Sabre 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Sabre 38 means choosing between two Hewson-designed generations built from 1981 through 1995, with the MK I launched in 1981 and the heavier, reconfigured MK II following in 1988. Both share the same seakindly hull philosophy and a genuine dual-purpose character, but the used market favors different layouts and equipment than a new-boat spec sheet would suggest.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common find among brokerage Sabre 38s, though the classic quarterberth layout remains available, and ex-charter examples are common. The MK II's private aft cabin with double berth and hanging locker is the headline cruising upgrade over the MK I's open quarterberth, while both show the same teak saloon with opposing settees. A substantial bridgedeck and wide side decks carry through every example, and the T-shaped cockpit protects the mid-boom mainsheet traveler placed forward of the dodger.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Chartplotters, autopilots, radar, and a bimini are commonly fitted to boats on the market, forming the navigation and shade baseline a buyer can expect. Dodgers, electric winches, and hot water are often seen and speak to comfortable shorthanded cruising, while spinnakers, AIS, solar, and inverters appear as occasional owner upgrades rather than standard kit. For a shopper, the presence of a dodger and electric winches signals an easier cockpit routine; solar and inverter additions hint at a boat already set for anchor living.
What to Inspect
The one documented ownership caution on this model is rot in the sole near the mast step, caused by rainwater following the mast slot down to the bottom anchor. A buyer should lift the cabin sole around the mast and probe for softness, since the stick-built interior leaves the timber exposed to that track. Otherwise the through-bolted hull-deck joint and external lead ballast on stainless bolts are straightforward to survey.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Sabre 38 is found in the United States market. For a buyer, the checklist is simple: confirm the layout generation and cabin count you want, verify the mast-step sole for rot, and note which common upgrades (chartplotter, autopilot, dodger, hot water) are already aboard versus those you will add. Choose the MK II for private aft accommodation or the MK I for the open quarterberth classic, and expect to evaluate ex-charter history on the more common three-cabin boats.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Sabre 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 14 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 2 | $35,000 | — |
| Feb 25 | 1 | $59,000 | +68.6% |
| May 25 | 2 | $38,000 | -35.6% |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $45,000 | +18.4% |
| Aug 25 | 9 | $49,900 | +10.9% |
| Sep 25 | 8 | $52,450 | +5.1% |
| Jan 26 | 3 | $49,900 | -4.9% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $87,500 | +75.4% |
| Apr 26 | 12 | $44,900 | -48.7% |
| May 26 | 6 | $53,950 | +20.2% |
| Jun 26 | 4 | $51,950 | -3.7% |
| Jul 26 | 8 | $49,999 | -3.8% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $143,450 | +186.9% |
| Sep 26 | 11 | $49,999 | -65.1% |
Where they're listed
Sabre 38 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 48.
Country view
48 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $49,999 | 48 | 21 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabre 38You are here | — | $ 49,999 | 48 | 21 |
| Beneteau First 38 | 40.2' | $ 33,617 | 33 | 6 |
| Ohlson 38 | 37.06' | $ 64,014 | 16 | 5 |
| Sabre 38 Mk II | 38.67' | $ 57,900 | 13 | 0 |
| Hinckley Yachts 38 | 37.5' | $ 68,500 | 13 | 4 |