1985 Sabre 38 vs Dufour 382 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Sabre 38 | Dufour 382 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Dufour |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Sabre 38 and Dufour 382 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Dufour 382 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1985 Sabre 38 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Dufour 382 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1985 Sabre 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the Dufour 382 Grand Large at 11.55m (37.9ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 1985 Sabre 38 is 0.03m longer than the Dufour 382 Grand Large. The 1985 Sabre 38 displaces approximately 1% 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 382 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.17 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 382 Grand Large 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 382 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38 and 30.6% for the Dufour 382 Grand Large, 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 382 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 140L 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 382 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: 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1985 Sabre 38 · Dufour 382 Grand Large