Hanse 400 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 400 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Elan |
| Year | 2002–2006 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 400 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 400 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Hanse 400 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Hanse 400 measures 12.10m (39.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 1.75m longer than the Hanse 400. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 400 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.87 and 68.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 400 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Hanse 400 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 400 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 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 2015 Elan 450 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: Hanse 400 · 2015 Elan 450