1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2013 Elan 350 is 1.52m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 61% 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 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 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 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, 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 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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: The 2013 Elan 350 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: 1997 Dufour 30 Classic · 2013 Elan 350