Sabres
at BYS
The Sabre is
a single-handed dinghy, suitable for people ranging in age anywhere
from early teens upwards into the late seventies
Sabre dinghies
are 3.75 metres long, have a sail area of around 6 sq. metres and
a minimum weight of 41 kgs. Sabres are a 'one design' class- which
ensures close racing and good resale value for second hand boats
- you won't find your boat suddenly becoming 'last year's design'.
Sabre dinghies
can be readily launched and retrieved single handedly by using
a beach trolley. These trolleys are in turn readily mounted on
road trailers for towing.
The class has
been in existence for in excess of 25 years and numbers have reached
around 1600. Sabres are sailed in most states of Australia. National
and Victorian championships are held annually, with
competitions occurring in a range of divisions to encourage participation by
all age groups.
The Sabre is
Blairgowrie's most popular class of boat, with over 60 boats on
the register - and growing strongly. This provides for great racing,
with fleets of over 20 boats appearing in some races. A number
of boats are also to be found being used at Blairgowrie's sail
training program held during January and February.
Want to know
more ? Feel free to speak to Andrew Graham ('Southern Aurora' -
1642); Lindsay Reid ('Roll Over' - 1591') or Geoff Smith ('Still
Smitten' - 1577).
Buying a second hand boat.
We have been finding in recent years that we have a very healthy level of demand by people to buy second hand
Sabres - and thought it might be useful if we gave people a few hints as to how they might go about trying to
secure that dream boat that they're after. For those that are in this position - the good news is that boats do
turn up - as long as you are patient.
If you're looking for a Sabre, then your first consideration is whether it is to be say a basic training boat,
a reasonably competitive club-racing boat, or a front of the fleet / near new boat. Sabres with sail numbers under
say 1000 will often fall into the first category, and can frequently be picked up for less than $1,000. (But don't
be fooled - there are a handful of well maintained & fast older boats that make such generalisations difficult).
For club racing, a boat in the 1000 to 1399 may be a better bet. Prices could range from $1,500 to $2,800, and
would get you a boat that is neither 'looking the worse for wear' nor uncompetitive. If 'front-of the fleet club
and class racing is what you're after, then sail numbers 1400 plus may be the go. (The newest boat in existence is
1644 by the way). Prices from $3,000 to $4,500 are the norm - or $6,000 to $7,000 for a brand new one. Boats
come in plywood or fibreglass. The latter are less common, and given the lower maintenance, they tend to have a
slight price premium.
As to fibreglass boats, these fall into 4 categories - the early and later boats from the old Victorian mould,
and those from the current SA and Victorian moulds. The current moulds have produced boats over the past 5 years
or so from Botteril in Victoria and Young Marine (YMS) in SA - but there are only a few dozen of these in
existence. In much greater volumes are those from the previous Victorian mould which saw quite a few boats with
sail numbers in the 1050 to 1400 range - most made by current builder Botterills. Importantly, it took a few
seasons for these boats to settle down, and the early ones tended to be over-weight, and not as stiff as they
should have been.
The latest fibreglass boats are much more competitive, with virtually all of the South Australian boats in
recent years being glass, and 2 of the top 5 placings in the Victorian titles being latest generation glass
Botterills.
All the above said however, cross your fingers that you can find a more 'ignorant' seller, rather than an
'opportunist'. There are as many bargains out there, as there are over-priced boats - but in such an 'un-informed'
market, you shouldn't expect it to be different. Of course, if you think that the asking price is excessive, you
can always try Daryl's line from 'the Castle', and indicate that the seller is 'Dreamin', and wait for the
reaction.
When you are looking at boats, here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
- A tired looking sail is easily replaced ($650 for a new one) - but this should be reflected in a 'lower' selling price for the boat
- Does it have a trailer, beach trolley and boat cover? If it has none, expect a lower price than those that do
- How heavy is it? 41kg is the minimum weight, and a heavy boat (say >50kg) is going to struggle in racing.
- Woodwork. Cracks in the outer layer of the plywood would indicate a hard-life. Similarly, decks and floor that have been painted would suggest that previous owners have not paid enough attention to winter maintenance, and have covered up some water stains rather than re-varnishing.
- Paintwork - the ideal situation is a boat with strong, tough two-pack varnish and paint. If it's looking tired, then expect to have to spend time or money on getting a nice finish.
- Never forget that by and large, the older the boat, the more likely that things are going to break - and that
everything that breaks will need to be paid for in 'new boat' prices.
