1983 Sabre 28 vs 1985 Nonsuch 26 — Comparison
1983 Sabre 28
1985 Nonsuch 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1983 Sabre 28 | 1985 Nonsuch 26 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Nonsuch |
| Year | 1983–1990 | 1985–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Other |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Mark Ellis |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.3 m² (380 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1983 Sabre 28 and 1985 Nonsuch 26 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1983 Sabre 28 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the 1985 Nonsuch 26 is a 1980s offering from Nonsuch from Canada. The 1983 Sabre 28 was penned by Roger Hewson. The 1985 Nonsuch 26 was designed by Mark Ellis.
In terms of size, the 1983 Sabre 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1985 Nonsuch 26 at 7.92m (26.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1983 Sabre 28 is 0.61m longer than the 1985 Nonsuch 26. The 1983 Sabre 28 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1983 Sabre 28 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.86 and 35.3 m² of sail area. The 1985 Nonsuch 26, with an SA/D of 15.47 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1983 Sabre 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1983 Sabre 28 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1985 Nonsuch 26 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1983 Sabre 28 and 36.4% for the 1985 Nonsuch 26, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1983 Sabre 28 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1985 Nonsuch 26 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Sabre 28 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 1983 Sabre 28 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: 1983 Sabre 28 · 1985 Nonsuch 26