2003 Dufour 34 vs 1990 Sabre 36 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
1990 Sabre 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 1990 Sabre 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Sabre |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 1990 Sabre 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1990 Sabre 36 is a 1990s offering from Sabre from USA. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1990 Sabre 36 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 1990 Sabre 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1990 Sabre 36 is 0.67m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 1990 Sabre 36 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 m² of sail area. The 1990 Sabre 36, with an SA/D of 16.34 and 52.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Dufour 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1990 Sabre 36 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 41.5% for the 1990 Sabre 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The 1990 Sabre 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Sabre 36 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 2003 Dufour 34 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: 2003 Dufour 34 · 1990 Sabre 36