Sabre 34 vs S2 36....

[Shipislandpirate]

Sabre 34 vs S2 36....Semi regular live aboard...Mainly used for Great Lakes Cruising and Racing....You Tell Me....Which One and Why....The Sabre is a 79 and the S2 is an 81.....TYVM

John

[Faster]

Looking at a few on YW, I noticed that there's about a $10K difference in asking price for the S2 vs the Sabre - for similar apparent condition. Assuming that's your situation too, and it's manageable then I'd go for the S2 (condition and equipment otherwise equal)

I like the layout better, of course the extra length gives you more space but more to the point is the fact that you do not step on the galley counter as you enter the companionway. Also the offset U-dinette is nice to have in that access to the forward part of the boat is not necessarily always blocked with more than two at the table. The S2s galley is also a better work place for the galley slave, and should be more secure in a bit of motion.

The cockpits seem comparable, though again the S2 appears slightly roomier.

Sabres have always had a good name, and that's a nice looking classic boat with a traditional layout, but if you can swing the diff then I think the S2 would be more liveable, and likely a slightly better performer.

btw, you didn't mention if the S2 is the "A" or the "C" (center cockpit) model - my comments are based on the aft cockpit version. I'd expect with the center cockpit version you'd gain an illusion of privacy with some cost to spaciousness below.

Disclaimer: I've not sailed either of these boats, so keep that in mind too

[Shipislandpirate]

Faster....Thank you for your comments..Yes it is the "A" aft cockpit...I plan to spend as much time as possible living on the boat...and the added two ft may make a big difference..Now if you can just direct me to find this "galley slave" you speak of..I won't have to eat my own cooking...lol

[kwaltersmi]

I've sailed and done Wednesday night races on an S2 11.0a. My dock neighbor has a 1982 model (You can see it in the background of my avatar picture). Very nice boat with a good cruising layout for two. I think you can find more room for similar money/size if you plan to cruise with more than 2. I've always thought that anything 36' and up should offer a private aft quarters instead an open quarter berth.

They seem very well built with good hardware and nice fit-and-finish down below. However, the boat has a long-ish overhang on the bow, making it less roomy inside (shorter waterline too) than you might imagine for a 36 footer. Also, the mainsheet traveler placement is on the companionway threshold, making it somewhat of a nuisance. My neighbor upgraded his traveler hardware because the original design did not allow for easy adjustments when the sheet is loaded.

The 11.0 sails well, but doesn't quite match PHRF ratings of most newer mid-30's racer/cruisers, partly due to the long bow overhang.

Tiara Yachts has been rumored to be planning a re-entry into the sailboat market with a new small, racy S2 (possibly patterned after the 7.9). In any case, they are a company with a good reputation and I've heard they still offer a bit of support for the old S2's, including service manuals, etc.

I'm also a fan of Sabres in general and really like the 28/30/34. I think they are solidly built and have timeless good looks. I've only ever been on a 28 so I can't say much about the 34.

[welshwind]

I know nothing of the S2. I have always liked the Sabre's. I've sailed across Lake Michigan a few times on a 36 ft Sabre in some pretty tough conditions and it handled them very, very well.

As far as a center cockpit providing less room below, that is completely the opposite of my experience. I own a Beneteau 36CC. Based on my experience, typically CC have more room below as the cabin top is higher above the water line than an aft cockpit and the cockpit is typically over the engine compartment. Thus, you don't have the cockpit encroaching on the aft cabin space which provides you with wonderful headroom.