Catalina 270 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2013 Elan 350 is 2.36m longer than the Catalina 270. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 164% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Elan 350 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 Catalina 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2013 Elan 350 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 270 · 2013 Elan 350