2002 Najad 440 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
2002 Najad 440
2013 Elan 350
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Najad 440 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Najad | Elan |
| Year | 2002–2010 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | Slovenia |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Najad 440 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Najad 440 is a 2000s design by Najad from Sweden, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2002 Najad 440 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2002 Najad 440 measures 13.50m (44.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2002 Najad 440 is 2.83m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 2002 Najad 440 displaces approximately 89% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2002 Najad 440 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 88.0 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 2013 Elan 350 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2002 Najad 440 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.1% for the 2002 Najad 440 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2002 Najad 440 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L of water capacity and 280L of fuel. The 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 Najad 440 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 2013 Elan 350 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2002 Najad 440 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.