Sabre 38 Mk II Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Hull Character

Hewson approached the 38 with an eye toward proportion and purpose that resists easy dating. The bow carries a fine entry with a modest overhang that sacrifices a fraction of flat-water speed in exchange for genuine elegance. The sheer is just enough to soften the modern look without being coy about it, and the reverse transom flows naturally into the deck line. Below the waterline, the forefoot carries some bite before trailing into a swept-back fin keel, giving the boat its characteristic grip upwind. The Mk II was offered in both a standard deep-draft fin keel and an optional keel-centerboard arrangement. At the stern, aft sections are not flattened out — a builder's temptation the Sabre team resisted — preserving a more comfortable motion in a seaway. The semi-balanced rudder is placed well aft, contributing to steering authority rather than detracting from it. The mast is stepped a bit farther forward than was common for the era, a forward-thinking arrangement that supports lively performance in moderate air without requiring an oversized genoa.

Construction and Materials

Sabre built to a standard that rewarded scrutiny. Early Mk I hulls used solid fiberglass, while most Mk IIs received balsa-cored hulls for reduced weight without sacrificing stiffness. Both generations use end-grain balsa-cored decks, with solid laminate or plywood reinforcing high-load areas. Hull and deck are joined on a flange, through-bolted and chemically bonded, with a teak caprail concealing the joint. Bulkheads and facings are securely tabbed to the hull, and the internal fiberglass work is genuinely superb — something a careful inspection of the bilge and keel area will confirm. Stout floors support the hull structure, and the external ballast attaches via stainless steel keel bolts supported by a reinforced glass fillet. These are not the marks of a production shortcut.

Rig, Cockpit, and Handling

On deck, the Sabre 38 is organized for sailing rather than entertaining. The T-shaped cockpit is wide and functional, with the foot well angled at the edges for support when heeled. Visibility from the helm is excellent, and the primaries are reachable with a stretch. A bridgedeck of substantial depth, combined with the cabintop extending just aft of the companionway on each side, creates a protected perch while underway. Headsail tracks are set well inboard for tight sheeting angles. The mainsheet traveler is located forward of the companionway — a nod to cockpit comfort at some cost to sailing efficiency. Side decks are wide and easy to navigate, one of the boat's most practical features.

Under sail, the boat earns its reputation. Owners describe a boat that accelerates in a gentle puff and keeps its momentum in chop, balancing easily and responding to small helm corrections. Sabre designed it to carry a full main and genoa to 14 knots of breeze; beyond that, the boat sails best with sail reduced. Hard on the wind it is close-winded and tracks well, though it carries a pinch of weather helm in a blow. It is somewhat tender and heels early — the signal to reef. Downwind, the 38 surfs more readily than its displacement suggests, and the aft-mounted rudder maintains control through it. The model has won class honors in the Bermuda Race and performed credibly in Pacific downwind events.

Accommodations

Below decks, the Mk II's most significant departure from the Mk I is the addition of a private aft cabin abaft the galley, a meaningful change for couples or families. That cabin includes a double berth and a small hanging locker. The Mk II relocates the head aft to starboard, incorporating a wet locker, while the forward cabin gains a dressing seat with vanity and sink. The forward berth is long enough for two adults to sleep comfortably. The saloon is finished in teak throughout — some will find it dark below, though the aesthetic is of a piece with other Maine-built yachts of the period. A large bulkhead-mounted table folds away to open the saloon. The galley to port is spacious and practical with double forward-facing sinks, a full cooker, and a decent ice box. The nav station, positioned to starboard facing aft, is small and takes a bite from the settee — the one obvious accommodation compromise.

Known Issues and What to Inspect

The Mk II is a well-sorted boat, but diligence at survey pays dividends. Leaky chainplates and portlights are known vulnerabilities. The mast step deserves close attention. Deck delamination is possible, particularly in older examples, and a surveyor should probe the deck thoroughly. Mk I hulls built during the blister era may have osmotic issues; later Mk IIs are less susceptible but an epoxy barrier coat history is worth verifying. The optional centerboard arrangement on centerboard models requires careful inspection of the board and its lifting gear — a system that can become neglected over decades. Standing and running rigging age on any schedule, and on a boat that sails as hard as this one, updating these items is always more expensive than expected.

The standard three-cylinder, 33-horsepower Westerbeke diesel is durable and offers excellent access for a boat of this size, though it is not among the more desirable engine choices. A single aluminum tank holds 45 gallons — adequate for coastal sailing, limiting for extended passages.

The Verdict

The Sabre 38 Mk II is the product of a builder and a design team that understood what a sailboat should be. It is a boat you will want as your last boat. Hewson's proportions have held up without apology, the construction quality rewards long ownership, and the sailing performance puts most peers squarely in the shade. The compromises are real but manageable: a small nav station, modest tankage, and a slightly tender heel response that demands attentive sail trim. For a buyer willing to spend on survey, rigging, and any deferred maintenance, the Mk II represents the right kind of investment.

Pros

Elegant, time-resistant hull design with strong upwind and downwind performance
Superb construction quality; well-tabbed interior structure and robust keel attachment
Private aft cabin in the Mk II layout — rare at this length
Wide, walkable side decks and an ergonomically sound cockpit
Proven offshore record in both upwind and downwind distance races

Cons