Beneteau First 35 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2003 Sabre 402 is 1.51m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The 2003 Sabre 402 displaces approximately 48% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 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 Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L 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 Beneteau First 35 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Sabre 402 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: Beneteau First 35 · 2003 Sabre 402