2008 Sabre 452 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
2008 Sabre 452
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Sabre 452 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Cal |
| Year | 2008–2015 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Jim Taylor | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Sabre 452 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Sabre 452 is a 2000s design by Sabre from USA, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 2008 Sabre 452 was penned by Jim Taylor. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 2008 Sabre 452 measures 13.72m (45.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2008 Sabre 452 is 1.83m longer than the 1979 Cal 39. The 2008 Sabre 452 displaces approximately 39% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Sabre 452 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 84.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Sabre 452 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Sabre 452 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.0% for the 2008 Sabre 452 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Sabre 452 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 2008 Sabre 452 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: 2008 Sabre 452 · 1979 Cal 39