1997 Sabre 402 For Sale (Fin Keel)
Point Richmond, California
(Don’t buy new… Buy a boat that doesn’t have additional tariffs! This boat will save you $$$.)
… the perfect blend of escape and elegance … let Mexico welcome you!
“Prudence” is a well-maintained Sabre 402 that shows beautifully. This Jim Taylor design is one of the best performance cruisers on the water, and this model and year was named “Best Overall Boat of the Year” by Cruising World Magazine. For sailors seeking a cruiser with real performance – or the thrill of winning races – this boat is a must-see.
Her interior presents like new, with beautifully finished cherry joinery and gleaming chrome accents. Designed with two cruising couples in mind (though we have run all rigging to the cockpit so a solo sailor can comfortably sail this boat), the layout is both comfortable and practical. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but the interior cherry cabinetry and the teak and holly sole will have you exclaiming… WOW.
Nearly all interior lighting has been upgraded to LED, with the exception of the reading lamps. All overhead lights can be white or red, and all LED fixtures include USB for charging your devices anywhere on the boat. The Sabre 402 is renowned as one of the most elegant and solid models ever built, and this yacht is no exception—she turns heads in every harbor, always drawing compliments of ‘Incredible… what a beautiful boat.’
With her fin keel, she is both swift and responsive, yet easily handled short-handed. True to Sabre tradition, her bulkheads are fully laminated to the hull, ensuring exceptional stiffness and strength. The result is a yacht that delivers greater stability, comfort, and security than many in her class.
A Short History Lesson
Sabre Yachts was founded in 1970 by Roger Hewson in Maine to build high-quality production sailboats, beginning with the successful Sabre 28. After building a range of sailboats for two decades, Sabre transitioned to a powerboat manufacturer in 1989, becoming known for its luxury Downeast-style motor yachts. The company still produces yachts today, maintaining its Maine tradition of craftsmanship and customer loyalty.
The Sabre 402 is a successful 40-foot performance cruiser-racer built by Sabre Yachts, launched in 1996, and produced for 8 years until 2004, with a total of 112 hulls built. Designed by Jim Taylor and the Sabre Design Team, the 402 blended exceptional speed and responsive handling with comfortable cruising accommodations, a spacious cherry-wood interior, and high-quality New England craftsmanship. It was highly acclaimed, winning Cruising World’s 1997 “Mid-Sized Cruiser” and overall “Boat of the Year” awards, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier performance cruiser.
Boat Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | Yanmar 4JH2E, 50hp, 784 hours |
| Batteries | Victron lithium (2022) |
| Charging System | Victron (2022) |
| Canvas | New dodger, bimini, transition piece, and stackpack (2022) |
| AIS / VHF | Vesper Cortex AIS transceiver with remote VHF (2022) |
| Deck Hardware | New Harken blocks, Lewmar sheet stoppers, and traveller blocks (2022) |
| Running Rigging | All new (2022) |
| Halyard Winch | Lewmar Ocean Electric |
| Hull Finish | Awlgripped Flag Blue |
| Rudder | Rebuilt; New seal installed |
| Galley |
Force 10 4-burner propane stove/oven; Xintex fume detector; Corian counters; Large top & front-loading fridge and top-loading freezer compartment; Seafrost cold plate refrigeration (engine-driven or 110v shore power) |
| Electronics & Navigation |
B&G Network Quad: speed, depth, temperature; B&G Network Wind: speed & angle; B&G Network Pilot autopilot; Vesper Cortex AIS transceiver with remote VHF at nav station (2022); Standard Horizon HX890 handheld VHF; Ritchie binnacle compass at helm; USB outlet at nav station; Espar diesel-fired furnace |
| Electrical Systems |
110v AC and 12v DC electrical systems; Smart Plug 30 amp shore power cord; Bass AC/DC electrical panel with voltmeters & ammeters; Reversed polarity indicator; (2) 300ah Victron Lithium batteries (2022); (1) Lifeline starting battery (2022); Victron Multiplus 3000 charger/inverter (2022); Victron GX Touch 50 color display (2022); Victron Cerbo (2022); Victron Lynx BMS (2022); Victron DC to DC charger (2022); Wakespeed 500 regulator (2022); Zinc Saver galvanic isolator |
