About Sabre Yachts

Sabre yachts: “crafted in the maine tradition.”.

Sabre Yachts are renowned for their classic designs, industry-leading quality, and nautically sensible style. That reputation begins with our craftspeople and associates. Their unceasing demonstration of artistry, dedication, and craftsmanship make Sabre a criterion of the global boating industry and honors the centuries-old boatbuilding tradition of the State of Maine – hence the company motto, “Crafted in the Maine Tradition.”

Sabre Yachts, in conjunction with sister company Back Cove Yachts, employs more than 350 Maine craftspeople. Our associates continuously demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their role and its influence on the final product, and nearly a third of the Sabre production team has been with the company for over a decade. Low employment turnover, an emphasis on safety procedures and cross-training, and a thorough awareness of each model’s competitive position in the marketplace have enabled Sabre to exceed today’s high standards of excellence in manufacturing and design.

Each Sabre motor yacht today is powered with the revolutionary Volvo IPS dual pod drives and outfitted with numerous features that ensure owner-operators are comfortable and confident. Currently ranging from 38 to 58 feet, the award-winning Sabre Yachts lineup features timeless Downeast lines, energetic and satisfying performance, as well as carefully thought out details that discerning boaters recognize and appreciate.

Down East Yachting is the premier dealer for Sabre Yachts on Florida’s East Coast and Michigan’s Great Lakes. Our team’s expertise and knowledge of these special boats can make all your boating dreams a reality!

Sabre 38 Salon Express

 Sabre 38 Salon Express

Sabre 43 Salon Express

Port Profile

Sabre 45 Salon Express

Sabre 45 Salon Express

Sabre 48 Salon Express

Sabre 48 Salon Express

Sabre 58 Salon Express

Sabre 58 Salon Express

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Maine Built Boats

Sabre Yachts

where are sabre yachts built

SABRE YACHTS has been crafting sail and motor yachts since 1970. Based in Maine the company has two facilities, one in Raymond, approximately 25 miles north of Portland, and the other in Rockland, which is connected to the facility owned by sister company  Back Cove Yachts . The company’s founder, Roger Hewson, set out to build the finest possible 28-foot sailing yacht using production line methods and fiberglass technology. In 1989 Sabre sought to broaden its market and created the first Sabre 36 “Fast Trawler”, a tri-cabin motor yacht. Today the motor yacht range consists of  Salon Express and Fly Bridge models ranging from 38 to 66 feet in length, and offering cruise speeds of 25 knots with top end speeds in excess of 30 knots. Sabre’s crafts-people take tremendous pride in their work, and are sensitive to Maine’s marine tradition. Both Sabre Yacht and Back Cove Yachts take pride in designing and manufacturing boats that make sense to boaters, and approach every hull with reverence for their philosophy of nautical sensibility.

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  • Sailboat Guide

where are sabre yachts built

Sabre Yachts

The Sabre story began in 1970, when the company’s founder, Roger Hewson, set out to build the finest possible 28-foot sailing yacht using production line methods and fiberglass technology. In a small, 4,000 square foot building, with a handful of employees and a vast amount of market research which he had done on the marine industry, he designed and built the first Sabre 28, and introduced it to the market at the 1971 Newport Boat Show in Newport, RI. The boat was a success, and over the next fifteen years, 588 Sabre 28’s were built. The 28 was followed by the Sabre 34 in 1976, the Sabre 30 in 1979, the Sabre 38 in 1981 and the Sabre 32 and 36 in 1984. The Sabre 42, which later evolved into the Sabre 425, was introduced in 1986. The current sailboat range consists of three Jim Taylor/Sabre Design Team collaborations, the Sabre 362, Sabre 402 and Sabre 452. A new Sabre 426 is due for introduction in September of 2003. Each of the current models has won the prestigious Boat of the Year Award from Cruising World Magazine in it’s year of introduction. A complete list of Sabre models and their dates of introduction can be found at the end of this document. In 1989 Sabre sought to broaden its market by building a line of power boats. In 1994, Sabre acquired North End Marine of Rockland, Maine, a major builder of marine molds and production fiberglass parts. The company’s name was changed to North End Composites in 1996 and it has since diversified into industrial, commercial and architectural composite construction while maintaining an active presence in the marine mold making and part production business. As of 2012, Sabre ended production of sailing yachts though they have said it could be restored should the market improve.

Associations

  • Sabre Owners Association
  • R.Hewson/Sabre
  • Roger Hewson

23 sailboats built by Sabre Yachts

where are sabre yachts built

Sabre 38 MKII

where are sabre yachts built

Sabre 34-2 (Aft-Cabin)

Sabre spirit.

where are sabre yachts built

Sabre 32 (Tri-Cabin)

1987 Sabre 30 MK III cover photo

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Reviewed: Sabre Yachts 58 Salon Express

  • By Chris Caswell
  • Updated: September 17, 2020

Sabre 58 Salon Express

The Sabre Yachts motto is “crafted in the Maine tradition,” and the Sabre 58 Salon Express illustrates that motto well. It’s the only American- built, Down East-style yacht in this size range, aside from bespoke vessels.

Everywhere I turned on board the Sabre 58, the company’s 50 years of boatbuilding experience was evident. There was the corner joint in the American cherrywood (not veneer) interior, so seamless that my finger couldn’t find an edge. Same goes for the bank of dovetailed maple drawers in the galley.

The Sabre 58 is the largest model in the builder’s Salon Express line, which includes 38- to 48-footers, but is smaller than the queen of Sabre’s motoryacht fleet, the 66 Dirigo. There are no crew quarters on the Sabre 58, which is designed for owner-operators, a fact that is reflected in the side-deck access door next to the helm seat.

Sabre 58 Salon Express

That helm has a joystick for controlling the twin 725 hp Volvo Penta IPS950 diesels. The joystick is in the armrest of the twin Stidd UltraLeather seats abaft the teak steering wheel. The dash has a cantilevered solid plank of cherry holding a tidy row of rocker switches below a pair of flush 17-inch Garmin touchscreen multifunction displays. With an eyebrow to prevent reflections from the windshield and a “glove box” for the skipper, this space is a wooden rendition of a glass-bridge system. A double-wide companion seat is to port.

On this same deck, stainless-steel-framed doors aft fold away for entry to the yacht’s salon, thus removing the usual demarcation between the cockpit and interior. You’ll be in the galley, and yes, it’s the first aft galley on a Sabre. It’s a couple of steps from the cockpit’s dining table, and two steps from the dinette and settee abaft the helm.

Sabre 58 Salon Express

But as Bentley Collins, vice president of marketing at Sabre, points out, “If you use your boat for cruising with family and friends, then what better spot to put the galley than smack in the middle between the indoor and outdoor social spaces.”

Stairs next to the helm descend to an atrium with a skylight. Beyond that are a hidden washer and dryer, as well as the full-beam master stateroom. The stateroom has a 76-by-80-inch king island berth with a 10-inch-thick mattress and an inlaid headboard. In addition to drawers and underberth stowage, nightstands are on each side of the berth, and a pair of cedar-lined hanging lockers have shelves.

Sabre 58 Salon Express

Forward of the vestibule is the VIP space, with a walk-around queen berth, a built-in bureau and a double-door hanging locker. The VIP’s en suite head has a stall shower with a door and doubles as the day-head, with access from the vestibule. A third stateroom has an en suite head with a shower and twin berths that convert to a double.

