 2005–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.25 m (40.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,250 kg (7,165 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Sabre 38 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1985 Sabre 38 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1985 Sabre 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 is 2.14m longer than the 1985 Sabre 38. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 displaces approximately 45% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45, with an SA/D of 18.22 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38 and 31.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1985 Sabre 38 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45