Sabre 38 Mk II Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Mk II improved substantially on the Mk I interior, and most examples on the brokerage market reflect a layout that prioritizes separation and privacy for short-handed offshore passages. The defining change from the original is a private aft cabin to port, tucked behind the galley, offering a double berth and a hanging locker — a meaningful upgrade for couples who want a dedicated sleeping space away from the main saloon. The head moves aft to starboard in this arrangement, which creates a generous wet locker but compresses the nav station somewhat; the chart table is smaller than on the Mk I and faces aft, which some navigators find awkward. The forward cabin in the Mk II is well-sized for two adults, with a dressing seat, vanity, and hanging locker rounding out a genuinely liveable forward stateroom. The saloon is classic Sabre — teak joinery throughout, a bulkhead-mounted table over a storage rack, and C-shaped settees with softened, rounded ends. Some buyers find the teak interior dark; others consider it one of the finest production interiors of the era. A small number of examples may appear with the older Mk I open quarterberth arrangement, so it is worth confirming which version is on offer. The Mk II also produced a handful of centerboard variants, which offer shoal-water access at the cost of additional mechanical complexity in the lifting gear.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Electronics suites on used Sabre 38 Mk IIs typically reflect the upgrades owners have layered on over years of active use. Chartplotters, radar, and autopilots are commonly fitted — the autopilot in particular tends to be a priority given how well the boat performs short-handed. Dinghy davits appear frequently on examples that have seen liveaboard or extended cruising use. Owners who have sailed these boats seriously tend to have invested in communication and safety gear, so SSB radios, EPIRBs, and life raft arrangements are often present, though ages and certifications vary and should be verified independently. Running rigging is a common owner upgrade area; given the production years involved, many boats have seen one or more full rerig cycles, and the condition and age of standing rigging should always be assessed independently. Sails vary widely — some owners have invested in newer inventories including furling headsails and full-batten mains, while others sail with older suits that will need replacement sooner rather than later. The standard below-decks fuel tank holds enough diesel for coastal passages but owners planning extended offshore work have sometimes added supplementary tankage.

What to Inspect

A thorough survey is non-negotiable on any Sabre 38 Mk II, and several areas warrant particular attention. Most Mk IIs were built with balsa-cored hulls, while early examples may be solid fiberglass — decks on both generations are end-grain balsa cored, with solid laminate or plywood backing in high-load areas. Delamination in the deck is a known concern and a surveyor should probe carefully, particularly around hardware and chainplate penetrations. Leaking chainplates and portlights are items specifically flagged on the 38, and chainplate bedding should be inspected carefully for water intrusion that may have tracked into surrounding structure. The mast step deserves close attention, as do the floors and keel-to-hull junction — the external ballast is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, and any signs of rust weeping or movement at the keel flange are serious findings. Epoxy barrier coat history on the bottom is relevant on older examples, as these boats were produced during a period when osmotic blistering was common in production fiberglass; confirm whether the hull has had a proper blister remediation and epoxy barrier system applied. On centerboard variants, the board itself and the lifting mechanism require careful evaluation — these components are expensive to repair and failure modes are not always obvious. The Westerbeke diesel is a durable unit with good access, but engine hours and service records should be reviewed honestly; the standard fuel arrangement provides adequate range for coastal use but may be marginal for ocean passages. Standing and running rigging, sails, and all through-hulls should be assessed on their own merits regardless of what the listing describes.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Sabre 38 Mk II circulates primarily in the United States market, with the strongest concentration along the East Coast and in New England — fitting for a boat built in Maine with a devoted following among serious sailors in that region. Occasional examples appear in the Great Lakes and on the West Coast. This is not a boat that turns up in large numbers at any one time; the limited total production run means patience is part of the search, and condition and maintenance history vary more than price alone will suggest.

When evaluating a candidate, work through this checklist before making an offer:

• Survey by a surveyor with documented experience on balsa-cored production boats of this era
• Confirm hull construction type (solid vs. balsa-cored) and obtain deck moisture meter readings
• Inspect chainplates and portlight bedding for evidence of water intrusion
• Check mast step and keel-bolt area for corrosion or movement
• Confirm blister history and epoxy barrier coat status on the bottom
• Obtain full engine service records and verify hours independently
• Assess age and condition of standing rigging, running rigging, and sail inventory
• On centerboard models, inspect the board and all lifting gear thoroughly
• Verify ages, certifications, and service dates on safety equipment including life raft, EPIRB, and flares
• Confirm electronics are functional and assess what, if anything, needs updating for your intended use