Beneteau First 36.7 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 0.58m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 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 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L 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 36.7 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 36.7 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 36.7 · 2013 Elan 350