1985 Sabre 38 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Sabre 38 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Dufour |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Sabre 38 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1985 Sabre 38 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1985 Sabre 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 0.47m longer than the 1985 Sabre 38. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 7% 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 Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 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 Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, 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 Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L 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 Dufour 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 40 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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