The Sabre 34 was first introduced in 1978. Starting in 1986, the MKII boats were equipped with an anchor locker and twin rollers. All of the MKI boats have an anchor locker; Sabre published suggestions for adding an anchor platform and roller to MKI models but they were built w/o either at the factory. Tom's photo must be of an older, pre-86 MKI model.

Maybe sailors worked harder then? Sailed more simply?

According to http://sabreyachts.com/pdf/Years-Production.pdf, there were 430 34s built, the last in 1991.

There are 4 Sabre sailboats currently listed on their web site: a 36' daysailor ('Spirit'), the 386, 426 and 456. Guess the 'average' boat size has gone up over the years; while Sabre at various times made a 28, 30, 32 and 34, nothing smaller than 36 is being built now.

/jeff S34 MKII #284