Underway, the dynamic-positioning system should come in handy when waiting for bridge openings. The engine room, reached via a stainless-steel ladder by way of a hydraulic cockpit hatch, has a nonslip walkway between the engines. An oil-change system serves the engines, pod drives and 21.5 kW generator. Other items of note here are a pair of 85-foot Glendinning shore-power cords, an isolation transfer on each shore-power service, and a 3.5 kW Mastervolt high-output inverter/charger for onboard power sans generator. There is arm’s-reach access to everything, including the dual Racor Max 1000 fuel filters and the Groco water-intake strainers—not to mention a gloss-white, Mylar-faced foam noise barrier.

Sabre 58 Salon Express

The Sabre 58 is delivered with a CZone NMEA 2000 networked electrical system that combines onboard Wi-Fi as well as digital switching. Owners can monitor systems and control a multitude of circuits using the provided iPad Mini. (A second iPad Mini is optional.) Launch ports are installed in the salon. The master stateroom has a fixed-network display, and another is in the engine room.

According to Sabre, the 58′s top speed is 31 knots; during the boat’s first cruise from Maine to the Miami International Boat Show in February, it averaged 28 knots from the Shinnecock Canal off Long Island, New York, to Norfolk, Virginia, a distance of about 370 nautical miles over the course of 13 and a half hours. As Collins says, “That’s cruising.”

Sabre 58 Salon Express

Due to the boat’s sound-attenuation insulation, noise levels barely touch 60 dB(A) at the helm—that’s the level of normal conversation—while cruising at 28 knots, according to the builder. Efforts to reduce noise include the use of coring on cabin sides and engine-room bulkheads, as well as tabbing all furniture into place.

Sabre Yachts is entering its 50th year in business, and the Sabre 58 Salon Express embodies the builder’s knowledge base, classic lines and modern use of technology. This yacht is as modern as it is timeless.

Take the next step: sabreyachts.com

  • More: Express Cruisers , June-July 2020 , Reviewed , Sabre , Sabre Yachts , Yacht Reviews , Yachts
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A Brief History of Sabre and Back Cove Yachts

DiMillo’s Yacht Sales is a proud dealer for the Maine made, hand crafted Sabre and Back Cove Yachts. The prestigious brands have been crafting classic Downeast style boats that have become industry leading yachts.

Sabre Yachts originally began manufacturing sailboats over 50 years ago. In 1970, the company’s founder, Roger Hewson, constructed the first Sabre 28-foot sailing vessel. Built using production line methods, fiberglass technology, and a lot of market research, the boat was first introduced at the New Port Boat Show in Rhode Island. The vessel turned out to be a huge success and resulted in the construction of over 588 Sabre 28’s over its lifetime. While this particular model was what got the company moving, Sabre aimed to broaden their market and began to introduce power models. In 1989, Sabre debuted the Sabre 36 “Fast Trawler”, a tri-cabin motoryacht with the spaciousness and comfort of the trawler design but with substantially better performance than traditional trawler hulls. This launched Sabre’s industry-leading motor yacht range. Today, Sabre produces powerboat models from 43 to 58 feet in length with Salon Express and Fly Bridge variations. All current Sabre models are constructed using their state-of-the-art, VIP resin infusion technology. Sabre’s boat building yards are located in both Raymond and Rockland, Maine.

Sister company, Back Cove Yachts was introduced in 2003 after a group of Sabre dealers requested a smaller Downeast style cruising vessel to fit the needs of owners looking for that Maine lobster boat feel. The Back Cove 29 was soon launched thereafter and so was a new brand. Back Cove Yachts crafts luxury yachts that epitomize traditional Maine values- quality, ingenuity and nautical sensibility. The Back Cove Design Team is committed to the concept of the owner-as-operator and thoughtfully creates yachts that fulfill the discerning boater’s need for independence, reliability and comfort. The results are undeniable; classically beautiful boats that are both practical and elegant. Today, Back Cove Yachts produces models 34O, 372, 39O, and 41 and are built at the facility in Rockland, Maine.

where are sabre yachts built

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Bluewater Yacht Sales

5 Reasons for Sabre Yachts’ Excellent Resale Value

Some fortunate yacht owners enjoy frequently trading for a new boat, while others buy and hold. Despite what camp you’re in, the biggest questions marking either journey come when it is time to list your boat for sale. “Will I get near my asking price? How big of a bath am I about to take?” Even amidst a seller’s market, one brand has become a resale value standout: Sabre Yachts. Chris Hall Jr., one of Bluewater Yacht Sales’ Sabre experts and self-dubbed “Blue Boat Guy” helps shed some light on what helps this iconic brand of boats hold their value so well.

It turns out a unique set of circumstances has pushed the delivery window of all new Sabre Yachts models beyond the one year mark. Ordering one of the newest models, like the 45- or 66-footer, is a process that likely eclipses two years. For those unwilling to wait, the pre-owned market is where their search lands. Hall explains, “We are finding used Sabre yachts selling for almost the same amount as what people paid for them a year or two prior.”

where are sabre yachts built

1. Unique Craftsmanship

When it comes to competition, there simply aren’t many brands that can match Sabre’s one-of-a-kind style. “The incredible quality of their boats and attention to detail in the joinery (which is all handcrafted in-house) definitely helps strengthen their resale value,” Chris explains. “Also, you would be surprised at how many buyers prefer a boat that is built in the U.S.” Not just Made in the U.S.A., but Crafted in the Maine Tradition, as the company’s motto states. Sabre’s roots and salt-of-the-Earth workforce hail from a heritage of ship building that can be traced back over four centuries.

2. Manufacturing Capacity

Sabre’s obsession with quality and craftsmanship may also be an influence on the supply and demand curve for their yachts. The company can no longer develop beyond their current manufacturing facilities, and the pool of experienced tradespeople in the Raymond, Maine region is finite. The Sabre facility features 4 production lines and over 150 employees tasked with building 7 different models. Sabre has invested a great deal of capital into equipment and automation to further increase production efficiency, but they will never jeopardize the human element that makes each of their yachts special.

where are sabre yachts built

VP of Design & Product Development, Kevin Burns puts it best, “we manage the size of the company and the scale of the production to keep our work more personalized.”

3. Initial Pricing

Sabre’s new model line-up is competitively priced, often times over 20% below comparable models from other builders. Burns offers some insight, “a great deal of calculation goes into pricing. The value must be there for an owner to make a new design or feature worth implementing. Everything is considered along the way to find efficiencies in the production of our boats and in the overall operating costs for our boat owners,” he continues. This may explain Sabre’s move to exclusively offer pod drives on every model they have introduced since 2008.

4. Purpose-Built

When pod drive technology was in its infancy, Sabre modified the hull mold of their 42 to eliminate the shaft drive elements and provide mounting basins for both Cummins Zeus and Volvo IPS systems. Extensive testing was performed on these new propulsion sets before confirming the benefits and ease-of-use of the technology. Their first IPS-specific hull was launched in 2008 as the new Sabre 38. From that time on, Sabre never looked back. Every model introduced since has featured a hull designed exclusively for pod drives—no more shaft powered boats would be offered.

where are sabre yachts built

PODS VS. CONVENTIONAL PROPULSION

The move from straight shafts to exclusively using pod drives was an all-in venture for Sabre and has paid off in dividends as the technology has matured. Sabre offers propulsion packages from both Cummins Zeus and Volvo Penta IPS with standard joystick controls. Digital interfaces include intuitive menus and great features such as position-hold and low-speed idle control. Both pod systems boast 15-20% higher cruise and top speeds while consuming 30% less fuel than conventional propulsion. The remarkable maneuverability of pod drives negate the need for a bow or stern thruster, which also improves fuel economy thanks to more uninterrupted surface towards the bow of the hull.

