- Yachting Monthly
- Digital edition
- June 18, 2013
Yachting Monthly tests the Sabre 27
Product Overview
Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.
What’s she like to sail? She’s not as close-winded as a modern fin-keeler but can muster respectable boatspeed on passage – quicker than her twin-keeled sisters – and handles easily. We had her gybing and tacking with alacrity and both foresail and mainsail sheets can be trimmed from the helm, which boosts her appeal for solo sailors. Her deck- stepped mast is slotted into a tabernacle and can therefore be easily lowered to get her under low bridges – ideal for canal use. She sports a single-spreader rig with fore-and-aft lowers and a split backstay, setting a small genoa relative to her mainsail, which makes for easy short-tacking but means the mainsail needs reefing early to maintain the balance of sails and helm. For both comfort and performance she needs to be sailed as upright as possible, hence Ian’s rule of thumb for a maximum of 15° heel. Her mainsheet traveller runs across the bridgedeck, which is great for sail trimming but some would consider it a hazard for unwary crew in the event of an accidental gybe. It can also impede access to the cabin, but Ian has rigged snap shackles on either end of his mainsheet tackle, so he simply unclips it when moored up. This innovation can also be used for a man overboard retrieval by simply inverting the mainsheet and then using the jammer cleat at the top of the haul. What’s she like, in port and at anchor? When Alan F Hill drew the boat, way back in 1969, his brief was to create a yacht that the ‘average wage earner’ could afford, suitable for ‘a week’s cruise with the whole family’. She clearly wouldn’t cope with one of those 13-strong families we read about in the national press, but for a family of four she ticks all the boxes (although I know some families for whom murder might be on the agenda by the end of a week in such confined quarters). There’s plenty of room on the foredeck for anchor handling and the chain doesn’t impinge on the forecabin – it goes down through a hawse pipe into a forward chain locker. The sidedecks, too, are spacious enough for a crewman to get forward safely and there’s enough elbow room in the cockpit for a crew of four to relax. Better form stability than most yachts of her era means less rolling at anchor. Would she suit you and your crew? The Sabre 27 would certainly suit – as was intended 44 years ago – a small family with a modest budget. She’d make a good starter boat, a capable coast-hopper for a cruising couple, or an easily manageable singlehander. She’s got generous accommodation for her size, is easy to handle under sail or power and her thick hull lay-up will take a few hard knocks when you’re coming alongside. In short, the Sabre is a viable alternative to the benchmark Westerly Centaur and her fin-keeled variant, the Pembroke. She’d be OK if caught out in a blow, but I would hesitate to recommend her for deep-ocean or high-latitude work. For that, you’d be better off with a heavier, slimmer, deeper-bodied boat such as a Contessa 26 or Albin Vega. It’s swings and roundabouts, though, because neither can match her for living space. Having settled on a Sabre 27, how do you choose between the fin and twin-keeled versions? The former is undoubtedly faster but, surprisingly, she doesn’t seem to point much higher despite her relatively deep draught. The latter can dry out upright on a cheap half-tide mooring and is far more versatile up rivers, on canals and in shoal waters.
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The Sabre 27 Sailboat
The Sabre 27, a masthead sloop, was designed by Alan Hill and built in the UK by Marine Construction Ltd.
Published Specification for the Sabre 27
Underwater Configuration: Fin keel and skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)
Length Overall: 27' 0" / 8.2m
Waterline Length: 22' 2" / 6.8m
Beam: 9' 0" / 2.7m
Draft: 4' 6" / 1.4m
Rig Type: Masthead Sloop
Displacement: 6,800lb / 3,084kg
Designer: Alan Hill
Builder: Marine Construction Ltd (UK)
Year First Built: 1969
Year Last Built: 1979
Number Built: 400
Owners Association: Sabre 27 Owners' Association
Published Design Ratios for the Sabre 27
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.3
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 45.6
Displacement/Length Ratio: 279
Comfort Ratio: 23.8
Capsize Screening Formula:
read more about these all-revealing numbers...
Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Sabre 27
A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.3 suggests that she'll need a stiff breeze to get her going. In any other conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing will be the way to go.
A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 45.6 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.
A Displacement/Length Ratio of 279, tells us she's clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but will come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 23.8 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.
Her Capsize Screening Formula of 1.9 tells us that she would be a better choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making than one with a CS rating of more than 2.0.
The Sabre 27 Sailboat: An Article
The Sabre 27 is a British design that has been around since 1969 and still has a loyal following of owners and enthusiasts. In this article, we will give you an overview of the Sabre 27, its accommodation, hull and deck, mast and rigging, keel and rudder, and some of the options and variations that are available. We hope this will help you decide if the Sabre 27 is the right boat for you.
Overview The Sabre 27 was designed by Alan F Hill, a naval architect who also created the popular Westerly Centaur and Longbow. The prototype was built in 1969 by Eric White of Marine Construction (UK) Ltd. (Marcon), who produced about 400 hulls until 1982. After Marcon went into liquidation, the moulds were bought by Brue Yachts of Highbridge, Somerset, who made a few more boats until the early 1990s.
The Sabre 27 is a sloop-rigged cruiser with a moderate displacement of about 3.5 tonnes and a generous beam of 2.8 metres. She has a length overall of 8.2 metres and a waterline length of 6.4 metres. She draws 1.4 metres with a fin keel or 1.1 metres with twin bilge keels. She has a spacious cockpit with a tiller steering and a bridgedeck-mounted mainsheet traveller. She can accommodate up to six people in two cabins, with a separate head compartment and a galley.
The Sabre 27 is not as close-winded as a modern fin-keeler but can muster respectable boat speed on passage – quicker than her twin-keeled sisters – and handles easily. She has a deck-stepped mast that can be easily lowered for canal use. She sports a single-spreader rig with fore-and-aft lowers and a split backstay, setting a small genoa relative to her mainsail. She has a solid GRP hull with no core material and a GRP deck with a balsa core.
The Sabre 27 is a boat that appeals to sailors who value simplicity, practicality, and affordability over luxury, speed, and sophistication. She is a boat that can take you places without breaking the bank or requiring too much maintenance. She is a boat that has stood the test of time and still has a lot to offer.
Accommodation The Sabre 27 has a surprisingly roomy interior for her size, thanks to her wide beam and good form stability. She can sleep up to six people in two cabins: two in the fore-cabin, two in the saloon settees (one of which converts to a double berth), and two in the quarter berth aft of the navigation station.
The accommodation is finished in teak veneer with blue upholstery. The headroom is about 1.8 metres in the saloon and 1.6 metres in the fore-cabin. The cabin is well-ventilated by opening hatches and portlights, and well-lit by overhead lights and reading lights. The cabin is heated by a gas heater mounted on the forward bulkhead.
The Sabre 27 offers a comfortable and cozy living space for a small family or a couple with occasional guests. She has enough storage space for cruising gear and provisions, and enough amenities for basic cooking and washing. She is not a luxury yacht, but she is a home away from home.
Hull and Deck The Sabre 27 has a solid GRP hull with no core material, which makes her strong and durable. The hull shape is round-bilged with a moderate flare at the bow and a slight tumblehome at the stern. The hull has a white gelcoat finish with a blue cove line and boot top.
The deck is made of GRP with a balsa core, which makes it light and stiff. The deck has a moulded non-slip pattern and a teak toe rail. The deck fittings include stainless steel bow and stern pulpits, stanchions and guardrails, mooring cleats, fairleads, bow roller, anchor locker, chainplates, genoa tracks and cars, winches, cleats, clutches, halyard organisers, vents, dorade boxes, handrails, and cockpit coamings. The deck has a white gelcoat finish with blue stripes.