| Mechanical & Plumbing |
Yanmar 4JH2E 50 hp diesel engine (784 hrs); Yanmar engine panel with tach, oil pressure, temp gauges, warning lights/alarm, sun cover; Engine serviced annually; Morse cables replaced (2022); Exhaust elbow replaced (2022); Racor 500FG primary fuel filter; Fuel gauge; PSS Dripless shaft seal replaced (2020); PYI Max prop feathering prop; Rudder rebuilt (2024); Espar forced air furnace; Vacuflush fresh water head (hoses replaced & pump rebuilt 2022); All faucets replaced (2022); Tank Tender tank watch; Jabsco self-priming macerator pump; Rule 2000 electric bilge pump; Manual bilge pump |
| Deck & Hull |
Navy blue Awlgrip painted hull; Fin keel; Dual anchor roller; Mantus M1 anchor w/ 50’ chain & 200’ rode; Simpson Lawrence electric anchor windlass; Danforth type anchor; (6) stainless mooring cleats w/ closed chocks; New stainless lifelines w/ boarding gates (2023); Navy blue dodger (2022); Navy blue bimini w/ transition piece (2022); Mainsail stack pack (2022); Handrail covers, winch covers, binnacle cover; Stainless destroyer wheel w/ leather wrap; Teak cockpit table w/ binnacle cupholders; Cockpit shower; Stainless stern ladder; (2) Dorade vents; Stainless grab bar at companionway; Teak solid companionway washboards; Teak washboards with screens |
| Sails & Rigging |
Hall Spars triple spreader aluminum mast & boom; Tides Marine mainsail track (2022); Stainless steel rod rigging; (2) Lewmar 54 CST primary winches; Lewmar 44 CST main halyard winch (port cabintop); Lewmar 44 CST winch (starboard cabintop); (8) new Lewmar clutches (2022); Neil Pryde full batten mainsail; Neil Pryde furling jib; Pineapple asymmetric cruising spinnaker; Rigid boom vang; Lower leg of backstay replaced (2022); Navtec hydraulic backstay adjuster & 2:1 backstay rebuilt (2022); Carbon fiber whisker pole; Stainless wire lifelines (2023); Inboard jib tracks; Adjustable jib track car; Genoa track on toe rail; Genoa turning blocks; Harken mainsail traveller rebuilt w/ new blocks (2022); Halyards, reef lines & control lines led aft to cockpit; Harken roller furler |
| Miscellaneous & Safety |
Lifesling; Flares; Electronic flare; Fire extinguishers; (6) Lifejackets; Manuals for all systems; Teak flagstaff; Edson rail-mount wheel storage |
Offered at $195,000
Recent Testimonials
…“is fast but requires little physical effort to make her perform”…
…“renowned for its exceptional sailing performance, yet is easily sailed by a couple.”
“A beautiful design that’s fast enough to hold her own on the race course and comfortable enough for a couple to cruise.”
“Ruggedly built” and incorporates “modern design elements such as a carbon fiber rudder post and a finely tuned keel and rig package.”
“It’s a great boat, as tough as you’d want.”
Frequently Asked Questions
“How Many Sabre 402s were made?”
~112 hulls from 1996 to 2004
What kind of construction is the hull?
Hand-laminated fiberglass; balsa core above waterline; vinylester resign used below waterline for blister resistance.
How deep is your keel? And has it ever grounded?
The keel is 6.25′, and NO it’s never been grounded.
Did you hear about Sabres with rudder bearing and seals failing?
Yeah, we have heard about it, but this boat has had that all replaced and has new bearings and seals (within the last 6 weeks).
Why does your engine have so few hours?
This boat has primarily been a San Francisco Bay boat. The previous owner to us used it as a nice looking condo on the rare occasion he came in from Modesto to hang out in the bay. The original owner sailed her around the bay. We have only sailed her around the bay. The engine has been maintained regularly and annually by a diesel mechanic as long as we’ve owned her, and was maintained by Chuck’s Marine prior to us owning her.
What’s the performance of this boat like?
This is a fast and responsive boat, with hull speed ~7.81 knots. This boat is well balanced under sail, and sails like a dream.
Does she leak?
NO.
What would you do first if you were to buy her?
Replace one of the knobs on the portholes. We bought it, but didn’t replace it (yet).
Interested in talking with us about Prudence?
Fill out the form or call us at 415.517.7183.