Conference unifix::sailing

    Sabres are reputed to be an excellent boat.  I have some friends
    who have a 34 (or maybe 36) and swear by it.  I also know people who
    work for other boat builders and have high praise for them.
    I think you have an excellent boat in mind.
    
    Vic

    I just finished a sail on a friend's Sabre 36. It's a very nice
    boat indeed, and one of the best-sailing cruising boats I've ever
    been on; certainly it's the most close-winded. The 36 is well built,
    with good storage, and well equippped. I've also sailed the older
    Sabre 28 and thought that a good boat. Excellent choice, probably
    the best production boat in its price range.
    
    Ross Faneuf
    

I was favorably impressed by the Sabre 34 I crewed aboard on a trip down 
East. It was well built and sailed well. The only thing I really didn't 
like about the boat was the lack of flare to the hull forward. When 
beating into a chop, copious spray and even solid water blew over the 
top of the dodger into the cockpit.

But the usual question: Given the depressed state of the sailing yacht 
market and the many, many used boats available, why a new Sabre? I'm 
sure that there are quite a few used ones available at considerably less 
than the cost of a new boat.

    I used to work for the company that builds the rig 
    for the SABRE 30 -- very sturdy.  
    
    re .3

    I second that.  A well-maintained used boat
    is the way to go.  The bugs are worked out, and you'll
    save a significant amount of money.  Just have any prospective
    boat surveyed.

    SABRE IS WELL BUILT/DESIGNED ETC. BUT VERY OVERPRICED...THE OLD
    ROGER HEWSON MYSTIQUE.  SEEMS LIKE THEY'VE SLACKED THEIR QUALITY
    A BIT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.  FOR THE SAME MONEY I'D RATHER CON-
    SIDER A USED HINKLEY PILOT OR A SHABBY BUT SOUND BERMUDA 40.  THERE
    IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEW GLITTER AND REAL CLASS...IT COSTS NO
    MORE.  IN A NEW COMPARABLE BOAT I'D SAVE A FEW BUCKS AND SEE WHAT
    ERICKSON HAS TO OFFER.
    
    MERRILL

    
    Unfortunately the cost of ALL new boats has skyrockted over the
    past few years, due mostly to the increased cost of materials.
    A lot of people have been playing an "equity game" similar to the 
    real estate version, moving up into bigger boats every few years,
    add to this the current depressed sailboat market and I think you'll
    find a lot of good deals on the used boat market. Sabre's are well
    built boats, though their business has really taken a sharp drop
    in the past year or two and they are hurting (might be able to make
    some good deals). If you feel you really want to go new, and you're
    looking for a cruising boat (I don't mean slow or poor sailing)
    you owe it to yourself to check out Morris Yachts, Southwest Harbor,Me.
    (207-244-5500, ask for Rob Knoll) They build semi-custom 26', 28' 30' 
    36' & 42' boats of a somewhat traditional, Chuck Paine design. They
    are great people to deal with, and stand behind their product. The
    boats are written up in Ferenc Mate's "Best Boats to Build or Buy"
    and are of very rugged though not overly heavy construction, and
    very seaworthy. You deal with the builder, no middle men, and they
    do maintain a list of used boats (mostly Morris) for sale. They
    also welcome visits, which is a real treat/learning experience in
    and of itself.  Most important, enjoy the process and don't be too
    quick to jump !  If it's used - FIND A GOOD SURVEYOR - a MUST !!!!
    Have fun !
    
    	John
    

>>>   .... check out Morris Yachts, Southwest Harbor,Me.
>>>  (207-244-5500, ask for Rob Knoll) They build semi-custom 26', 28' 30' 
>>>  36' & 42' boats of a somewhat traditional, Chuck Paine design. 

Nice boats, but far from inexpensive. I've seen a 32' (used) advertised 
for $125 000 (!). Even semi-custom costs more than production.

    
    Alan,
    	Last time I talked with them(4 months ago), a new Morris 32
    "listed" for around 95k. Many buyers do load them to the gunwales
    with expensive ("only the best") gear though, so it's not
    inconcievable!  My point was if you're looking at higher quality
    boats, one could get into a basic Morris boat for nearly the same.
    You also have a lot more flexibility in layout, rig, fitting-out,
    etc. which could be worth quite a bit. What's a new Tartan 33(now 34?) 
    go for these days ? 
    
    jf
    
    

re .8:

Ah, but I consider even $95 000 for a basic 32' boat far too much, 
especially given the current state of the used boat market. There are 
used boats available with an overall quality comparable to a Morris for 
substantially less. If a Morris 32' lists for $95 000, reasonably 
equipped it will be a $110 000 investment. Er, expense. There are many 
reasons for buying a new boat, but (I suggest) rationality usually isn't 
one of them. Rationales yes, rationality no. 

signed,

He who bought a new boat nine years ago (but wouldn't again)

    Thanks for all the reponses.......
    
    Rationales, yes  -  rationality, no. That's for sure. The point
    made earlier about the availability of good used boats on the market
    is certainly valid - I have a good used boat now. I guess the bottom
    line is the time necessary to first, sell my present boat (could
    be awhile) and secondly, search for a reasonably sound used boat
    that meets my requirements could be significant. (Yep, I can rationlize
    with the best of them.)  Anyway, my research in the past two weeks
    has proven to my satisifaction that about 99.99% of the Sabre owners
    are VERY happy with their boats and that the trade-in/discount offered
    along with better financing terms makes the Sabre a reasonably
    attractive deal. I did talk to the Morris Yachts folks, I was impressed
    with the quality but they are definitely beyond my price range.
    
    So, in the immortal words of that great philosopher (whatever his
    name was) "I shall pay the price but not count the cost".