1987 Beneteau First 345 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is 0.09m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · 2010 Elan 340