1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 0.22m longer than the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 50.0 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) 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 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · 2010 Elan 340