1988 Contest 38 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
1988 Contest 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 38 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Elan |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Slovenia |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.5 m² (662 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 38 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 38 is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1988 Contest 38 was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 1988 Contest 38 is 0.88m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 1988 Contest 38 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Contest 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.01 and 61.5 m² of sail area. The 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2013 Elan 350 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Contest 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1988 Contest 38 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Contest 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Contest 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 2013 Elan 350 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: 1988 Contest 38 · 2013 Elan 350