Sabots have been sailed in Australia for over 50 years. The early boats were wooden construction and newer ones are fiberglass. Because of the large range in boat age, construction, care and maintenance, there is a similar range in boat price.
Many families purchase Sabots that are sailed by siblings over several seasons so the purchase provides many years of sailing fun.
For beginning sailors, a second hand Sabot under $1,000 is a good start. The boat is likely of plywood construction with either a timber or straight aluminum mast. The sail will be Dacron and the added extras very limited but this gets kids started.
After a season or two and the sailors’ skills develop, a more competitive second-hand boat is in the range of $1,000 to $3,000. The boat is likely foam sandwiched between layers of fiberglass with a tapered aluminum mast and a variety of Mylar or Dacron sails (some old, some new) and the boat will be close to the minimum weight of 22.7kg. Other inclusions might be boat covers, mast and boom covers, spare centre boards and rudders etc.
An almost new Sabot may be $5,000 to $6,000, and new ones $6000+ depending on materials and fit-out.
Check out our For Sale section for classified ads, plus other state and Australian National Sabot Council websites. The Victorian and National sites also have tips on what to look for when buying a Sabot. If you’re looking to update some gear, check our Links to local vendors.