1980 Contest 33 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
1980 Contest 33
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Contest 33 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Elan |
| Year | 1980–1990 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Slovenia |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Contest 33 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Contest 33 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1980 Contest 33 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1980 Contest 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 0.30m longer than the 1980 Contest 33. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Contest 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.90 and 44.0 m² of sail area. The 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Contest 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.4% for the 1980 Contest 33 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Contest 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Contest 33 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 2010 Elan 340 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1980 Contest 33 · 2010 Elan 340