1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 1994 Sabre 362 — Comparison
1987 Beneteau First 38
1994 Sabre 362
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 1994 Sabre 362 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1994–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 2,540 kg (5,600 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 1994 Sabre 362 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1994 Sabre 362 is a 1990s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1994 Sabre 362 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1994 Sabre 362 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 0.61m longer than the 1994 Sabre 362. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1994 Sabre 362, with an SA/D of 16.39 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1994 Sabre 362 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 41.5% for the 1994 Sabre 362, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1994 Sabre 362 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1994 Sabre 362 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 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.