1985 Freedom 21 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Elan |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 2.94m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 520% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 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 1985 Freedom 21 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The 2007 Elan 310 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Elan 310 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 1985 Freedom 21 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: 1985 Freedom 21 · 2007 Elan 310