2003 Dufour 34 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2003 Dufour 34 is 0.96m longer than the 2007 Elan 310. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 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 2003 Dufour 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L 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 2003 Dufour 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Dufour 34 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
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 2003 Dufour 34 · 2007 Elan 310