Hunter 260 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
Hunter 260
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 260 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Elan |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 260 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 260 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Hunter 260 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Hunter 260 measures 7.85m (25.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 2.51m longer than the Hunter 260. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 184% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 260 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 27.5 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 Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 260 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.87). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the Hunter 260 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 260 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L 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 Hunter 260 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Elan 340 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
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 260 · 2010 Elan 340