1987 Beneteau First 345 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2003 Sabre 402 is 1.74m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The 2003 Sabre 402 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · 2003 Sabre 402