The cockpit is spacious and comfortable, with a tiller steering and a bridgedeck-mounted mainsheet traveller. The cockpit seats are long enough to lie down on, and have lockers under them for storage. The cockpit also has a gas locker, a lazarette, and a stern locker. The cockpit drains through two large scuppers. The cockpit is protected by a sprayhood and a dodger.
The Sabre 27 has a well-built and well-equipped hull and deck that can handle various sea conditions and provide safety and convenience for the crew. She has a classic and attractive appearance that reflects her heritage and character.
Mast and Rigging The Sabre 27 has a deck-stepped mast that can be easily lowered for canal use. The mast is made of aluminium alloy and has a single set of spreaders. The mast is supported by stainless steel standing rigging that includes forestay, backstay (split), cap shrouds, lower shrouds (fore-and-aft), and intermediate shrouds. The mast also has internal halyards for the mainsail and the genoa.
The Sabre 27 has a sloop rig with a small genoa relative to her mainsail. The genoa is set on a roller furling system that allows easy reefing and stowing. The mainsail is set on a boom with slab reefing and lazyjacks. The mainsail has two or three reefing points, depending on the sailmaker. The sails are made of Dacron or similar material. The Sabre 27 has a simple and efficient rig that can be easily handled by one or two people. She has enough sail area to give her good performance in light to moderate winds, but also enough reefing options to cope with stronger winds. She has a balanced helm that responds well to sail trimming.
Keel and Rudder The Sabre 27 has two keel options: a fin keel or twin bilge keels. The fin keel is made of cast iron and has a ballast ratio of about 40%. The fin keel draws 1.4 metres and gives the boat better upwind performance and manoeuvrability. The twin bilge keels are also made of cast iron and have a ballast ratio of about 35%. The twin bilge keels draw 1.1 metres and allow the boat to dry out on tidal moorings or beaches.
The Sabre 27 has a spade rudder that is hung on a stainless steel stock. The rudder is made of GRP with foam core. The rudder is steered by a tiller that is connected to the stock by a universal joint. The tiller has an extension that can be used for better visibility or comfort.
The Sabre 27 has a keel and rudder configuration that suits different sailing preferences and locations. She can be sailed in shallow waters or deep waters, in tidal areas or non-tidal areas, with ease and confidence.
Options and Variations The Sabre 27 has some options and variations that can make her more suitable for different sailors or purposes. Some of these are:
- Owner's version: This version has a larger fore-cabin with more storage space and an enclosed heads compartment. The saloon settee on the port side is shortened to make room for the heads door. This version sacrifices some sleeping space for more privacy and comfort.
- Charter version: This version has more sleeping space by converting the navigation station into another quarterberth. The chart table is moved to the starboard side of the saloon, where it can be folded down when not in use. This version sacrifices some working space and storage space for more sleeping space.
- Engine options: The Sabre 27 was originally fitted with a Volvo Penta MD2B 25 hp diesel engine with a shaft drive and a fixed two-bladed propeller. Later models had a Volvo Penta 2002 18 hp diesel engine with a saildrive and a folding two-bladed propeller. Some owners have replaced the original engine with a Beta Marine 20 hp diesel engine with a shaft drive and a three-bladed propeller.
- Mast height options: The Sabre 27 has two mast height options: standard or tall. The standard mast is about 10.5 metres high and has a sail area of about 39 square metres. The tall mast is about 11.5 metres high and has a sail area of about 43 square metres. The tall mast gives the boat more power in light winds, but also more heel and weather helm in strong winds.
The Sabre 27 has some options and variations that can make her more suitable for different sailors or purposes. Some of these are based on the original design, while others are based on modifications made by owners or builders. The Sabre 27 is a versatile boat that can be adapted to different needs and preferences.
The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.
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Sabre 27 hill
The sabre 27 hill is a 27.0ft masthead sloop designed by alan hill and built in fiberglass by marine construction ltd. (uk) between 1969 and 1979., 400 units have been built..
