Beneteau First 36.7 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 0.82m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 41% 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 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 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 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, 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 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Elan 400 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: 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 36.7 · 2014 Elan 400