Beneteau First 33.7 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2013 Elan 350 is 0.63m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 30% 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 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, 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 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Elan 350 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 33.7 · 2013 Elan 350