The Sabre 27 hill is a moderate weight sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser.
Sabre 27 hill for sale elsewhere on the web:
Main features
Model | Sabre 27 hill | ||
Length | 27 ft | ||
Beam | 9 ft | ||
Draft | 4.50 ft | ||
Country | United Kingdom (Europe) | ||
Estimated price | $ 0 | ?? |
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Sail area / displ. | 14.31 | ||
Ballast / displ. | 45.59 % | ||
Displ. / length | 278.59 | ||
Comfort ratio | 23.83 | ||
Capsize | 1.90 |
Hull type | Monohull fin keel with rudder on skeg | ||
Construction | Fiberglass | ||
Waterline length | 22.17 ft | ||
Maximum draft | 4.50 ft | ||
Displacement | 6800 lbs | ||
Ballast | 3100 lbs | ||
Hull speed | 6.31 knots |
We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt
Rigging | Masthead Sloop | ||
Sail area (100%) | 320 sq.ft | ||
Air draft | 0 ft | ?? | |
Sail area fore | 0 sq.ft | ?? | |
Sail area main | 0 sq.ft | ?? | |
I | 0 ft | ?? | |
J | 0 ft | ?? | |
P | 0 ft | ?? | |
E | 0 ft | ?? |
Nb engines | 1 | ||
Total power | 12 HP | ||
Fuel capacity | 0 gals |
Accommodations
Water capacity | 0 gals | ||
Headroom | 0 ft | ||
Nb of cabins | 0 | ||
Nb of berths | 0 | ||
Nb heads | 0 |
Builder data
Builder | Marine Construction Ltd. (UK) | ||
Designer | Alan Hill | ||
First built | 1969 | ||
Last built | 1979 | ||
Number built | 400 |
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LENGTH: Traditionally, LOA (length over all) equaled hull length. Today, many builders use LOA to include rail overhangs, bowsprits, etc. and LOD (length on deck) for hull length. That said, LOA may still mean LOD if the builder is being honest and using accepted industry standards developed by groups like the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council).
The Sabre 27 would certainly suit - as was intended 44 years ago - a small family with a modest budget. She'd make a good starter boat, a capable coast-hopper for a cruising couple, or an easily manageable singlehander. She's got generous accommodation for her size, is easy to handle under sail or power and her thick hull lay-up will ...
The Sabre 27 has two keel options: a fin keel or twin bilge keels. The fin keel is made of cast iron and has a ballast ratio of about 40%. The fin keel draws 1.4 metres and gives the boat better upwind performance and manoeuvrability. The twin bilge keels are also made of cast iron and have a ballast ratio of about 35%.
The Sabre 27 hill is a 27.0ft masthead sloop designed by Alan Hill and built in fiberglass by Marine Construction Ltd. (UK) between 1969 and 1979. ... The data on this page has been derived from different sources but a significant part is attributed to sailboatdata.com. We thank them for their encouragements and friendly collaboration.
The Sabre 27 was designed by Alan F. Hill and the prototype was built in 1969 by Eric White of Marine Construction (UK) Ltd (Marcon). Between 1969 and 1979 some 400 hulls were moulded. The moulds are still in existence and are owned by Brue Yachts of Highbridge, Somerset. Modifications to the prototype were few.
Sabre 27. Designed by Alan Hill in 1969, the Sabre was a popular small cruiser with a good combination of performance and accommodation. Draught. The Sabre offers good accommodation, with 6' headroom in the saloon on a 27 ft hull. Both fin and skeg and twin bilge keels were offered. Both had an excellent ballast ratio.
Fin keel. The Sabre 27 is equipped with a fin keel. A boat with a fin keel is more manoeuvrable but has less directional stability than a similar boat with a full keel. The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 1.37 - 1.47 meter (4.49 - 4.79 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
Sabre 27 (Hill) is a 27′ 0″ / 8.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Alan F. Hill and built by Marine Construction Ltd. between 1969 and 1979. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts. ... Source: sailboatdata.com / CC BY. Embed ...