The benefits of pod drives are so strong that if you’re looking for a Downeast style boat with twin engines, the decision has already been made for you­—Grand Banks, MJM, Sabre—they’re all pod-driven boats. You really have to reach to find a conventional shaft boat in this class nowadays, but for the sake of comparison, you’ll see it really isn’t a competition between pod and conventional:

where are sabre yachts built

SABRE 66 DIRIGO

LOA Hull Length Beam Draft Displ. Fuel Water Holding Power

73’ 9” 67’ 10” 18’ 1” 82,500 lbs. 975 gal. 100 gal. 40 gal. Twin Volvo IPS3-1200 @ 900 hp ea.

Top speed Cruise Speed Range @ 26 kts. Range @ 21 kts.

32.5 kts 27.5 kts 365 nm 400 nm

LOA: 73’ 9” Hull Length: 67′ 10″ Beam: 18’ 1” Draft: 5’ 1” Displ.: 82,500 lbs. Fuel: 975 gal. Power: Twin Volvo IPS3-1200 @ 900 hp ea. Top Speed: 32.5 kts Cruise Speed: 27.5 kts Range @ 26 kts: 365 nm Range @ 21 kts: 400 nm

where are sabre yachts built

VICEM CLASSIC 71

LOA Hull Length Beam Draft Displ. Fuel Power

71’ 0” 67’ 0’ 18’ 4” 5’ 7” 89,500 Lbs 1,100 gal. Twin MAN V8 @ 900 hp ea.

26 kts 21 kts 245 nm 345 nm

There are many benefits to pod propulsion, but paramount among them are maneuverability. The combination of pod drives and joystick control can make close-quarter handling a breeze, even for relatively novice boaters. A senior couple, or even a single-hander, can operate a Sabre Yacht more easily and efficiently than ever before, with a boat specifically designed for the propulsion package.

5. Layout and Functionality

Hall and his Bluewater colleagues have pinpointed specific types of buyers in the market for a Sabre Yacht. There are those who may have aged out of sailing, are scaling down from a larger motoryacht, or looking to retire and fulfill their cruising ambitions. These are the types of customers that are gravitating towards the stylish, efficient and practical boats that Sabre produces. “There isn’t a lot of up and down, meaning you don’t have to climb a bridge ladder or a full flight of stairs to access the cabins,” Hall tells us. “This is especially important for many buyers in this segment.”

Ultimately, there is a mix of qualities that boost a Sabre yacht’s impressive resale value. But one thing is for certain: Sabre has a proven formula for building high-quality boats built by a customer-centric team of engineers, designers and craftsmen. As Kevin Burns quips, “it’s the Sabre special sauce.”

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Dear Readers

  • Sailboat Reviews

The Sabre 28 is an above-average coastal cruiser that should appeal to a couple or small family.

where are sabre yachts built

The Sabre 28 was the smallest boat in the line produced by Sabre Yachts of South Casco, Maine for much of the company’s history. The production run of the 28 lasted 14 years, from 1972 to 1986.

The Sabre 28 was the only model produced by the company until 1977, when the Sabre 34 entered production. In 1979 the gap between the Sabre 28 and the 34 was filled with a 30-footer of a design very similar to that of her two sisters. In 1982, the Sabre 38 was introduced, and features both a standard and an aft-cabin layout. A 32 was added in 1984, a 36 in 1985, and a 42-footer in 1987. Along the way, the 28 acquired a ketch-rig option. The 28 was dropped at the same time the 42 was introduced.

All boats in the Sabre line are of the modern cruiser-racer type, with fin keel and skeg-hung spade rudder. With a 1981 base price of about $37,000, and an average delivered price in southern New England of about $40,000 without sails or electronics, the Sabre 28 was a relatively expensive 28′ boat.

Despite a fairly high initial cost, the Sabre 28 has proved to be a good investment for her owners. One owner responding to The Practical Sailor’s boatowners’ survey reported that he paid $14,900 for his boat in 1973. That same boat in 1981 was worth about $24,000. A Sabre 28 purchased in 1976 cost $22,000, and was worth about $29,000 in 1981. The collapse of market values in the ’90s is evident in the latest figures, however: a 1986 Sabre 28, which cost $48,900 new, is now worth only about $34,000. This is typical of recent trends, and does not reflect on the Sabre 28—indeed, it’s held more of its value than many boats.

Owners report that the primary motivation for purchasing the boat can be summed up in one word: quality. Sabre is quite conscious of their producing a high-quality boat. The boat attracts buyers willing to pay a little more than average for a boat that is better than average.

As with all boats that have been in production for a number of years, the design of the Sabre 28 has evolved and improved over the years. In particular, a number of minor changes were made in August, 1982, some of which are noted below. Therefore, the price of a used Sabre 28 may be a function of whether it has some of the more desirable features.

The Sabre 28 is conventionally modern in appearance. She has a modest concave sheer, straight raked stern, and short after overhang.

Construction

The hull of the Sabre 28 is a slightly heavier-than-average hand layup of mat and roving. Some roving print through is evident, but there are no visible hard spots in the hull. Gelcoat quality is excellent.

There are optional hull and deck colors besides the stock white on white. On an early Sabre 28 we examined, the red gelcoat had faded to a dull pink, and the boat was past due for painting. In general red hulls are more susceptible to fading.

The deck of the Sabre 28 is balsa-cored for stiffness, with plywood inserts at stress areas such as winch mountings. The hull-to-deck joint uses a fairly standard internal hull flange, butyl-bedded and through bolted on 6″ centers with stainless steel bolts. These bolts also serve to attach a vinyl rubrail and the teak toerail: The hull-to-deck joint is through bolted across the transom.

All deck hardware, including stanchions, pulpits, and cleats, is through bolted and backed with thick aluminum plates which serve to distribute load. The stem fitting is a well-finished aluminum casting.

Skin fittings are recessed flush with the hull surface. All underwater through hull openings are fitted with bronze Spartan seacocks. Spartan seacocks have a short, lipped hose tailpiece rather than the more typical long straight tailpiece of other seacocks.

This short tailpiece precludes double clamping of hoses. This single hose clamp on below-water fit tings is fine as long as the hose clamps are kept tight. We recommend that they be checked at regular intervals.

In general, construction details are among the best that we’ve seen on a production sailboat. All fillet bonding is absolutely neat. There are no rough fiberglass areas anywhere. All exposed interior fiberglass surfaces, such as bilges and the inside of lockers, are gelcoated or painted.

Although tiller steering is standard, about 90% of the boats were delivered with Edson pedestal wheel steerers equipped with Ritchie compasses. The wheel steering option has proven so popular that in 1976 the cockpit of the Sabre 28 was redesigned to accommodate the wheel without interfering with the seating arrangement. Access to the rudder stock for emergency steering is via a plastic plate in the cockpit sole. An emergency tiller is provided with wheel-steered boats.

The mast of the Sabre 25 is a straight section Awlgripped aluminum extrusion built by Rig-Rite. Internal halyards, internal clew outhaul, topping lift, and two-point jiffy reefing are standard, as is a transom-mounted ball-bearing mainsheet traveler. The mast is deck-stepped in an aluminum casting. In new boats, this mast step has been redesigned to incorporate attachment points for blocks, facilitating the leading of halyards aft to the cockpit. Halyard winches mounted on the cabin top are another popular option.

Mast compression is transferred to the hull structure by a teak compression column incorporated in the main bulkhead. Shroud chainplates are heavily through-bolted to the main bulkhead, which is solidly glassed to the hull.

