2020 Dehler 42 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2020 Dehler 42 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Sabre |
| Year | 2020 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2020 Dehler 42 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2020 Dehler 42 is a modern design by Dehler from Germany, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 2020 Dehler 42 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 2020 Dehler 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2020 Dehler 42 is 0.58m longer than the 2003 Sabre 402. The 2020 Dehler 42 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2020 Dehler 42 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.00 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2020 Dehler 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2020 Dehler 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the 2020 Dehler 42 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2020 Dehler 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Sabre 402 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 2020 Dehler 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Dehler 42 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: 2020 Dehler 42 · 2003 Sabre 402