1991 Westerly Seahawk vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1991 Westerly Seahawk | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Elan |
| Year | 1991–1997 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Slovenia |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1991 Westerly Seahawk and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1991 Westerly Seahawk measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 1.71m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1991 Westerly Seahawk has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.57 and 48.0 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1991 Westerly Seahawk provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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: 1991 Westerly Seahawk · 2014 Elan 400