1993 Beneteau First 42 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 2.41m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 m² of sail area. The 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2010 Elan 340 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · 2010 Elan 340