2010 Elan 340 vs 1982 Freedom 28 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
1982 Freedom 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Elan 340 | 1982 Freedom 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Elan | Freedom |
| Year | 2010–2014 | 1982–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Slovenia | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 29.0 m² (312 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Elan 340 and 1982 Freedom 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Elan 340 is a modern design by Elan from Slovenia, while the 1982 Freedom 28 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The 2010 Elan 340 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1982 Freedom 28 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the 2010 Elan 340 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1982 Freedom 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 1.83m longer than the 1982 Freedom 28. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 132% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Elan 340 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of sail area. The 1982 Freedom 28, with an SA/D of 16.02 and 29.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Elan 340 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1982 Freedom 28 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340 and 36.4% for the 1982 Freedom 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Elan 340 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1982 Freedom 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L 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: The 2010 Elan 340 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.