Hunter 27 vs 1978 Sabre 30 — Comparison
Hunter 27
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 27 | 1978 Sabre 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Sabre |
| Year | 1992–1998 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 27 and 1978 Sabre 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 27 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s offering from Sabre from USA. The Hunter 27 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1978 Sabre 30 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1978 Sabre 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 2.97m beam. The 1978 Sabre 30 is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 27. The 1978 Sabre 30 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Sabre 30, with an SA/D of 15.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1978 Sabre 30 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the Hunter 27 and 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1978 Sabre 30 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Sabre 30 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 Hunter 27 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: Hunter 27 · 1978 Sabre 30