1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 2.27m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Elan 450 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 38 · 2015 Elan 450