1965 Pearson Vanguard vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Elan |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 0.53m longer than the 1965 Pearson Vanguard. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2010 Elan 340 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Elan 340 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1965 Pearson Vanguard · 2010 Elan 340