Beneteau First 27 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
Beneteau First 27
2007 Elan 310
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 1.15m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 88% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Elan 310, with an SA/D of 15.66 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 2007 Elan 310 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Elan 310 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 Beneteau First 27 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.