2007 Elan 310 vs 1972 Ranger 29 — Comparison
1972 Ranger 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2007 Elan 310 | 1972 Ranger 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Elan | Ranger |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Slovenia | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Gary Mull |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.34 m (30.6 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.10 m (26.6 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2007 Elan 310 and 1972 Ranger 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2007 Elan 310 is a 2000s design by Elan from Slovenia, while the 1972 Ranger 29 is a 1970s offering from Ranger from USA. The 2007 Elan 310 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1972 Ranger 29 was designed by Gary Mull.
In terms of size, the 2007 Elan 310 measures 9.34m (30.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1972 Ranger 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 2007 Elan 310 is 0.50m longer than the 1972 Ranger 29. The 2007 Elan 310 displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2007 Elan 310 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ranger 29, with an SA/D of 16.47 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1972 Ranger 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2007 Elan 310 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1972 Ranger 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 28.9% for the 2007 Elan 310 and 42.9% for the 1972 Ranger 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2007 Elan 310 provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The 1972 Ranger 29 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Elan 310 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 1972 Ranger 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1972 Ranger 29 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: 2007 Elan 310 · 1972 Ranger 29