They've got a Sabre 38 on display...wow, this is a nice boat (REALLY nice brightwork in the cabin). You look at this boat and think, this is a really nice cruiser, then the Salesman tells me it is PHRF rated at 89! Now I'm two years into our Catalina 310 and we love it, and may move up someday to another Catalina, but that Sabre sure has me thinking...
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I went last sunday.
Unimpressed with the bigger hunters and catalinas. Just did'nt seem much emphasis on quality and details. The Catalina 28 and Hunter 27 were the 'best-at-show' for me. Well thought out designs, nice layouts, functional deck layouts. Seemed a reasonable value for around a 100K. The shock<sp> boats were there for the first time. Both really nice sport boats. Benetaeu and jeanneau just seemed very unimpressive for me. Did'nt seem like pride in workmanship was there at all. Tartan and C&C both had the fit and finish down pat, but just did'nt seem right for some reason. Nice to see an increase in sailboats at the show over the last few years. Still hoping to see more builders showing in the future. CharlieH
Unimpressed with the bigger hunters and catalinas. Just did'nt seem much emphasis on quality and details. The Catalina 28 and Hunter 27 were the 'best-at-show' for me. Well thought out designs, nice layouts, functional deck layouts. Seemed a reasonable value for around a 100K. The shock<sp> boats were there for the first time. Both really nice sport boats. Benetaeu and jeanneau just seemed very unimpressive for me. Did'nt seem like pride in workmanship was there at all. Tartan and C&C both had the fit and finish down pat, but just did'nt seem right for some reason. Nice to see an increase in sailboats at the show over the last few years. Still hoping to see more builders showing in the future. CharlieH
Tim, I will put Sabre at the top of the list ...
of cruising sailboats to consider for purchase when in the market for a new or used boat. I am looking forward to seeing these boats in Philly this weekend. Check out the credentials of the designer of these boats, Jim Taylor. http://www.sailboatshop.com/pages/taylor_bio.htm We have a Starwind 27 which was designed by him over 20 years ago. Performance is one aspect of our boat that I think is superior to others in the same size.
of cruising sailboats to consider for purchase when in the market for a new or used boat. I am looking forward to seeing these boats in Philly this weekend. Check out the credentials of the designer of these boats, Jim Taylor. http://www.sailboatshop.com/pages/taylor_bio.htm We have a Starwind 27 which was designed by him over 20 years ago. Performance is one aspect of our boat that I think is superior to others in the same size.
Franklin, let me say this
I like the new Hunters too! They now have chain plates that tie into the hull and not just the deck. They have rack and pinion steering which is a plus over Catalina. They are also build strong and with good hardware. The Dufour is built a cut above the standard production boat (stated by Practical Sailor) because of the foam core and other more costly production features. I believe that foam core is the way to go because it HELPS prevent core rot from water intrusion. Dufour, in my opinion, is engineered a cut better than the big three production boats. There are other things to consider besides construction. I like the layout of the Catalina 36 and Hunter 36 much better than the Dufour 36. You like the boat that best matches your needs for comfort, sailing and price. Scott, I like the Sabre too but they still have a wood core deck.
I like the new Hunters too! They now have chain plates that tie into the hull and not just the deck. They have rack and pinion steering which is a plus over Catalina. They are also build strong and with good hardware. The Dufour is built a cut above the standard production boat (stated by Practical Sailor) because of the foam core and other more costly production features. I believe that foam core is the way to go because it HELPS prevent core rot from water intrusion. Dufour, in my opinion, is engineered a cut better than the big three production boats. There are other things to consider besides construction. I like the layout of the Catalina 36 and Hunter 36 much better than the Dufour 36. You like the boat that best matches your needs for comfort, sailing and price. Scott, I like the Sabre too but they still have a wood core deck.
Droopy
I wasn't being defensive...just wanted to know the good things they did. We had one here on my dock for a month or two. It looked a bit different then other boats, especially a port low on the stern which I wasn't sure if I liked or not
I never got to see the inside.
I wasn't being defensive...just wanted to know the good things they did. We had one here on my dock for a month or two. It looked a bit different then other boats, especially a port low on the stern which I wasn't sure if I liked or not
I never got to see the inside.Franklin, I wanted to look at a Dufour 36
in South Carolina before we got our new boat. My wife said "no", she didn't like the layout. I like your 376. My friend has one and it is a good boat. I think Hunter builds a GREAT product. I really like the direction the new chief engineer is taking the company. GM should hire him.
in South Carolina before we got our new boat. My wife said "no", she didn't like the layout. I like your 376. My friend has one and it is a good boat. I think Hunter builds a GREAT product. I really like the direction the new chief engineer is taking the company. GM should hire him.
I didn't even get on the Dufour...
the sales guys were kind of snotty so I didn't bother...looks nice on the web though. Yes, I know the Sabre is much more expensive than a Catalina (at around $300,000.00 for the 38), but I still like the boat. I still also like Catalina's...for what you pay for, it still is a whole lot of boat. What I DON'T like about the Sabre is the fact that just about everything that goes on the boat is optional. And there are little things about Catalina's that I like over comparable Hunter's or Beneteau's (my two previous boats were Hunters btw). The deck hardware on our 310 is top notch and heavy duty. I have a 3 cylinder diesel on our boat (vs. the 2 on the H33 or B323)...BUT, this is not about bashing Hunter or Beneteaa (also very nice boats for the $$)...it's about how nice the brightwork looks on the Sabre. Scott: have fun at the Philly show!
the sales guys were kind of snotty so I didn't bother...looks nice on the web though. Yes, I know the Sabre is much more expensive than a Catalina (at around $300,000.00 for the 38), but I still like the boat. I still also like Catalina's...for what you pay for, it still is a whole lot of boat. What I DON'T like about the Sabre is the fact that just about everything that goes on the boat is optional. And there are little things about Catalina's that I like over comparable Hunter's or Beneteau's (my two previous boats were Hunters btw). The deck hardware on our 310 is top notch and heavy duty. I have a 3 cylinder diesel on our boat (vs. the 2 on the H33 or B323)...BUT, this is not about bashing Hunter or Beneteaa (also very nice boats for the $$)...it's about how nice the brightwork looks on the Sabre. Scott: have fun at the Philly show!
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