1979 Peterson 44 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
1979 Peterson 44
2015 Elan 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Elan |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 0.44m longer than the 1979 Peterson 44. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Elan 450 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.