1985 Contest 36 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1985 Contest 36
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Contest 36 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Elan |
| Year | 1985–1995 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Slovenia |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Contest 36 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1985 Contest 36 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1985 Contest 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 1.10m longer than the 1985 Contest 36. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Contest 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.75 and 54.0 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 1985 Contest 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Contest 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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: 1985 Contest 36 · 2014 Elan 400