[Jeff_H]

First of all, the keel version of Sabre is a considerably faster boat than the Bristol 38.8 or wildly faster than the 40 especially in lighter winds. This means that you might spend less time motoring and more time sailing with the Sabre 38 mk 2. While none of the boats is a light weight the Sabre is about 3000 lbs lighter than the 38.8 and and also lighter than the 40 as well making it easier to handle and also meaning that there should be lighter loads on the steering and various control lines.

In terms of build quality, the Sabre should be better built than the Bristol 40s but a slight step below the 38.8.

The Bristol 38.8 is a nice boat both in terms of finish work and build quality. If I was looking for a boat to go offshore with and this was your question the Bristol 38.8 might edge out the others.

I don''t recommend the 40 for what you are proposing.

Jeff