1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
1997 Dufour 30 Classic
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 1.21m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L 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: The 2010 Elan 340 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.