2012 Sabre 48 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
2012 Sabre 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Sabre 48 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2012 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Jim Taylor | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 284 L (75.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Sabre 48 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Sabre 48 is a modern design by Sabre from USA, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 2012 Sabre 48 was penned by Jim Taylor. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 2012 Sabre 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2012 Sabre 48 is 2.44m longer than the 1987 Cape Dory 40. The 2012 Sabre 48 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2012 Sabre 48 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 96.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2012 Sabre 48 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2012 Sabre 48 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.3% for the 2012 Sabre 48 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2012 Sabre 48 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 284L of fuel. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 2012 Sabre 48 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: 2012 Sabre 48 · 1987 Cape Dory 40