1988 Valiant Esprit 37 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Elan |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Bob Perry | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 132 L (34.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 246 L (65.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s design by Valiant from USA, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was penned by Bob Perry. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.92m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.72 and 58.0 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 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L of water capacity and 132L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 2010 Elan 340 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 · 2010 Elan 340