1988 Westerly Corsair vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Westerly Corsair | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Elan |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Slovenia |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Westerly Corsair and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1988 Westerly Corsair measures 11.00m (36.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 1.07m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Westerly Corsair has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.81 and 50.0 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 1988 Westerly Corsair offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Westerly Corsair provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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: 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 Westerly Corsair · 2014 Elan 400