Catalina 323 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 323 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 323 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 323 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Catalina 323 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Catalina 323 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 0.61m longer than the Catalina 323. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 323 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.51 and 46.0 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 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 323 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) 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 38.1% for the Catalina 323 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 323 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L of water capacity and 76L 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 2010 Elan 340 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: Catalina 323 · 2010 Elan 340