1990 J/40 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1990 J/40
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 J/40 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | J/Boats | Elan |
| Year | 1990–1995 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Rod Johnstone | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.5 m² (780 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 J/40 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 J/40 is a 1990s design by J/Boats from USA, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1990 J/40 was penned by Rod Johnstone. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1990 J/40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1990 J/40 is 0.23m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 J/40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.87 and 72.5 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 1990 J/40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 44.1% for the 1990 J/40 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 J/40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 J/40 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: The 2014 Elan 400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.