Sabre Yachts 38 Express  2009 boat specs
Sabre Yachts
Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009
2009
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VS
Sabre Yachts 38 Express  2012 boat specs
Sabre Yachts
Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012
2012
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Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 vs Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 vs Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 at 38,0 ft versus Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 at 38,5 ft. At 215 lbs and 215 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 carries a rated maximum of 480 hp. Engine data for the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 35 gal and 35 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 and Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeSabre Yachts
MakeSabre Yachts
Model38 Express
Model38 Express
Model Year2009
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam13 ft. 8 in. (4.20 m)
Beam13 ft. 8 in. (4.20 m)
Beam - Meters4.17
Beam - Meters4.17
Beam - Inches164
Beam - Inches164
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise16℃
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 4 in. (1.01 m)
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 4 in. (1.01 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail21,500 lbs. (9,773 kg)
Weight - Detail21,500 lbs. (9,773 kg)
Weight - kg9752.23
Weight - kg9752.23
Weight - lbs.215
Weight - lbs.215
Height - DetailHeight Over Waterline With Mast: 13 ft. 5 in. (4.09 m)
Height - Detail13 ft. 5 in. (4.09 m) height over waterline with mast
Height - Meters4.09
Height - Meters4.09
Height - Inches161
Height - Inches161
Length - Meters11.85
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet38.5
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.85 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Inches462
Length overall - Inches462
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardTwin Yanmar 380 hp 6LY3A-UTP electronic diesel engines
Engine/s standardTwin Yanmar 380 hp 6LY3A-UTP electronic diesel engines
Fuel tank capacity - Detail350 gal. (1,325 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail350 gal. (1,325 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Engine maxTwin 480 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
HeadSee Features
Headnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacity4
Water capacity100 gal. (379 l)
Water capacity100 gal. (380 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (150 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Holding tank capacity - Gal4

Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 vs Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 or the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012?
The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 is the longer of the two at 38,5 feet overall. The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 0,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 or the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012?
For trailering, the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 has the edge at 215 lbs dry weight versus 215 lbs for the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 has a documented max rating of 480 hp. Engine specifications for the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 and Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 share an 13 ft. 8 in. (4.20 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 and Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 35 gallons and 35 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 and Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2009 and the Sabre Yachts 38 Express 2012 are built by Sabre Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.