1968 Pearson 26 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1968 Pearson 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 26 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Elan |
| Year | 1968–1975 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | William Shaw | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 26 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 26 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1968 Pearson 26 was penned by William Shaw. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 26 measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 1.42m longer than the 1968 Pearson 26. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 120% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 26 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.06 and 27.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Elan 310, with an SA/D of 15.66 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1968 Pearson 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1968 Pearson 26 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 2007 Elan 310 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 26 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 1968 Pearson 26 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Elan 310 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: 1968 Pearson 26 · 2007 Elan 310