2012 Sabre 48 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
2012 Sabre 48
2016 Elan GT5
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Sabre 48 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Elan |
| Year | 2012 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jim Taylor | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 284 L (75.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Sabre 48 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Sabre 48 is a modern design by Sabre from USA, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2012 Sabre 48 was penned by Jim Taylor. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 2012 Sabre 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2012 Sabre 48 is 0.78m longer than the 2016 Elan GT5. The 2012 Sabre 48 displaces approximately 33% 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 38.3% for the 2012 Sabre 48 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Sabre 48 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.