Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 vs 1978 Sabre 30 — Comparison
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 | 1978 Sabre 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Sabre |
| Year | 2016 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 1978 Sabre 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s offering from Sabre from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The 1978 Sabre 30 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 measures 10.94m (35.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1978 Sabre 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 2.97m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is 1.80m longer than the 1978 Sabre 30. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 displaces approximately 41% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.92 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Sabre 30, with an SA/D of 15.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1978 Sabre 30 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 and 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1978 Sabre 30 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Sabre 30 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 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: Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 · 1978 Sabre 30