1983 Sabre 28 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
1983 Sabre 28
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1983 Sabre 28 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Bavaria |
| Year | 1983–1990 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.3 m² (380 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1983 Sabre 28 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1983 Sabre 28 is a 1980s design by Sabre from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1983 Sabre 28 was penned by Roger Hewson. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1983 Sabre 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is 1.72m longer than the 1983 Sabre 28. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 62% 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1983 Sabre 28 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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: 1983 Sabre 28 · Bavaria Cruiser 34