At the Newport International Boat Show in September, Sabre Yachts announced the design completion of their brand-new Sabre 51 Salon Express. An all-weather couple’s cruising boat, the design emphasizes entertaining, weekending and ultimately long-term living aboard and cruising.
It is always exciting news when this highly respected Maine builder of Downeast-style cruising boats comes out with a new design since the company has been a trend setter for more than 40 years. The new boat will fit neatly between the 48SE and the 58SE
The new 51 is the fruit of a deep-dive, information gathering process to find out just what their owners and new customers want in a new boat. The Sabre team interviewed more that 200 members of the Sabre family, particularly Sabre 48 owners, and the 51 is the result.
The design features Sabre’s classic Downeast look with a handsome sheer, low cabin top and large windows, both in the salon and as hull glazing. You’ll know instantly she’s a Sabre at first glance across the harbor.
But she is also fitted with the Sabre Switching and Sabre Connect high-tech tools that allow you to monitor and run systems on the boat remotely. As you are driving from home to your boat, you can switch on the ice maker, turn on the Seakeeper and even start the air conditioning.
The design’s living spaces have been maximized for both spacious on-the-water living and entertaining. The cockpit will sit up to eight and when you include the salon you could easily have a dozen or more friends over for sundowners. Add in the new forward lounging area with a sunning bed and a bench seat and that number might reach 20.
That said, the 51 is laid out for couples who like to cruise with another couple so it has a sumptuous master stateroom and head and a guest cabin that is on par with most owner’s cabins. A third cabin is available for crew or overflow guests or for the grand kids.
Sabre must have had quite a few cooks in their focus groups because the 51’s galley is special. Positioned down five steps from the salon and the dinette, galley has spacious counters, two below-counter fridges, large sinks and a full stove with an oven and a microwave.
Next to the galley is a pantry with a counter and plenty of storage spaces. You might set up a bar here when you have lots of friends aboard or you can provide an extra working space for couples who like to cook together.
The 51 will be powered by twin Volvo IPS 800s, rated at 600-horsepower each, so it will have plenty of power for high average-speed cruising. The IPS drives come with joy-stick control, dynamic positioning and easy docking. Combined with a bow thruster, you will be able to fit the 51 into even the tightest of slips.
Like all Sabre Yachts, the 51 will certainly have a superb fit and finish that is often praised as “heirloom quality.” When the first boat is launched next year we’ll do a sea trial so we can report on her performance and focus on the many details that will make this a special family cruiser. Read more here
