Bluewaterdreamer, I respectfully disagree with Debonair regarding construction quality of the Sabre vs Tartan. I''ve researched both vessels for the past five years and just ordered a new Tartan 3700 based on my findings. I think Debonair may have run into some issues with his local dealer? Not sure, (reading between the
lines) but that''s the problem I found with Tartan here on Cape Cod. They were represented by a dealer that sold other boats and even though I was strictly interested in the Tartan 3700, I was shown boats that I realy had no inclination toward. A broker even went as far as to show me a Wauquiez 40 (try to pronounce it)and tell me it was a step up from a Tartan! It was a nice boat and had some great features but the workmanship down below was not even close to that of the Tartan. At any rate, now Tartan has started to market their boats through factory dealerships that market only Tartans and C&C. They are regionally located and each Tartan dealership has access to the best local marine resources in their area for aftermarket add-ons and commissioning. (I sound like an ad for Tartan but that''s not the case.)Tartan''s
epoxy hull and carbon fiber mast are definitely a step above the traditonal production boat construction process. They are committed totally to sailboats and not split between power and sail, as is Sabre. Either way they''re both great boats and I don''t think you''ll go wrong with one or the other. My friend has a Sabre 362 and we raced on it Wednesday nights. In my mind though, after having been through three previous dealer related boat buying experiences, the commissioning and dealer relationship is what makes or breaks a mutually beneficial purchase. It should be a win/win situation for buyer and dealer. That''s what you should look for besides buying a great boat. Larry
