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Sabre 28 2
Designer: Roger Hewson/Sabre  ·  Builder: Sabre Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Sabre 28 2

Building on Sabre Yachts' reputation for quality construction and thoughtful design, this 28-footer represents the evolution of the company's popular compact cruiser line. Sabre's commitment to balancing performance with comfort shines through in this model, which targets sailors seeking a capable boat for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The design emphasizes the practical sailing characteristics that Sabre became known for throughout the 1980s and beyond. With its moderate displacement and well-proportioned sail plan, the boat offers predictable handling that appeals to both experienced sailors and those growing into larger vessels. The hull form strikes a balance between stability and performance, making it suitable for day sailing, extended coastal passages, and light offshore work. Sabre's attention to interior layout and construction quality is evident throughout, with thoughtful use of space typical of the builder's approach to small cruisers. The boat accommodates comfortable short-term cruising while maintaining the responsive sailing characteristics that make longer passages enjoyable rather than endured. This model represents solid value in the used boat market, offering Sabre's respected build quality in a manageable size for sailors seeking their next step up in cruising capability.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.42 ft / 8.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.83 ft / 6.96 m
Beam 9.17 ft / 2.80 m
Max Draft 4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Displacement 7,900.00 lb / 3,583 kg
Ballast 2,900.00 lb / 1,315 kg
Headroom 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Roger Hewson/Sabre
Builder Sabre Yachts (USA)
First Built 1976
Last Built 1982
Number Built 320
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
36.71
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
296.39
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 4.49 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.90
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.30 ft / 3.75 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 393.00 ft² / 36.51 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Volvo
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 13
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
How It Compares

vs. Ericson 28, Hunter 285, Irwin 28 Mk Iv, Pearson 28 2, Sabre 28 3

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sabre 28 2 ★
28.4 ft
Ericson 28
28.5 ft
Hunter 285
28.4 ft
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
28.4 ft
Pearson 28 2
28.5 ft
Sabre 28 3
28.4 ft
LWL
Sabre 28 2 ★
22.8 ft
Ericson 28
24.2 ft
Hunter 285
23.8 ft
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
23.0 ft
Pearson 28 2
24.4 ft
Sabre 28 3
22.8 ft
Beam
Sabre 28 2 ★
9.2 ft
Ericson 28
10.5 ft
Hunter 285
10.5 ft
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
9.0 ft
Pearson 28 2
9.8 ft
Sabre 28 3
9.2 ft
Displacement
Sabre 28 2 ★
7 lbs
Ericson 28
7 lbs
Hunter 285
7 lbs
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
7 lbs
Pearson 28 2
7 lbs
Sabre 28 3
7 lbs
Ballast
Sabre 28 2 ★
2 lbs
Ericson 28
3 lbs
Hunter 285
3 lbs
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
3 lbs
Pearson 28 2
2 lbs
Sabre 28 3
3 lbs
Sail Area
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
422 sq ft
Hunter 285
398 sq ft
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
377 sq ft
Pearson 28 2
384 sq ft
Sabre 28 3
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
180 s/nm
Hunter 285
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
Pearson 28 2
192 s/nm
Sabre 28 3
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
17.7
Hunter 285
17.5
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
15.4
Pearson 28 2
16.8
Sabre 28 3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sabre 28 2 ★
36.7 %
Ericson 28
40.0 %
Hunter 285
42.9 %
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
Pearson 28 2
36.4 %
Sabre 28 3
39.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
19.9
Hunter 285
18.8
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
26.2
Pearson 28 2
20.1
Sabre 28 3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
2.15
Hunter 285
2.20
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
1.82
Pearson 28 2
2.06
Sabre 28 3
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sabre 28 2 ★
296
Ericson 28
237
Hunter 285
233
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
Pearson 28 2
215
Sabre 28 3
292
Hull Speed
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
6.6 kts
Hunter 285
6.5 kts
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
6.4 kts
Pearson 28 2
6.6 kts
Sabre 28 3
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sabre 28 2 ★
Ericson 28
2.3
Hunter 285
2.4
Irwin 28 Mk Iv
1.7
Pearson 28 2
2.5
Sabre 28 3
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