Dufour 36 Classic vs 2008 Sabre 452 — Comparison
2008 Sabre 452
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2008 Sabre 452 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Sabre |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 2008 Sabre 452 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2008 Sabre 452 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2008 Sabre 452 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 2008 Sabre 452 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 2008 Sabre 452 is 2.82m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 2008 Sabre 452 displaces approximately 83% 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 2008 Sabre 452, with an SA/D of 16.91 and 84.0 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 2008 Sabre 452 has a comfort ratio of 17.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 38.0% for the 2008 Sabre 452, 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 2008 Sabre 452 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 2008 Sabre 452 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: Dufour 36 Classic · 2008 Sabre 452