As to where to look. The first place to look is in the Rattle, where we publish known boats for sale. Don't
ignore the Trading Post, which for the web generation simply means storing www.melbournetradingpost.com.au in your
list of favourites. Another idea is to like to keep an eye on the notice board and ask around at the yacht clubs
at say Black Rock, Blairgowrie, Mordialloc, Elwood and Albert Park - all strong Sabre clubs. (Put up a wanted to
buy notice).
Prices for new Sabres inclusive of GST April 2004
| Supplier | Unpainted Plywood
hull only | Fibreglass foam sandwich
hull only | Price fully
fitted out
incl sail | Comments & Features * |
| Botterill & Sons |
6 Advantage Rd
Highett Vic 3190
Ph 9555 2448 | | | | Long time Melbourne builder of fibreglass Sabres. Choice of plywood deck or fibreglass. Botterill boats finished 2nd and 3rd in 2003/04 nationals. Current mould created in 1998. Six boats sold to Blairgowrie sailors last 2 seasons. Ply decked boats include 2-pot varnishing sprayed at the factory. Centreboard (laminated & fibreglass sheathed) $375; Rudder blades $295. Prices exclude optional beach trolley (extra $390). Hull only price includes a timber rudder box/tiller, or $275 if bought separately. |
A. Fibreglass hull, varnished plywood decks | | $5,495 | $8,495 |
B. Fibreglass hull, fibreglass deck | | $4,995 | $7,995 |
| Yachtcraft |
6 Gurners Lane,
Lonsdale
SA 5160
Ph/fax (08) 8382 7335.
A.H. (08) 8296 1187
yachts@senet.com.auFibreglass hull & deck | | $3,050 | $6,550 approx
depend. on sail chosen
($5,850 excl sail) | Boats built by well known Adelaide boatbuilder, Robin Haselgrove. Hulls designed to be very stiff, and have a full mast support frame and a full mast step web between this frame and the cockpit bulkhead. Guaranteed minimum weight. Price represents charge for hull collected from the factory in Adelaide. No shipping facility currently available. Fully fitted-out price is based off 'ready for championship' quality. |
| YMS Young Marine Services & Foils |
2 Vincent Avenue,
Somerton Park
SA 5044
phone: 08 8295 1541
info@yms.com.auFibreglass hull & deck | | $4,400
$4,600 with delivery to Victoria | Fit-out package available for hulls & spars. POA | Boats built by well-known Adelaide boat builder, Brett Young. This is a new mould made in 2004 from the hull of 2003/4 national champion Wayne Bates. The fully foam sandwich hull is below minimum weight and is extremely strong. This is a distinct improvement from past Sabres, and has been gained from experience in building other boats with flat panels like Fireballs, Pacers and Sharpies. The new boats look streamlined and modern, and all customers so far are extremely happy. Centreboard (laminated & fibreglass sheathed) $550; Rudder blades $440 for cedar and $480 for Balsa. Fully rigged mast & boom $1,188; Hull fittings and fitting $1,700 approx.; Rudderbox & tiller $346 |
| Express Boatworks |
132 Patterson Road
Moorabbin
Vic 3189
Ph 03 9557 8677
phillipj@vegas.com.auPlywood hull and deck (unpainted) | $3,000 | | | High quality, beautiful looking all timber boat from long-time Sabre builder Phil Johnson. Minimum weight. Bottom of hull sheathed in lightweight fibreglass and epoxy resin on both sides for added stiffness. Great racing record including 2004 Victorian champion, and national champion 2000 and 2001. Centreboard & Rudder blade $400 in total; Rudder/tiller excl fittings $180. Fitouts of spars available. |
| IECON Boats |
2/15 Kearney Street
Bayswater
Vic
Phone : 9729 1188
Fax: 9729 0198
Mobile 0402 08808
john@iecon.com.au | | | | New mould available August 2004 produced by Sabre and Impulse sailor, and Corsair/Impulse builder, John Dixon. The design is a distillation of many years sailing Sabres and is intended to be much faster than existing shapes and to be light and very stiff. All boats will be foam sandwich vacuum bagged. Desks will be gaboon or the choice of the purchaser. Fitouts of hull and spars can be undertaken using the quality of fittings preferred by the purchaser. Also available: - Fibreglass sheathed cedar centreboard and rudder $600
- Beach trolley $260
- Mast sections $140, boom sections $35 - $75, towel rails $30, mast plugs $15, boom ends $10 - $15, mast base $25, gooseneck $60
|
A. Fibreglass hull, no deck | | $2,501 | POA |
B. Fibreglass hull, ply decks fitted, unvarnished | | $3,860 | POA |
*Note all prices exclude $90 payable to the Sabre Association for plans and allocation of sail number.
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