Originally, the Sabre 28 was rigged with single upper and lower shrouds. In 1975 forward lower shrouds were added to reduce mast pumping under sail and vibration at the mooring. Mast vibration in high winds, even at anchor, is a common problem with deck-stepped masts. Not all older Sabre 28s have been retrofitted with the additional set of lower shrouds. If purchase of a pre-1975 model is contemplated, be sure to ascertain that the forward lower shrouds have been installed.

sabre 28 specifications

The ballast keel is an external lead casting, well faired to the hull. Keelboats are accessible in the bilge for periodic tightening.

Construction of the Sabre 28 is strong without being overly heavy. There is no evidence of hurrying to finish the job anywhere in the boat.

Handling Under Sail

With optional wheel steering, optional cockpit-led halyards, and optional self-tailing headsail sheet winches, the Sabre 28 can easily be handled by one or two people. The mainsheet is within easy reach of the helmsman. Unfortunately, his head is also within easy reach of the mainsheet when jibing, except on newer boats; the mainsheet was relocated to the cabin top in 1982.

With main chainplates set well inboard, the headsail sheeting base of the boat is quite narrow, particularly if the boat is equipped with the optional inboard genoa track in addition to the standard toerail-mounted genoa track, The sheeting base is, for example, almost a foot narrower than that of the Hunter 27. This allows the Sabre 28 to be reasonably close-winded. With her relatively small wetted surface and a big genoa, she will be fast in light air.

Unless the water in your cruising area is spread very thin, we suggest you look for the standard keel version rather than the shoal keel. The shoal keel presents a less efficient lateral plane for windward work.

Some attention will have to be paid to the size of headsail used. Owners report that, although the Sabre 28 more than holds her own with other boats of her size and type, she is not a particularly stiff boat. Owners consider her performance well above average, although her PHRF rating suggests only average performance compared to similar cruiserracers. Due to the off-center solid prop, the boat may be faster on one tack than the other, and owners who intend to race the Sabre 28 should experiment to see if this is the case.

Handling Under Power

Several different engines were used in the Sabre 28. Until 1975 all were equipped with the Atomic Four gasoline engine. In 1975 a 10 horsepower Volvo diesel was offered as an option. In 1978, both these engines were dropped, and the Volvo MD7A diesel became standard. The MD7A is a two cylinder engine rated at 13 horsepower. In 1981 it was replaced by the Westerbeke 13.

The propeller shaft on the right hand turning Atomic Four is offset to port. On the left hand turning Volvos, it is offset to starboard. On the earliest Sabre 28s the shaft was on centerline. This change in engines from right hand to left hand rotation means that replacement of engines in off-center located Atomic Four powered boats will be limited to either the Atomic Four gas engine or some other right hand turning engine. Otherwise there will be considerable compromise in handling characteristics under power.

Owners report that engine access on early Atomic Four equipped models is poor. In current Volvo-powered models, access for routine service is good. Some joinerwork disassembly—planned in, fortunately—is required for engine removal, Routine service is via doors and panels.

There is no oil sump under the engine. Access to the stuffing box, needed annually for repacking and adjustment, is poor. Engine instruments—a full bank, with no idiot lights —are mounted in the bridgedeck, with engine starting and stopping controls under the helmsman’s seat. While this may seem awkward at first, it does protect the always-vulnerable ignition switch from water. This is an unusual, but reasonable arrangement.

Owners consider the boat’s handling under power to be good. With her fin keel and spade rudder, she will turn in a tight circle. Owners report that any of the engines will drive the boat at or near “hull speed” under most conditions,

Deck Layout

In 1976, a foredeck anchor well was added to the Sabre 28. The well is large enough to hold adequate primary ground tackle for the boat. It has provision for securing the bitter end of the anchor rode in boats built since 1982. We would add an eyebolt or U-bolt to the well for this purpose if it is not already there.

The water tank vent is located in the anchor well. This is a rational location for an item whose position is commonly an afterthought. Frequently, tank vents are located in the topsides, just below the sheer, This can cause backsiphoning of salt water into fuel or freshwater tanks. We saw this occur on several boats—not Sabres—in the 1979 Marion-Bermuda race, which featured four days of slogging to windward in heavy air.

Sabre 28

The Sabre 28 is one of the few boats we have seen that uses Skene bow chocks. Skene chocks effectively hold the anchor rode or mooring lines in the chocks, even if the boat sails around on her anchor. This is an important consideration in many modern boats, for the Sabre 28, like many modern sloops of moderate displacement, probably sails almost as many miles while anchored or moored as when underway.

Heavy teak handrails and a very effective molded-in nonskid surface facilitate movement on deck in a seaway. The side decks are of necessity narrow due to the wide cabin trunk.

The cockpit of the Sabre 28 is large and comfortable. It is as large a cockpit as we would consider safe for offshore sailing on a 28′ boat. With wheel steering the cockpit easily seats five.

Cockpit lockers deserve special comment. There are two molded-in recesses in the winch islands, handy for winch handles, sail stops, and other small items. There is a shallow lift-top locker under the port cockpit seat, a deeper locker under the helmsman’s seat, and a deep locker under the starboard seat.

The deep starboard locker is bulkheaded off from the bowels of the boat so that sails, fenders, and lines will not migrate to the depths of the bilge. This locker contains built-in holders for the companionway drop boards and emergency tiller, as well as a shelf arranged for line stowage. Although the lid to this locker is a little small for the easy removal of sails, it is one of the best designed cockpit lockers we have seen.

By comparison, the companionway is a bit of a disappointment. Although it is suitably narrow and has a good bridgedeck, the opening is sharply tapered, allowing removal of the drop boards by lifting them only about an inch.

The drop boards themselves are 1/2″ teak-faced plywood in early boats, solid teak in post-1982 models. The exposed edge grain of the plywood core will soon turn gray unless the boards are well varnished. Eventually they may delaminate. We believe that plywood should not be used where it will be subject to weathering. Frankly, the boards look a little cheap on a boat of this quality.

Newer boats have a transparent smoked plexiglass companionway hatch top. Older boats have fiberglass hatches. The plexiglass hatch allows a good deal of light below.

At night, when tied to the dock, it also allows people on the dock to stare into the main cabin. An often forgotten corollary to transparent hatches is that if they allow light below during the day, they allow it out at night. The glare of a white light belowdecks can wipe out the helmsman’s night vision. Not a common problem, admittedly, but a real one nonetheless.

The first impression of the Sabre 28 belowdecks is that she is roomy, neat, and well-finished. Headroom is 6′ under the main hatch, and an honest 5′ 11″ in the main cabin.

The forward cabin contains V-berths with a filler to form a double. The 30-gallon molded polyethylene water tank is located under the forward berths. There is a drawer and a bin under each berth.

With the forward hatch open, it is possible to stand and dress comfortably with the berth filler removed.

The head is full width and closes off from both the forward cabin and main cabin by doors. The Sabre 28 came standard with a 22-gallon holding tank. A Y-valve diverter was optional.

Despite a lot of teak bulkheads and trim, the main cabin is bright and attractive. There are substantial grab rails overhead. The port settee extends to form a double berth. With all berths filled, the Sabre 28 sleeps six. Frankly, six people on a 28′ boat is too many, even for a weekend. We would prefer an alternate four-berth interior arrangement that provides a larger galley. Some older Sabre 28s are equipped with such a layout.

A bulkhead-mounted fold-down cabin table seats four comfortably. It is secured in the folded position by a screw-type hatch dog, a good idea, since a rattling table can drive you to distraction.

