Hanse 320 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
Hanse 320
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 320 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Elan |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 320 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 320 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Hanse 320 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Hanse 320 measures 9.92m (32.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 2.15m longer than the Hanse 320. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 78% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 320 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Elan 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 320 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Hanse 320 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 320 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 90L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 320 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 2014 Elan 400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2014 Elan 400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.