1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 0.19m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1997 Dufour 30 Classic · 2007 Elan 310