1996 Hunter 290 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Elan |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2013 Elan 350 is 1.83m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 75% 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 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, 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 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Hunter 290 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 2013 Elan 350 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
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Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · 2013 Elan 350