1985 Sabre 38 vs Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Sabre 38 | Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 57 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 | 12 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Sabre 38 and Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1985 Sabre 38 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 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 Loft 47 at 14.20m (46.6ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is 2.62m longer than the 1985 Sabre 38. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 displaces approximately 58% 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 Loft 47, with an SA/D of 17.55 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 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 Loft 47 has a comfort ratio of 13.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38 and 27.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47, 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 Loft 47 offers 12 berths in 4 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 Loft 47 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 Loft 47 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 · Jeanneau Sun Loft 47