Dufour 470 vs 2000 Sabre 386 — Comparison
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 470 | 2000 Sabre 386 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Sabre |
| Year | 2018 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) | 60.5 m² (651 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 440 L (116.2 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 470 and 2000 Sabre 386 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 470 is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2000 Sabre 386 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Dufour 470 was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2000 Sabre 386 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Dufour 470 measures 14.23m (46.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.39m, compared to the 2000 Sabre 386 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Dufour 470 is 2.65m longer than the 2000 Sabre 386. The Dufour 470 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 470 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of sail area. The 2000 Sabre 386, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 60.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2000 Sabre 386 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Dufour 470 and 40.6% for the 2000 Sabre 386, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 470 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L of water capacity and 220L of fuel. The 2000 Sabre 386 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Sabre 386 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 Dufour 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 470 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: Dufour 470 · 2000 Sabre 386