1990 Catalina 34 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1990 Catalina 34 is 1.02m longer than the 2007 Elan 310. The 1990 Catalina 34 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 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 1990 Catalina 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L 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 1990 Catalina 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Catalina 34 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: 1990 Catalina 34 · 2007 Elan 310