1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 0.68m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · 2010 Elan 340