Beneteau First 30 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) 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 2.93m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 128% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 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 Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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: Beneteau First 30 · 2014 Elan 400