1967 Columbia 43 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
1967 Columbia 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1967 Columbia 43 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Elan |
| Year | 1967–1973 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | William Tripp | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 71.0 m² (764 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1967 Columbia 43 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1967 Columbia 43 is a classic design by Columbia from USA, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1967 Columbia 43 was penned by William Tripp. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1967 Columbia 43 measures 13.11m (43.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 0.74m longer than the 1967 Columbia 43. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1967 Columbia 43 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.05 and 71.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1967 Columbia 43 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1967 Columbia 43 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1967 Columbia 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1967 Columbia 43 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1967 Columbia 43 · 2015 Elan 450