Dufour 365 Grand Large vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
Dufour 365 Grand Large
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 365 Grand Large | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 365 Grand Large and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 365 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 365 Grand Large measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.52m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is 0.61m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The Dufour 365 Grand Large displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 365 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.50 and 57.5 m² of sail area. The 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 365 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 365 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 365 Grand Large provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2010 Elan 340 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 Dufour 365 Grand Large 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.