Sabre 48 Salon Express

There are few more iconic sights in the boating world than a classically lined, blue-hulled Downeaster laying down a clean white wake behind her as she slices across steel-gray water.

Sabre’s 48 Salon Express fits nicely into this boater’s dream scenario, with gorgeous and timeless lines, sporty performance and onboard amenities that make her as versatile as she is fun to own.

Mark Felhofer, owner of Bay Marine in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, understands the appeal of this boat completely.

“The performance you will see for this boat is absolutely remarkable,” he says. “From a standstill to powering up to cruising speed, it’s so smooth and efficient. And the layout won’t be beat. It’s got an amidships primary ensuite, and an athwartship arrangement makes it feel like it’s full beam even though it isn’t.”

Felhofer points out that the enclosed main-deck design is a good fit for cooler climates, and he’s also in love with the boat’s lines.

“That Downeast style just draws so many people in and it’s easy to see why,” he says.

The boat comes with a variety of propulsion choices from Volvo Penta. It only draws a scant 4 feet, 1 inch, which makes it a good choice for rafting up at your favorite sandbar. She can get you there fast too. With the hammer down, the 48 Salon Express can hit a zesty 32 knots, while cruising happily at 27 knots.

“This isn’t for people who want a trawler,” Felhofer says. “This is more a yacht than a boat, and it appeals to people with a sense of adventure. That’s the common thread among our owners — they’re all in it for the adventure. And because this boat is so versatile with the combination of looks, onboard space and performance, they can go on their adventures with multiple generations aboard and everyone is happy.”