At the after end of the main cabin, the galley is located to starboard, with a quarterberth to port. Galley storage is good, with four drawers and several lockers. The galley sink is located just off centerline, almost under the companionway. While this location is good for ensuring that the sink will drain on either tack, care must be taken going below when well heeled on the port tack to avoid stepping into the sink.

The galley stove is a recessed two-burner Kenyon alcohol stove. Stoves of this type, which have integral fuel tanks with the fuel fill located between the burners, present a potential fire hazard if the fuel tank is refilled before the burners have cooled adequately.

On pre-1982 boats, the icebox is well insulated with the exception of the top. Given the fact that Sabre has gone so far as to install an icebox pump to keep ice melt from smelling up the bilge, we were pleased to see them complete the otherwise well designed icebox in 1982 by insulating the top and lids.

Wiring, plumbing—in general, all finishing details—are well designed and neatly finished. The location of the main electrical panel next to the companionway, where it is vulnerable to spray, is an exception to the generally well thought out installations.

Four opening ports are standard; an additional hatch over the main cabin is optional. We recommend this additional ventilation if the boat is to be used in a warm climate. The dorade box over the head is the only provision for foul-weather ventilation.

Conclusions

The Sabre 28 is an attractive, well-built, well-finished boat. Although her price is above average, construction and finish details are also well above average for a stock boat. Despite her modern underbody, she is a conservative design, conservatively built.

The Sabre 28 is neither an all-out racer, nor an allout cruiser. She is a good compromise boat, strong enough to cruise with confidence and fast enough not to embarrass.

She is good-looking in a modern way, without being so modern as to be trendy. She will probably not appeal to the hard-core traditionalist, nor to the flat-out modernist. She appeals mostly as a well turned out coastal cruiser for the couple or a small family. The Sabre 25 may be no Swan, but she’s a long way from an ugly duckling.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Appreciate your in depth comments on this yacht. I raced aboard one on Long Island Sound in the mid 70’s. I echo your sentiments and conclusion.

Is the motor cruiser version safe to use in the offshore UK waters?

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Swiftsure Yachts

Sabre Yachts has built some of the most well-appointed performance cruisers, and the 426 is one of its best. Superb joinery, quality sailing gear and Jim Taylor’s solid design set the Sabre 426 apart from many of today’s production boats. The interior design creates a straightforward, comfortable two-couple cruising layout while the moderate proportions and ample sail area provide good performance even in light winds. Taylor has designed several racer-cruisers and all-out racers in this size range and it shows in the 426’s sailing performance.

KISMET spent most of her life on the Great Lakes until late in 2016 when she was trucked from Harbor Springs, Michigan to Marion, Massachusetts. Since 2017 KISMET has enjoyed summer sailing in New England with inside winter storage and annual maintenance at Burr Brothers Boats. Her flag blue topsides, varnished toe rail, handrails, and beautifully crafted solid cherry woodwork convey KISMET’s high-quality feel. Inspection shows KISMET in superb condition with an interior largely free of dings, scratches, or stains. KISMET shows as a much newer boat than her stated age.  With her shoal draft wing keel, air conditioning, and updated electronics, KISMET is an excellent option for sailors wishing to cruise the east coast and beyond. Her superb condition makes this desirable Sabre 426 an excellent value.

KISMET is now hauled and stored inside a heated shed at Burr Brothers Boats in Marion, Massachusetts for the winter.  Inspection is available by appointment with our Rhode Island-based agent.

Contact Rhode Island-based agent Pete McGonagle at (206) 618-82326 or [email protected]

Name of vessel Kismet
Model Sabre 426
Year 2003
Builder Sabre Yachts
Designer Jim Taylor
Price $287,000 USD
Location Marion, MA
Length (feet) 42
Beam (feet) 13.5
Draft (feet) 5.2
Displacement (pounds) 24500
Ballast (pounds) 8650
Engine model Yanmar 4JH3E Diesel
Engine horsepower 55
Engine hours 1588
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) 60
Water tank capacity (gallons) 120
Holding tank capacity (gallons) 30

ACCOMMODATIONS :

The interior of the Sabre 426 is hand crafted of the finest American cherry with a teak and holly sole. Satin varnish gives the wood a delicate sheen, which accents the highly detailed joinery work featuring Sabre’s signature cold-molded curved laminated trim not found in other yachts. The generous headroom measures 6’6″ in the main salon and aft areas, and 6’4″ in the forward cabin. Drawers are maple dove tailed construction with smooth sliding roller guides. Locker doors have fully louvered fronts, recessed self-closing hinges, and positive sealing push-button latches. Overhead spotlights, reading lights and counter lights are thoughtfully placed.

Forward is the roomy, bright master stateroom with a queen-size centerline berth surrounded by many drawers and lockers. The hanging locker is cedar lined. Aft to port is the head, with a separate shower stall including a teak seat and floor grate as well as a wet locker. The head is equipped with a Jabsco electric freshwater toilet with macerator, and all hoses were replaced in 2022.

The full beam salon has two 6’5” settees, the port side converts to a double berth. The salon also includes an entertainment center with stereo and 15” flat screen tv forward of the starboard settee. The dining table is bulkhead mounted and opens to accommodate 7-8 people. The salon settees are covered in Cologne Ultrasuede. Storage is plentiful both above and outboard of the settees.

Aft of the salon to starboard is the U-shaped galley , equipped with a 3-burner Force 10 propane stove with oven; open shelves are above and outboard of the stove. The galley also includes a microwave and 12-volt Sea Frost refrigerator/freezer with doors for front and top loading. A convenient under-counter dish locker is located outboard of the double stainless-steel sinks, and storage is plentiful with three large lockers for dry goods and five drawers for utensils and gadgets.

  • Seafrost 12V refrigeration
  • GE Microwave Oven
  • Force Ten three burner stove and oven with broiler
  • Xintex S1-A propane fume detector/automatic solenoid valve control
  • Wood cover for stove
  • Manual fresh water pump at galley sink
  • Manual salt water pump at galley sink

Across from the galley is the forward-facing nav station . The design of the chart table allows for use of a laptop and simultaneous access to the storage area in the table. There is a multi-function display at the nav station and two USB outlets for charging electronics. Behind the nav station, the aft cabin is spacious and airy. A convenient vanity and sink are found at the entrance to the cabin, a cedar lined hanging locker is outboard of the sink, and many drawers are provided for storage.

There are overhead hatches (v-berth and salon new in 2021) and stainless-steel opening ports in all of the cabins. The lighting throughout the vessel has been upgraded to Imtra Concord LED lights. There are screens for all opening ports and fans are mounted in the v-berth, salon, galley, and aft cabin. The shades were replaced in 2023 with Sunbrella Toast pleated shades. Reverse cycle air conditioning throughout was installed in 2010. Counters in the galley, head, and aft cabin are Cameo White Corian.

  • Corian counters in galley, aft cabin and head
  • Satin varnished cabin sole
  • (4) Hella two speed cabin fans
  • Marine Air 16,000 BTU airconditioning/heat

CONSTRUCTION:

Vacuum-bagged, Divinycell-cored structure hand laminated with structural E-glass. Outer layers use vinylester resins for waterproofness. Sleek inward turning hull to deck joint with integral 2 1/4″ high teak toe rail, secured with 3M 5200 sealant and stainless steel through bolts. Bulkheads, berth faces, shelves, and floor stringers are all bonded to the hull and each other to provide additional structural reinforcement and the super solid feel Sabre is renowned for.

