Beneteau First 24 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 2.14m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 221% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 24 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.93 and 27.0 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 Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L of water capacity and 20L 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 Beneteau First 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Elan 310 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: Beneteau First 24 · 2007 Elan 310