2003 Dehler 42 DS vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dehler 42 DS | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dehler | Elan |
| Year | 2003–2010 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dehler 42 DS and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s design by Dehler from Germany, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.93m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is 2.10m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.59 and 78.0 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dehler 42 DS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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: 2003 Dehler 42 DS · 2013 Elan 350