1973 Tartan 34 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1973 Tartan 34
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Tartan 34 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tartan | Elan |
| Year | 1973–1984 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Tartan 34 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Tartan 34 is a 1970s design by Tartan from USA, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1973 Tartan 34 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1973 Tartan 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 1.71m longer than the 1973 Tartan 34. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 51% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Tartan 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.27 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Elan 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Tartan 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 45.0% for the 1973 Tartan 34 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Tartan 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Tartan 34 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 2014 Elan 400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2014 Elan 400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1973 Tartan 34 · 2014 Elan 400