Hunter 36 vs 1978 Sabre 30 — Comparison
Hunter 36
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 36 | 1978 Sabre 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Sabre |
| Year | 1996–2001 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 36 and 1978 Sabre 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 36 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s offering from Sabre from USA. The Hunter 36 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1978 Sabre 30 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 36 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1978 Sabre 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 2.97m beam. The Hunter 36 is 1.68m longer than the 1978 Sabre 30. The Hunter 36 displaces approximately 62% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.43 and 56.0 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 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1978 Sabre 30 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Hunter 36 and 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 95L 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 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 36 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: Hunter 36 · 1978 Sabre 30