Sadler and Starlight Yachts
The SSOA holds a wealth of information on the Sadler and Starlight yachts listed below. You can view a brief summary of each yacht on this page, including the number we have in the Association, but to gain access to the full body of information we hold, including the technical manuals, you will need to join the Association and log into the Members only area.
This page also contains a brief history of Sadler and Starlight yachts..
| Type | Designer | Built | No in SSOA | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler 25 | David Sadler | 1974 - 1981 | 40 | |
| Sadler 26 | Martin Sadler | 1982 - 1988 | 59 | |
| Sadler 29 | David Sadler | 1981 - 1988 | 118 | |
| Sadler 290 | Stephen Jones | 2003 - 2008 | 11 | |
| Sadler 32 | David Sadler | 1979 - 1989 | 77 | |
| Sadler 34 | Martin Sadler | 1983 - 1995 | 72 | |
| Sadler Barracuda 45 | Tony Castro | 1986 - 1989 | 1 | |
| Starlight 35 | Stephen Jones | 1991 - 2006 | 47 | |
| Starlight 39 | Stephen Jones | 1990 - 2006 | 27 | |
| Starlight 46 | Stephen Jones | 2000 - 2002 | 1 |
A Brief History
Sadler Yachts Ltd was incorporated in 1973 by Martin Sadler. He was appointed Chairman and Managing Director, his wife as Company Secretary and his father, David was invited to become a non-executive director. The first Sadler, the S25 was launched in 1974. Over the next 14 years they went on to build the iconic range of Sadler yachts, becoming one of the big three British boat builders. Sadly the company went into administration in August 1988 but was acquired by another experienced marine team who injected new money. The new team collaborated with acclaimed designer, Stephen Jones to build on the recognised merits of Sadler yachts and the hugely successful Starlight 35 and 39 designs were launched.
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Beginnings
1969
The Sadler story started in 1969 with David Sadler designing and building the Contessa 26, with Jeremy Rogers.
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The First Sadler
1974
Designed by David and built by Martin the first Sadler 25 was launched in July 1974. Over 300 or these hugely popular cruisers were built over the next 8 years.
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Building on success - Sadler 32
1979
After David joined the company full time in the late 1970s he set to designing the Sadler 32 with improvements over his previous Contessa 32 design. Just over 300 S32s were built from 1979-1989.
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Sadler 26 and Sadler 29
1981
The Sadler 29 was launched in 1981 and the 26 in 1982 with all the voids between the interior moulding and hull filled with polyurethane foam. Martin’s original concept of unsinkability became synonymous with the brand. 400 S29s and 200 S26s were built.
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Sadler 34
1983
The Sadler 34 took the "unsinkable" concept to a new level and immediately became popular with the Armed Services and other chartering and sail training organisations, with some 260 being built between 1983 and 1995.
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Barracuda 46
End of the 80's
The Barracuda 46, epitomised in the TV series 'Howards Way', was the largest Sadler to be built, but sadly only 19 of these innovative yachts were built before the company went into receivership in 1988.
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The Starlight Range
1990-1998
Very soon after going into receivership Sadler's assets were purchased and in collaboration with designer Stephen Jones, the new company went on to launch the Starlight 35 and 39, building around 85 of them between 1990-94. That company also went into receivership in 1994 and was bought out by Bowman yachts, becoming Rival Bowman in 1998 and then finally being acquired by Rustler yachts in 2002. A Mark 2 Starlight was built. In the end 107 S35s and 45 S39s were launched.
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Sadler 290
2003 – 2008
In the early 2000s Rampart Yachting, based in Southampton, acquired the Sadler name and commissioned Stephen Jones to design a modern successor to the Sadler 29. The first Sadler 290 was launched in 2003 to critical acclaim from yachting journalists. Around 50 were built, or in build when Rampart went into administration in 2008.
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The present
1978 - 2024
Although Sadler and Starlight yachts are no longer in production, many of these yachts remain sailing today with the Sadler and Starlight Owners' Association providing a vibrant and active support community for current owners of these classic designs.