1976 Albin Vega vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1976 Albin Vega
2007 Elan 310
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1976 Albin Vega | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Albin | Elan |
| Year | 1976–1982 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | Slovenia |
| Designer | Per Brohall | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.24 m (27.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 6.27 m (20.6 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.46 m (8.1 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.15 m (3.8 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,050 kg (2,315 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.5 m² (285 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1976 Albin Vega and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1976 Albin Vega is a 1970s design by Albin from Sweden, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1976 Albin Vega was penned by Per Brohall. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1976 Albin Vega measures 8.24m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.46m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 1.10m longer than the 1976 Albin Vega. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 88% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1976 Albin Vega has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.02 and 26.5 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 2007 Elan 310 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1976 Albin Vega offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 43.8% for the 1976 Albin Vega and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1976 Albin Vega provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 50L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 2007 Elan 310 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Albin Vega 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 2007 Elan 310 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.