Down East Design with Modern Flair

By Captain Bob Smith

Test Captain

Sabreline brings back a classic design with their new 38 Express Hard Top modeled after the company’s 42. At first glance you’ll be taken back by this boat’s unique style that boasts elegance and sophistication from the moment you step aboard.

Topside Features

The list of standard and optional features are lengthy. All topside deck surfaces have aggressive grip molded into the decks. The transom door swings in and has a strong heavy feel to it. Out on the spacious swim platform is a telescoping swim ladder for easy boarding when you are finished taking a dip in the ocean. The stern deck has plenty of room for roaming, relaxing, or wetting a line if you decide to catch dinner.

Luxurious Cockpit

The cockpit features Stidd helm and mates seats are standard as is the wet bar complete with solid surface, U-line refrigerator/ice maker and additional seating with a folding table. Camper enclosure can keep out the elements or keep in the air conditioning. The helm has triple windshields with wipers and washers that have some blind spots, but they are not bad. There is plenty of room to fully outfit the helm station with flat panel electronics among the standard gauges for each engine.

Belowdeck

Heading down the center companionway into the cabin you feel as though you have entered a fancy library or office setting. Hand-finished, fine American Cherry draws your attention to the cabinetry. The only distraction was some off color putty used on some of the nails, but I am also a novice carpenter and notice that kind of thing. The salon has a starboard side settee that converts into a double berth when needed. Behind louvered doors are the power control panels. The forward wall has the 20” flat screen TV and room for more entertainment equipment. There is even a bottle storage locker.

Functional Galley

The galley over on the port side has a high pressure standard laminate top, but you can opt for the solid surface. It has a stainless steel sink, built-in waste basket, a good amount of storage, coffeemaker, two-burner cooktop, and refrigerator/freezer. The common head features a circular shower stall, sink, and Corian countertop with lots of room to get ready for the day or evening.

Spacious Accommodations

The accommodations include a master forward stateroom with a queen-size island bed as the focal point for design of the interior. It has a 5” cushion for comfort, room for a flat panel TV in the aft wall, and plenty of storage including a cedar-lined closet. The master stateroom’s large pocket door provides privacy, and there is also a separate entrance to the common head.

Specs

The Sabreline 38 Hard Top Express measures 38’6” in length overall, with a beam width of 13’8”. She only requires a draft of 3’4” and weighs in at 21,500lbs. Her fuel capacity is 350 gallons and freshwater capacity is 100 gallons, making a long cruise definitely within her capability. The 38 also has surprising interior overhead room for her size, with a maximum 6’6” in the main cabin and plenty of headroom in the rest of the interior. Bridge clearance is 13’5” overhead, but I believe that is without the optional mast we had on our boat.

Power Plant

Our test boat was equipped with optional twin 440-hp Yanmar diesel engines, the standard propulsion are twin 370-hp Yanmar’s. ZF transmissions are also standard with dripless shaft seals. In addition, 80 amp alternators, Teleflex tilt steering, and Bennett stainless trim tabs are also standard. Our test boat had the optional Teleflex Morse Magic Bus throttle with shift controls and synchronizer.

Test Results

We tested the 38 with two people on board, ¾ tank of fuel and a full load of water. The 38 Express was on plane in 11.9 seconds and cruising at 30mph in only 12.3 seconds. We found her best cruise speed at 18.4mph turning 2000rpm. At cruise, she has a range of 365 miles on a full tank of fuel. She reached a maximum rev of 3300 rpm traveling 37.9mph, which produced a burn rate of 47.9gph and a range of 249 miles on a full tank. Sound levels were decent with the canvas open. She produces a sound level of only 67 dBa at idle and 78 dBa at cruise speed. We had cockpit air and canvas enclosure, so I know I would be running around Florida with the canvas closed and the air on, which will be even quieter.

The Sabreline 38 Express Hard Top offers you luxurious accommodations and great looks. If you want to cruise in luxury, style, and comfort be sure to see one for yourself at your local Sabreline dealer.

• Top speed for the Sabre Yachts 38 Express is 37.9 mph (61 kph), burning 47.9 gallons per hour (gph) or 181.3 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sabre Yachts 38 Express is 18.4 mph (29.6 kph), and the boat gets 1.16 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.49 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 365 miles (587.41 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 440-hp Yanmar GLY - Diesel.