1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra vs 1985 Sabre 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra | 1985 Sabre 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nonsuch | Sabre |
| Year | 1986–1995 | 1985–1992 |
| Type | Other | Sloop |
| Country | Canada | USA |
| Designer | Mark Ellis | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) | 61.2 m² (659 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra and 1985 Sabre 38 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra is a 1980s design by Nonsuch from Canada, while the 1985 Sabre 38 is a 1980s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra was penned by Mark Ellis. The 1985 Sabre 38 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1985 Sabre 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1985 Sabre 38 is 2.44m longer than the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra. The 1985 Sabre 38 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.46 and 39.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Sabre 38, with an SA/D of 16.59 and 61.2 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Sabre 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1985 Sabre 38 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra and 43.8% for the 1985 Sabre 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1985 Sabre 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Sabre 38 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 1985 Sabre 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Sabre 38 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: 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra · 1985 Sabre 38