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION:

  • KISMET’s Raymarine electronics were upgraded in 2016 at both the helm and nav station.
  • Raymarine E90 multifunction hybrid touch display at helm in nav pod
  • Raymarine ST60 Speed, Depth, & Wind instruments in nav pod over companionway
  • Raymarine ST60 wind and tridata instruments at nav station
  • Raymarine E125 Multifunction display at nav station
  • Raymarine P70 Autopilot control adjacent steering pedestal in cockpit
  • Raymarine Type III hydraulic autopilot drive
  • Raymarine RD 418 4kw radar mounted on mast just below 2 nd spreader
  • Icom M502 VHF radio
  • Vesper Marine AIS transponder (2018)
  • Chelsea ship’s clock and barometer on main bulkhead
  • Masthead Windex wind direction indicator
  • Reinke inclinometer
  • Sony MEX-BT38UW (am/fm, CD, USB, Blue Tooth, Sat Radio ready) stereo with two Polyplaner speakers in salon and two weather resistant speakers in cockpit
  • Samsung 15” flat screen TV
  • LED side, stern, steaming, foredeck, tricolor, anchor, compass, and masthead strobe lights
  • Red cabin- sole illuminating courtesy lights

HULL AND DECK:

On deck, there are both inboard and outboard genoa tracks with the inboard tracks recessed into the deck tooling. Custom integrated stainless steel deck hardware includes mast collar, bow roller, chocks (bow, stern, and mid-ships), (10) opening ports, and companionway handrail.

  • Micron CSC green bottom paint, applied November of 2023
  • Forespar Marelon through-hulls
  • Edson varnished teak cockpit table and beverage holder
  • Navy Sunbrella cockpit cushions with red piping
  • Edson 42” elkhide-covered steering wheel
  • Lewmar 40” folding steering wheel
  • Ritchie SP-5 compass in stainless steel binnacle on pedestal
  • Shallow draft bulb/wing keel
  • Varnished companionway solid teak washboards
  • Companionway washboard inserts with insect screens
  • Martek stern davits for dinghy with solar panel mounted on spreader bar and 6:1 lifting tackles with cam cleats
  • Fold-over stainless steel boarding ladder on swim platform
  • Teak-colored Flexi-teak on swim platform
  • Topsides painted Flag Blue with Awlgrip in July 2014
  • (2) Stainless-steel Dorade vents.
  • (6) Mooring cleats
  • Lewmar Ocean 460 12V vertical capstan anchor windlass with line gypsy head
  • Up/Down pushbuttons for windlass on bow
  • Rocna 20kg anchor(new 2018) with 43’ of 5/16” G4 galvanized chain and 150’ of three strand ¾” nylon rode
  • Salt water washdown pump with NFM hose fitting in foredeck
  • Freshwater wash down hose in chain locker (new 2018)
  • Hot/cold cockpit shower
  • Teak and rubber on cockpit coamings (refurbished 2023)
  • Double stainless steel bow rollers
  • Edson outboard engine storage bracket on stern railing
  • Double stainless steel lifelines with midships boarding gates
  • Stainless steel bow pulpit and stern pushpit
  • Custom Navy blue Sunbrella covers for handrails, cockpit table, winches, and hatches (new 2019)
  • Toast Sunbrella oversized dodger with removable side windows
  • Toast Sunbrella bimini with removable connector panel
  • Toast Sunbrella awning
  • Toast Sunbrella pedestal cover
  • North Sails toast Sunbrella mainsail cover
  • Varnished teak flag staff and ensign
  • West Marine telescoping boathook and deck scrub brush

SAILS & RIGGING:

KISMET is first and foremost a good sailing boat, and has the rigging and gear to realize that. From the electric halyard winch to the North Sails sail inventory, she’s a joy to sail.

  • Hall Spars triple spreader aluminum mast and boom
  • Navtec rod rigging
  • Navtec hydraulic backstay adjuster on split backstay
  • Shroud chainplates rebedded in 2020
  • Hall Quick Vang led aft
  • Lewmar 46 ECST two speed electric winch for main halyard, spin halyard, and main sheet
  • New mainsheet and halyard in 2022
  • Lewmar 46 CST for jib halyard, reefing lines
  • (2) Lewmar 58 CST primary winches for genoa sheets
  • (2) Lewmar OneTouch Power Grip winch handles
  • Harken MKIII roller furler on headstay
  • Tides Marine sail track on mast
  • Harken 6:1 mainsheet traveler
  • Dutchman mainsail flaking system
  • Spinnaker and genoa halyards led aft to stoppers in cockpit
  • Mast-mounted Forespar whisker pole
  • Selden turnbuckle covers for shrouds
  • (2) Folding steps on mast
  • Flag halyard to 1 st spreader
  • Harken adjustable genoa lead track and cars
  • North Sails 120% 3Di NorDac genoa with RopeLuff pad, and UV leech and foot (2018)
  • North Sails Nordac full batten main (2016) with Dutchman system (filament replaced 2023)
  • UK #4 stormsail (85%) – (Excellent condition)
  • UK Flasher with stasher (Very good condition)
  • UK 150% Tape Drive Diamond genoa (Very good condition)

MECHANICAL & PLUMBING:

  • Yanmar 4JH3E 55 hp diesel engine with 1588 hours
  • Kanzaki KM3P4 2.61:1 transmission
  • 1 3/8” stainless-steel propellor shaft with Tides Marine dripless shaft seal(new 2023)
  • Three blade Max-prop feathering propellor
  • Racor R24T primary fuel filter
  • Seafrost 12v refrigeration
  • GE microwave oven
  • Marine Air 16,000 BTU air conditioning/heating system
  • Jabsco Quiet Flush electric head(new sanitary hoses and head pump in 2022)
  • Macerator pump for head
  • Tankwatch 4 level indicator for holding tank
  • Whale Gulper 12V shower drain pump (new 2023)
  • Par 12V Sensor Max 17 water pressure pump
  • 8 gallon hot water heater (engine and shorepower heated)
  • Dockside pressure water connection on stern
  • Hot/cold freshwater cockpit shower
  • 12 volt Rule 2000 gph bilge pump with auto/manual switch
  • High bilge level alarm
  • 12 volt Rule 800 gph air conditioning sump pump
  • (2) Aluminum Propane bottles in dedicated gas locker

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:

  • Xantrex Freedom 25 2500 watt inverter/charger
  • Xantrex battery monitor
  • Bass 120V AC and 12V DC switch/breaker panel with analog AC and DC amp and volt meters
  • 80 amp 12V Hitachi alternator
  • Solara Model S625M44 Ultra 150 watt solar panel(new 2018) on davit
  • Victron MPPT solar regulator
  • (4) Lifeline AGM Group 31 130AH house batteries
  • Lifeline AGM Group 31 engine start battery
  • (2) 120 Volt 30 amp shore power inlets and cords
  • (2) Professional Mariner Zinc Saver II – galvanic isolators in shorepower inlets
  • 30 amp to 15 amp shorepower cord adapter
  • 12 Volt outlets at chart table
  • (2) USB outlets at chart table
  • 12 volt outlet at helm

SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

  • Brass ship’s bell
  • Lifesling 2 rescue sling in soft case on stern rail
  • White Jim Buoy horseshoe ring
  • Webbing jacklines
  • (4) Lifejackets
  • Fire extinguishers

Manufacturer Provided Description:

The Sabre 426 embraces the standards which have put Sabre’s name atop the quality spectrum of boatbuilding for the last 30 years. Current Sabre owners and those who have followed the brand over time, will see details here which make it feel familiar. Details which make sense, which add to comfort, security and well being. Logical details that, above all, make each Sabre design a great safe and beautiful sailboat. But details from the past are just part of the story. Keeping up with technology has to go hand in hand with our desire to build the finest possible sailing yachts for our clients. The Sabre 426 hull and deck will be built using vacuum bagged, closed cell, cross linked PVC foam and structural E Glass, which will give her one of the strongest, lightest, most durable structures available today. Hull lines, underwater appendages and rigs were drawn by Jim Taylor Yacht Design. The deck, deck styling and interior were accomplished by the Sabre Design Team. The result is a yacht which will, like her siblings, establish a benchmark in sailing that will endure for many years to come.

where are sabre yachts built

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48 Sabre 2024 Boat For Sale

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  • 48' Sabre

Last updated Sep 11, 2024

48' Sabre 2024

The 48 Salon Express has a traditional exterior profile that belies her contemporary performance. She cruises at 32 knots and, at wide open throttle, she’ll attain more than 37 knots. Pod drives and joystick controls give every owner-operator the confidence to dock her in the most difficult of circumstances, and remarkably low sound levels while underway allow for a more pleasant experience while cruising.

