Dufour 36 Classic vs 2000 Sabre 386 — Comparison
Dufour 36 Classic
2000 Sabre 386
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2000 Sabre 386 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Sabre |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 60.5 m² (651 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 2000 Sabre 386 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2000 Sabre 386 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2000 Sabre 386 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2000 Sabre 386 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 2000 Sabre 386 is 0.68m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 2000 Sabre 386 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 36 Classic has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 2000 Sabre 386, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 60.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 36 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2000 Sabre 386 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 40.6% for the 2000 Sabre 386, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 36 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 2000 Sabre 386 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Sabre 386 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 36 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Sabre 386 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.