Dufour 365 Grand Large vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 365 Grand Large | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 365 Grand Large and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 365 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 2.88m longer than the Dufour 365 Grand Large. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 77% 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 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 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 365 Grand Large 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: The 2015 Elan 450 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: Dufour 365 Grand Large · 2015 Elan 450