Featuring a standard configuration of two cabins and two heads, the 48 Salon Express is supplemented by a utility space forward of the engine room.  Designed with our customers in mind, her galley-down layout doesn’t compromise on space and light, making food and drink preparation a pure pleasure. Unique to the Sabre 48 design, her master berth and en-suite head have an athwartships orientation, allowing for flat cabin sole on all side of the spacious island queen.

Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Bay Marine.

Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.

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48' Sabre HIGHLIGHTS

  • Yacht Details: 48' Sabre 2024
  • Location: Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Engines: Volvo Penta
  • Last Updated: Sep 11, 2024
  • Maximum Speed: 35.8 kn
  • Max Draft: 4' 1''

48' Sabre additional information

  • Cruising Speed: 32.5 kn
  • Beam: 15' 4''
  • Hull Material: Fiberglass
  • Fuel Tank: 1 x 525|gallon
  • Fresh Water: 1 x 160|gallon
  • Holding: 1 x 70|gallon
  • Volvo Penta IPS 800 Engine Upgrade
  • Sport Yacht White Hull Color
  • Flag Blue Boot Stripe Color
  • Smoke Anti-Skid Color
  • Hydraulic Swimplatform with Pop-Up Chocks
  • Electronics Mast for Hardtop
  • Garmin Open Array Radar
  • Garmin Transducer
  • Reverso Oil Change System
  • Stringer Prep for Sea Keeper 6
  • 2nd Shorepower Inlet at Bow
  • Electronics Prewire Harness
  • Dual Beam Searchlight
  • Underwater LED light Package
  • Kahlenberg Dual Chrome Horns
  • 3000W Inverter with Battery Charger
  • Custom Main Salon and Utility Room Layout
  • Side-by-Side Washer and Dryer
  • Modified Deep “V” Planing hull design, with pod drive tunnels for Cummins Zeus drives
  • 14º deadrise at transom, 23º deadrise amidships.
  • ISO NPG white gelcoat w/vinylester backup resin.
  • Bottom, topsides and transom VIP resin infused biaxial E-glass with Corecell SAN foam core.
  • Stringer system biaxial E-glass with foam core.
  • Resin Infused E-glass swim platform with molded-in anti-skid surface.
  • Hull side rubbing strakes.
  • White PVC rub rail with stainless steel cap.
  • Painted (Urethane) double boot top.
  • Gold recessed cove stripe.
  • ISO NPG gelcoat.
  • VIP resin infused biaxial E-glass with balsa core.
  • Molded-in anti-skid deck surfaces.
  • Companionway door to port.
  • Sliding windows in salon on cabin sides.
  • Electric opening window in salon aft bulkhead.
  • Hinged access door to side deck at helm.
  • Flush, outward opening, transom door with latch.
  • Anchor locker with slam latch.
  • Large lazarette/engine room access hatch in cockpit sole with compression latches.
  • Integrated Sure Shade system over cockpit
  • 1 1/4″ Diameter type 316 stainless steel perimeter rail system.
  • (6) 12” Stainless steel cleats: two forward, four mid-ship.
  • (2) Stainless steel bollard cleats aft
  • (2) Stainless 12″ cleats on cockpit coaming on centerline
  • 10” Stainless steel cleat to starboard of windlass as anchor rode tie off.
  • (4) Custom cast stainless steel mid-rail line chocks.
  • Custom cast stainless steel skene chocks forward.
  • Custom stainless steel bow pulpit with dual anchor roller for 44lb CQR or Delta anchor and “lunch hook”.
  • Quick anchor windlass, electric rope-chain type
  • Teak flag staff and socket on taffrail.
  • Burgee staff on bow pulpit.
  • (6) Low Profile stainless steel hatches w/screens.
  • (6) Custom stainless steel opening port lights.
  • Teak toe rails.
  • Teak cabin-side eyebrow.
  • Teak table in cockpit
  • Custom cast stainless steel “SABRE” logo
  • Raw water washdown system at the bow.
  • Kahlenberg single chrome air horn
  • Hinged access door to starboard side deck.
  • Dual Volvo-Garmin 8617 Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) w/ Separate SD Card Readers.
  • Volvo-Penta Autopilot w/ Joystick Driving.
  • Volvo-Penta IPS Plus Joystick Controller on Stidd Armrest.
  • Twin Lever Shift & Throttle Control (EVC-E) w/ Single Lever & Cruise Control Software.
  • Triple windshield wipers w/ multiple speed settings.
  • Windshield washers plumbed from the fresh water system.
  • Ritchie Compass.
  • Switch controls for horn, running lights, anchor light, engine room blowers, & bilge pumps.
  • Custom teak steering wheel w/ tilt helm & Sabre logo.
  • Twin Stidd N Series helm seats w/ Ultraleather® fabric mounted on a cherry cabinet
  • NMEA 2000 backbone
  • Island berth athwartship layout with 9″ foam mattress and laminated trim.
  • Hull side deadlight over head board
  • Shoji style passageway and closet doors
  • Shoji style portlight screen panels
  • Cherry hull ceilings.
  • Drawers under berth and in bulkhead aft of berth.
  • (2) hanging lockers fore and aft of bed.
  • Teak and holly sole.
  • Sound deadening soft headliner panels.
  • Sliding door to master head compartment
  • Private access from master stateroom
  • Custom tile in WC and shower sole
  • Glass vessel style sink
  • High gloss finish over solid cherry counter.
  • Vanity cabinet below sink
  • Storage outboard
  • Mirror above vanity, cherry framed
  • Separate shower stall with clear bi-fold enclosure and glass tile accent wall within
  • Electric shower sump pump
  • Opening port to side deck
  • Deck hatch with blind/screen overhead
  • Ventilation blower
  • Stainless steel towel bars
  • Spacious island berth, with 6″ mattress and laminated trim.
  • Drawers under berth, A/C return grille beside.
  • Storage lockers, drawers and shelves.
  • Private access to forward head and shower
  • “L” settee to starboard, 5” foam cushions, with storage and Sabre tool drawer under.
  • High Gloss finished table with hi-low pedestal and angled slide mechanism. Lowers to coffee table height.
  • Entertainment unit to port including a flat screen LCD TV 32” on lift with DVD player
  • Sound deadening, soft headliner panels.
  • Raised mates L-shaped settee to port of helm
  • Hinged stainless steel door to cockpit
  • Electrically operated window aft of L-settee
  • Deep chart table forward of L-settee seat port
  • Fiddles at nav station

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IMAGES

  1. Sabre Begins Construction on its Largest Ever Yacht

    where are sabre yachts built

  2. Sabre motor yachts

    where are sabre yachts built

  3. Sabre Yachts

    where are sabre yachts built

  4. Sabre motor yachts

    where are sabre yachts built

  5. Sabre Yachts

    where are sabre yachts built

  6. Sabre Yachts

    where are sabre yachts built

VIDEO

  1. Sabre 54 Salon Express

  2. Sabre 27

  3. SABRE 58 Salon Express

  4. BostonYacht.com

  5. Nine little Known Facts of the F 86 Sabre

  6. Sabre Jet engine back after 10 years

COMMENTS

  1. Sabre Yachts: Luxury Motoryachts Crafted in Maine

    Sabre Yachts manufactures downeast style motoryachts; semi-custom and hand-crafted in Maine since 1970.

