1979 Westerly Fulmar vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westerly Fulmar | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Elan |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Slovenia |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 136 L (35.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 0.41m longer than the 2007 Elan 310. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 11% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.53 and 36.0 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 2007 Elan 310 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 2007 Elan 310 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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: 1979 Westerly Fulmar · 2007 Elan 310