1973 Ericson 27 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1973 Ericson 27
2007 Elan 310
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Ericson 27 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Elan |
| Year | 1973–1980 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Bruce King | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 30.8 m² (332 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Ericson 27 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Ericson 27 is a 1970s design by Ericson from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1973 Ericson 27 was penned by Bruce King. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1973 Ericson 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 1.11m longer than the 1973 Ericson 27. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 80% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Ericson 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.02 and 30.8 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 1973 Ericson 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Ericson 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.8% for the 1973 Ericson 27 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Ericson 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L 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 1973 Ericson 27 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.