1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 1.22m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 21% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2010 Elan 340 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 38 · 2010 Elan 340