1983 Sabre 28 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
1983 Sabre 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1983 Sabre 28 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Beneteau |
| Year | 1983–1990 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.3 m² (380 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1983 Sabre 28 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1983 Sabre 28 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1983 Sabre 28 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1983 Sabre 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1983 Sabre 28 is 0.34m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1983 Sabre 28 displaces approximately 42% 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 Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 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 Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1983 Sabre 28 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, 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 Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L 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 Beneteau First 27 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 · Beneteau First 27