Sabre 38: Boat Review

Picture this. Sydney Heads, a stiff southeasterly wind zipping through the heads and a short swell of a few metres with some nasty wind chop thrown in for good measure. Many boats heading out may have opted to turn back rather than bash into this mess. Waiting for me in the lee of Middle Head sat the hardtop Sabre 38 Express, long and lean and like its namesake, ready to cut a swathe through any irritating seas that would cross her path. It was time for our photo shoot.

You have absolutely no idea how much fun it was for the next hour or so. With complete respect for the customer who ordered the boat, I was initially very ginger with the speed and heading. No need to beat-up a new boat and then be hunted down by the new owner and/or his wife, both wielding photographic evidence of my transgressions.

Under the floor, a pair of Volvo IPS450 drives with the forward-facing propeller pods dazzled with their power and performance, tracking the Sabre as though she was on rails. The hydraulic steering with upright helm was feather light while the electronic throttle controls drummed up endless squirts of power with a flick of the wrist.

Am I allowed to tell you: I have not had such fun driving a boat for years. And I was being paid to do it. And the fuel was free. And they brought lunch. What a gig this is!

MAINE COUSINS

Devotees of our magazine who pay attention to our edifying articles will realise that the previously tested Back Cove models and the Sabre are related in the corporate traditions of boatbuilding in Maine, USA. It is all the same company, however, the Sabres are perhaps the top of the line in the range, being detailed with high-end finishes. They call them "stick built" - piece by piece by shipwrights.

The pleasing thing about both lobster-boat ranges is that they are stylish, without the flash-in-the-pan looks from the trendsetters. They have evolved from solid and proven design concepts in construction and engineering, blending old and new in a package brimming with handsome charm. (Is this my own CV?). And they run well - fabulously well, as I have already proven. Forty years of doing it the right way, infused with Maine's proud boatbuilding heritage that dates back to 1607. It's quite a CV of their own.

The "picnic and/or lobster boat" genre has become a popular revival of old-style boating, many owners tiring of soft-top sportscruisers, particularly in foul weather or our scorching sun or becoming unbearably ugly a few short years down the track.

The hardtop Sabre 38 Express is indeed a boat for all seasons, combining the open cockpit for swimmers, fishermen, sun worshippers and the cocktail crowd, with a partially enclosed bridgedeck for those intent on navigation duties. The galley and dinette below, with a very comfortable forward island-berth cabin, offer a yacht-like cosy retreat for winter or inclement entertaining, be it in the horizontal or vertical positions.

HEY, GOOD LOOKIN'

She is, first and foremost, a very handsome boat, with a well-raked bow and straight sheer lines complemented by a gold cove line and varnished teak toerails. The almost full-length stainless steel bow and side rails enhance the stainless steel portholes, window frames and engineroom ventilators. It is all a "class act" as they say in the vernacular.

The navy-blue hull looks particularly sharp with a crème boot top and the crisp green antifouling, all blending seamlessly with the off-white superstructure and varnished teak trims. Some will moan about maintenance of teak trims but they do provide a very tasteful accent and allow a proud owner to keep things in Bristol condition. After all, a well-maintained boat speaks volumes about its owner.

A full-width swimplatform has a starboardside transom door leading to a well-considered cockpit, with convertible seating along the aft coaming and additional side seating. Add an awning and a table and lunch may be immediately served. Or you can sit back, let the skipper do all the work and watch the world whiz by, spray-free.

Moulded steps lead up either side to the sidedecks and one is almost immediately within the safe confines of the side railings. Rather smart stainless steel fairleads are let into the varnished teak toerail, while strategically positioned deck hardware will assist with a secure raft-up or mooring procedure. A Lewmar winch deals with a bowsprit-mounted CQR or Delta anchor, the central hatch accessing the chain rode and other lines. A suitable pennant on the jackstaff will definitely enhance the snappy styling.

HARDTOP HAVEN

Forward and up from the cockpit we enter what could be described as the bridgedeck or helm deck, with small sink, icemaker/fridge and wetbar area to starboard and an athwartships bench seat fronted by a collapsible table to port. Two Stidd helm chairs securely hold the skipper and mate with the three large windscreens (the centre one electrically opening) giving a panoramic view. The side windows also slide open for additional refreshment or for conversational/educational purposes with other waterway users who may be less thoughtful than you.

Focusing on your own affairs, a nicely laid out dash panel has all the controls necessary for the safe and efficient use of the boat. Our test boat was straight off the ship and had not been fitted with any electronics, however, a faux Raymarine screen (cardboard) required minimal knowledge in its use. Perfect for me. The varnished mahogany helm was vertically mounted in the traditional manner and the Teleflex steering was possibly the best I have encountered.

A large central hatch leads into the engineroom, where our pair of Swedes, Volvo's IPS450 turbo-diesels and drives with electronic EVC controls, had been doing all the work. Nearby were the 9kW Onan generator for 240V and a comprehensive package of tanks, filters, blowers and pumps as one would expect of a high-quality cruiser.

Closing the engineroom lid, the upper cockpit resumed its laid-teak splendour. This layout is quite practical, either as an entertaining or navigational layout it works very well. The cockpit guests are still connected conversationally, the guests on the upper sofa may commune either way and the skipper/mate seats can be turned to face aft when at rest.

