Hunter 356 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
Hunter 356
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 356 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Elan |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 356 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 356 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Hunter 356 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Hunter 356 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.53m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Hunter 356 is 0.46m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 356 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 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 Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 356 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) 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 40.0% for the Hunter 356 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 356 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L 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 Hunter 356 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
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 356 · 2010 Elan 340