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Sabre 28 3
Designer: Roger Hewson/Sabre  ·  Builder: Sabre Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Sabre 28 3

Built by Sabre Corporation during an era when the Maine-based builder was establishing its reputation for quality fiberglass construction, this 28-foot sailboat represents the company's commitment to creating seaworthy vessels suitable for New England's challenging coastal waters. Sabre's design philosophy has consistently emphasized strong construction and reliable performance over flashy innovation. While detailed specifications remain limited, the Sabre 28 3 likely shares DNA with other boats from the builder's catalog of that period, suggesting a moderate displacement hull designed for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. The "3" designation typically indicates this was the third iteration or variant of the Sabre 28 model, potentially incorporating refinements based on owner feedback and evolving design standards. Sabre boats have earned respect among sailors for their solid build quality and attention to detail, characteristics that would serve any coastal cruiser well when exploring harbors along the Eastern seaboard. The 28-foot length strikes a practical balance between manageable size for a small crew and sufficient interior volume for comfortable short-term cruising, making it an appealing choice for sailors seeking a reliable, well-built vessel from an established American manufacturer.

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 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Displacement 7,800.00 lb / 3,538 kg
Ballast 3,100.00 lb / 1,406 kg
Ballast Type Lead
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 1983
Last Built 1986
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
39.74
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
292.64
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) 16.45
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.30 ft / 3.75 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 403.00 ft² / 37.44 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Westerbeke
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 13
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 24 gals / 91 L
How It Compares

vs. Ericson 28, Laser 28, Pearson 28 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sabre 28 3 ★
28.4 ft
Ericson 28
28.5 ft
Laser 28
28.4 ft
Pearson 28 2
28.5 ft
LWL
Sabre 28 3 ★
22.8 ft
Ericson 28
24.2 ft
Laser 28
23.6 ft
Pearson 28 2
24.4 ft
Beam
Sabre 28 3 ★
9.2 ft
Ericson 28
10.5 ft
Laser 28
9.5 ft
Pearson 28 2
9.8 ft
Displacement
Sabre 28 3 ★
7 lbs
Ericson 28
7 lbs
Laser 28
3 lbs
Pearson 28 2
7 lbs
Ballast
Sabre 28 3 ★
3 lbs
Ericson 28
3 lbs
Laser 28
1 lbs
Pearson 28 2
2 lbs
Sail Area
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
422 sq ft
Laser 28
365 sq ft
Pearson 28 2
384 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
180 s/nm
Laser 28
135 s/nm
Pearson 28 2
192 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
17.7
Laser 28
23.4
Pearson 28 2
16.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sabre 28 3 ★
39.7 %
Ericson 28
40.0 %
Laser 28
Pearson 28 2
36.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
19.9
Laser 28
12.2
Pearson 28 2
20.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
2.15
Laser 28
2.40
Pearson 28 2
2.06
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sabre 28 3 ★
292
Ericson 28
237
Laser 28
Pearson 28 2
215
Hull Speed
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
6.6 kts
Laser 28
6.5 kts
Pearson 28 2
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sabre 28 3 ★
Ericson 28
2.3
Laser 28
4.5
Pearson 28 2
2.5
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