1996 Hunter 290 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Elan |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 0.50m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) 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 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Hunter 290 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
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · 2007 Elan 310