The Sabre 27 was designed by Alan F Hill and the prototype was built in 1969 by Eric White of Marine Construction (UK) Ltd. (Marcon). Between 1969 and approximately 1982 some 400 hulls were moulded. When the Marcon went into liquidation the moulds were bought by Brue Yachts of Highbridge, Somerset who made a few boats until the early 1990's.
The Sabre 27 produced by the builder Marine Projects and designed by Alan F. Hill, is a cabin cruiser for cruise, rigged Sloop ... read more on Sailing The Web, the ultimate sailboat database.
Yachtsnet information about the Sabre 27; SailboatData.com information about the Sabre 27; UK Sailing Index; Practical Boat Owner; Practical Sailor (USA version of PBO) Weather & Tides. One and three day descriptive forecasts; Met Office Synoptic charts; Class Associations. Trident Owners Association; Don Robertson's Marine Marketplace
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 ...
Sabre Sailing Yachts. Our three sailboat models are described in the following pages: the Sabre Spirit, the Sabre 426, and the Sabre 456. You will find detailed data as well as interior and exterior images; you can request additional information about any of these designs; or you will find contact information for the dealer nearest you. Sabre ...
27 Freedom 38 Boston, MA Jul 23, 2019 #6 One difference: the interior of the Sabre 30 is "stick built," whereas the Catalina 30 is "pan built." ... From the sailboat data site. "As of 2012, Sabre ended production of sailing yachts though they have said it could be restored should the market improve".
Image upload Sabre 27. All our reviews are 100% dependent of the illustrations and specific data elements we have in our database. In our reviews we would like to illustrate the following: The boat as such; The saloon; The galley; The toilet; The cockpit; For sailboats: The keel;
1974 Marcon Sabre 27 Location: Laid up ashore near Farnham, Surrey Present owner since 1975 Bilge keel, draft 3ft 6 berth, Full standing head room Gas cooker, sink and cool store, heads, chart table Beeta 10 diesel engine, professionally installed, new and unused since installation at a cost of £5,000+ Storm jib, working jib, main sail and genoa all in good condition Standing and running ...
Sabre 27 Owners Web site. Source: sailboatdata.com / CC BY. Suggest Improvements 1 Sailboat Sailboat. Sabre 27 (Hill) 1969 • 27 ...
Sabre 27 Owners Association
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. ... Source: sailboatdata.com / CC BY. Suggest Improvements 22 sailboats built by Sabre Yachts. Sailboat. Sabre 28-2. 1976 • 28 ′ 4 ″ / 8.7 m Sailboat ...
Our test boat was a 1992 Sabre 34 Mark II. Hull number 430, the wing-keel boat was the last hull built. It is owned by Alan Pressman, a Sarasota, Fla.-based regional dealer for Sabre. In 12 to 15 knots of wind, the boat required minimal effort to steer-and sailed herself for much of the time.
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Buy sailing boats Sabre 27. DailyBoats.com offers a selection of sailing boats Sabre 27 for sale , with prices ranging from £3,352 for basic models to £12,401 for the most expensive. These yachts come in a range of sizes, ranging from 26.9 ft to 27.4 ft, with the oldest one built in 1969. This page showcases Sabre boats located in United ...
Sabre 27 Owners Association Community - FORUM HOME. It is currently Sun Aug 18, 2024 8:31 pm. Forum. Topics. Posts. Last post. General Discussion. This forum is for members general information exchange. You must register with name and valid e-mail address before being able to post a message.
LENGTH: Traditionally, LOA (length over all) equaled hull length. Today, many builders use LOA to include rail overhangs, bowsprits, etc. and LOD (length on deck) for hull length. That said, LOA may still mean LOD if the builder is being honest and using accepted industry standards developed by groups like the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council).