  2. About Sabre Yachts: Handcrafted Semi-Custom Motoryachts, from Maine

    The story of Sabre Yachts' boat builders and designers, and their 45+ year history building downeast-style yachts in the Maine tradition.

  3. Sabre motor yachts

    Sabre Yachts has crafted luxury Maine-built yachts since 1970. Faithful to that heritage, Sabre is dedicated to manufacturing the highest quality dual-engine pod-driven yachts on the market, in signature Downeast style. Crafted by Maine's best and most experienced boat builders, Sabre's iconic woodworking and classic profiles turn heads in any harbor.

  4. The tradition of Maine boatbuilding has kept Sabre Yachts afloat

    The family of motor yachts that Sabre now offers are built on the well-earned reputation of skilled Maine boat building - a tradition that is widely known throughout the boating industry.

  5. Sabre's Storied 50-year History and ...

    Sabre's 28-foot ocean racer/cruiser offered standing headroom, a full complement of berths and a handcrafted teak interior of a quality typically found on larger custom yachts. For the first 20 years, Sabre's sailboat range included models from 28 to 42 feet in length.

  6. Sabre Yachts (USA)

    The Sabre story began in 1970, when the company's founder, Roger Hewson, set out to build the finest possible 28-foot sailing yacht using production line methods and fiberglass technology. In a small, 4,000 square foot building, with a handful of employees and a vast amount of market research which he had done on the marine industry, he designed and built the first Sabre 28, and introduced ...

  7. About Sabre Yachts

    Sabre Yachts has crafted luxury Maine-built yachts for over 50 years. Since 1970, Sabre has been dedicated to manufacturing only the highest quality Downeast style vessels. Crafted by Maine boat builders with cumulative centuries of experience, Sabre's iconic American-cherry woodworking and classic profiles turn heads in any harbor.Each Sabre ...

  8. Sabre Yachts

    SABRE YACHTS has been crafting sail and motor yachts since 1970. Based in Maine the company has two facilities, one in Raymond, approximately 25 miles north of Portland, and the other in Rockland, which is connected to the facility owned by sister company Back Cove Yachts. The company's founder, Roger Hewson, set out to build the finest ...

  9. Building Boats with Sabre Yachts

    The editors roll up their sleeves and report to work at Sabre Yachts, where we learn about boatbuilding and the appeal of downeast craftsmanship. It's time to clock in.

  10. Sabre Yachts

    The Sabre story began in 1970, when the company's founder, Roger Hewson, set out to build the finest possible 28-foot sailing yacht using production line methods and fiberglass technology. In a small, 4,000 square foot building, with a handful of employees and a vast amount of market research whi...

  11. Sabre Yachts

    The first Maine-built Sabre was a 28-foot ocean racer/cruiser with standing headroom, berths for six, and a handcrafted teak interior of a quality typically found on larger custom yachts.

  12. Sabre Yachts

    Sabre Yachts has crafted luxury Maine-built yachts since 1970. Faithful to that heritage, Sabre is dedicated to manufacturing the highest quality dual-engine pod-driven yachts on the market, in signature Downeast style.

  13. Reviewed: Sabre Yachts 58 Salon Express

    The Sabre Yachts motto is "crafted in the Maine tradition," and the Sabre 58 Salon Express illustrates that motto well. It's the only American- built, Down East-style yacht in this size range, aside from bespoke vessels.

  14. A Brief History of Sabre and Back Cove Yachts

    Sabre Yachts originally began manufacturing sailboats over 50 years ago. In 1970, the company's founder, Roger Hewson, constructed the first Sabre 28-foot sailing vessel. Built using production line methods, fiberglass technology, and a lot of market research, the boat was first introduced at the New Port Boat Show in Rhode Island.

  15. 5 Reasons for Sabre Yachts' Excellent Resale Value

    The Sabre facility features 4 production lines and over 150 employees tasked with building 7 different models. Sabre has invested a great deal of capital into equipment and automation to further increase production efficiency, but they will never jeopardize the human element that makes each of their yachts special.

  16. PDF Sabre Sailing Yachts and Their Years of Production

    Sabre Sailing Yachts and Their Years of Production. Sabre 28 I. Hull #1 - 199 Built 1970-75. Sabre 28 II. Hull #212-#539 Built 1976-82. Sabre 28 III. Hull #540 - #588 Built 1983-86.

  17. Sabre 28

    The Sabre 28 was the smallest boat in the line produced by Sabre Yachts of South Casco, Maine for much of the company's history. The production run of the 28 lasted 14 years, from 1972 to 1986. The Sabre 28 was the only model produced by the company until 1977, when the Sabre 34 entered production. In 1979 the gap between the Sabre 28 and the ...

  18. 2003 Sabre 426 Kismet

    Sabre Yachts has built some of the most well-appointed performance cruisers, and the 426 is one of its best. Superb joinery, quality sailing gear and Jim Taylor's solid design set the Sabre 426 apart from many of today's production boats. The interior design creates a straightforward, comfortable two-couple cruising layout…

  19. Sabre 28

    The Sabre 28 was the first design for the newly-formed company. Its design goal was to build the finest 28-foot sailing yacht available, using the state of the art materials and techniques available at the time and construct the boat on a modern assembly line basis, to realize good economy and production quality.

  20. 48 Sabre Yachts Sturgeon Bay, WI

    Yacht for Sale is a 48 superyacht built by Sabre in 2024. Currently she is located in Sturgeon Bay and awaiting her new owners. Visiting From Europe? ... OTHER Sabre YACHTS FOR SALE View All. Simpatico 48' Sabre 2013 $649,000 ...

  21. Sabre 54 Salon Express

    The Sabre 51 Salon Express is designed to empower owners with seamless control and flexibility of use, blending advanced digital systems like Sabre switching and Sabre Connect for full remote access to onboard amenities. With enhanced exterior lounging areas, an expanded cockpit space, and refined interior comfort, this model redefines cruising ...

  22. Sabre 38

    Sabre 38. This model was designed by Roger Hewson and the Sabre Design Team and introduced in 1981, with 100 built before production ended in 1987. It has a length overall of 37.83 ft (11.5 m) and a waterline length of 31.17 ft (9.5 m). The fin keel version displaces 15,200 lb (6,895 kg), carries 6,400 lb (2,903 kg) of ballast and has a draft ...

  23. Sabre 42 Hard Top Express Specifications

    Detailed specifications for the Sabre 42 Hard Top Express Motor Yacht. With traditional downeast lines this motor yacht offers state of the art technology in all systems and construction techniques

  24. Motor Yachts

    Sabre's introduction of the Sabre 47 in October 1996 redefined the "Downeast" style motoryacht. At one time, a "Downeast Motoryacht" described a modified version of a workboat, converted for use as a private yacht. These designs included many famous fishing trawler and lobster boat hulls. In the 1980s several Maine yards began redesigning the traditional downeaster. In the end, only ...