Dufour 36 Classic vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 0.54m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 36 Classic has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 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 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 36 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 36 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 110L 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 2010 Elan 340 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: Dufour 36 Classic · 2010 Elan 340