Hunter 280 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Elan |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 0.81m longer than the Hunter 280. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 74% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 280 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.35 and 34.0 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 Hunter 280 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 280 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 280 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L 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 Hunter 280 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: Hunter 280 · 2007 Elan 310