1998 Hunter 340 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
1998 Hunter 340
2003 Sabre 402
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Hunter 340 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Sabre |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Hunter 340 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Hunter 340 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1998 Hunter 340 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1998 Hunter 340 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2003 Sabre 402 is 1.83m longer than the 1998 Hunter 340. The 2003 Sabre 402 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Hunter 340 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1998 Hunter 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Hunter 340 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1998 Hunter 340 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Hunter 340 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Sabre 402 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 1998 Hunter 340 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.