Beneteau First 33.7 vs 2007 Elan 310 — Comparison
Beneteau First 33.7
2007 Elan 310
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | 2007 Elan 310 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and 2007 Elan 310 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2007 Elan 310 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the 2007 Elan 310 at 9.34m (30.6ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 0.70m longer than the 2007 Elan 310. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 33.7 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.92 and 55.0 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 33.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2007 Elan 310 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 33.7 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 33.7 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.