Optional side-glass infills or clear covers may be ordered to enclose this upper cockpit, and would probably make this area quite useable in poor weather. Otherwise, a couple would use this upper sofa as a dining area.

OLD MEETS NEW

Heading down the central companionway, the main saloon blends old-world craftsmanship with contemporary design, and the American cherry timbers are warm yet bright. To port is a neat and suitably equipped galley with convection microwave, fridge-freezer, ceramic cooktop and coffee maker. A large oblong porthole will admit a welcome breeze. To starboard is an attractive L-shaped sofa and superb inlaid table, which will comfortably seat six and convert to a double bed if required. Excellent storage cupboards and electrical control panels are hidden behind stylish louvre doors.

The companionway steps open for further storage and the lower step has an inbuilt and very handy tool selection for instant use. The whole feeling of this cabin is much like a yacht and it would be a particularly cosy seduction space on a cold evening. A flatscreen TV with DVD player is set into a backlit recess, with a glass storage cabinet above. Everything is reverse cycle air-conditioned if climate control is desired. Three Lewmar hatches with screens allow natural light and air into these cabins and there is no particular feeling of claustrophobia, rather more a cosy air of warmth and safety.

To port is the head and shower, cleverly conceived and with a door to the main cabin or forward to the stateroom for en suite use. The forward cabin has a most comfortable queen-sized island bed (which I tested) set low and with lots of storage. Teak battens line the hull and teak and holly flooring is beautifully laid on the sole. The bed hinges open to reveal capacious storage with easy access. Cedar-lined hanging lockers prohibit moths escaping your wallet and devouring treasured silk shirts.

PICK YOUR SEASON

This is a boat for all seasons. The summer cockpit, spring in the upper bridgedeck, winter in the main saloon and, as for autumn, well you can just fall into the big bed and have a snooze.

Frankly, I would never convert the dining table for anyone, overstaying guests being frog-marched off with a more traditional sabre. I expect this boat to be owned by a couple who wish to enjoy the quiet luxury of their own private pad, without the intrusion of guests or children by night. They will join similar friends with their own boats, all enjoying the parties, drinks and dinners, then closing-up shop for the sanctuary such privacy brings. Bring others if you must.

All of this comfort and convenience should not divert attention from construction and seakeeping ability. Again the Sabre cuts through many of its competition. Designer Jim Taylor has seamlessly blended modern construction with knitted biaxial structural E-glass reinforcements, vacuum bagged Divinycell foam core in the hull, vinylester resins, and so on, into a deep-vee planing hull design, which I thoroughly tested with vigorous dexterity. All built to USCG, ABYC and CE category B standards for your added confidence.

Australian agent Jed Elderkin of Emarine Australia is one of the most personable and knowledgeable boat dealers about. He will lead you through the comprehensive specifications and optional extras to stamp your own style on a Sabre. Disposing of the cardboard navigation display and ordering the real thing also allows significant customisation for the techno types. I would add an iPod and a little reading material about the joys of Maine (though perhaps not in winter) to further the quite genuine feeling that you are buying something with heart and soul.

FACTS & FIGURES
SABRE 38 EXPRESS

PERFORMANCE & HANDLING

You are unlikely to be disappointed with the performance of the Sabre, particularly with the superb handling characteristics arriving from the Volvo IPS system, hurtling our 10-tonne arrow across the water at 34kts. It is quite a slick performance.

But the IPS system is no longer a stranger to our readers. The inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel in its IPS450 guise produces 330hp at 3400rpm, the twin forward-facing-propeller pods pulling the boat through the water with significant efficiency. (The 450 badge is indicative of the horses required for a shaft drive to equal the pod performance.)

Standard electronic controls are complemented by the joystick system for foolproof maneuvering which will de-stress the most overanxious skipper. Add the Sabre's tremendously competent hull and you will face Mother Nature's lesser moods brimming with confidence.

Sliding through the water at 1500rpm will see 9kts and 17lt/h, which is most agreeable for the frugal soul. A brisk and distance-consuming 16kts raises this to 57lt/h, while a fast cruise at 24kts slurps 83lt/h. Full-speed gave us a very impressive 34kts at 129lt/h. I rather liked the world slipping by at 16kts.

PRICE AS TESTED

$735,00 with options

OPTIONS FITTED

Engine IPS upgrade, dark hull colour, electronics mast on hardtop, teak helm deck, electric windscreen vent, saltwater washdown and more…

PRICED FROM

$695,000 with twin Yanmar 380hp diesel engines

GENERAL

TYPE: Deep-vee planing monohull
MATERIAL: Cored FRP construction
LENGTH OVERALL: 11.73m
BEAM: 4.2m
Draft: 1.01m
WEIGHT: 9.8 tonnes

CAPACITIES

BERTHS: 4
FUEL: 1325lt
WATER: 380lt
HOLDING TANK: 150lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL: 2 x Volvo IPS450
TYPE: Inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel
RATED HP: 330 (each)
DISPLACEMENT: 5.5lt
WEIGHT: 863kg (complete package)

SUPPLIED BY

E Marine Australia,
Roseville Bridge Marina,
15 Normac Street,
Roseville Chase, NSW, 2069
Phone: (02) 9417 8671; 0417 200 165

OUR VERDICT

The joys of traditional Sabre cruisers and yachts stand the test of time and the very strong resale values are testimony to the customer loyalty to these stylish and coveted cruisers.

Find Sabre boats for sale.