Sabre (dinghy)
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| Specifications Under Current Rules | |
 |
|
| At Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club | |
| Crew | One |
| LOA | 3.7 m (12 ft) |
| LWL | |
| Beam | |
| Draft | |
| Hull weight (with fittings) | 41 kg (90 lb) |
The Sabre is a class of twelve-foot-long (3.7 m) single-handed sailboat. The boat was designed in 1974 by Rex Fettell, who also designed the Minnow. As of September 2006 approximately 1,720 sail numbers have been issued.
The boat is built in plywood by the stitch and glue method and weighs in at around 41kg (90 lbs). Hulls can be made from timber, fibreglass or as a composite (timber deck and fibreglass hull).
The rig is simple and easily handled but still provides exciting performance in a breeze.
Being easy to sail and suited to lighter sailors, it is popular with both learners and experienced (read "older") sailors who find more athletic boats like the laser are becoming too demanding for them.
In Australia the Sabre is sailed in over 36 clubs in its home state Victoria alone, where it is one of the most active supporters of Victorian Yachting Council activities. The largest fleets in Victoria are at Black Rock YC, Blairgowrie YS, Mordialloc SC, Albert Park YC, Albert SC, McCrae YC, Elwood SC, Gippsland Lakes YC and Williamstown SC. Strong fleets in South Australia are centred around the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club and Largs Bay sailing club. The boat is also well represented in Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland and, to a lesser extent, Western Australia.
The current national champion (2007/08 series) is John Gratton from South Australia.
