Hunter 450 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
Hunter 450
2016 Elan GT5
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 450 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Elan |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 341 L (90.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 450 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 450 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Hunter 450 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the Hunter 450 measures 13.72m (45.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 0.13m longer than the Hunter 450. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 450 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 450 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Hunter 450 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 450 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 450 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 2016 Elan GT5 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.