Catalina 390 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Catalina 390 is 2.55m longer than the 2007 Elan 310. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 83% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 390 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of sail area. The 2007 Elan 310, with an SA/D of 15.66 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 390 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 390 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 390 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 2007 Elan 310 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Elan 310 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 390 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 390 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 390 · 2007 Elan 310