2014 Elan 400 vs 1984 Pearson 34 — Comparison
2014 Elan 400
1984 Pearson 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2014 Elan 400 | 1984 Pearson 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Elan | Pearson |
| Year | 2014–2018 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Slovenia | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2014 Elan 400 and 1984 Pearson 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2014 Elan 400 is a modern design by Elan from Slovenia, while the 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 2014 Elan 400 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1984 Pearson 34 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 2014 Elan 400 measures 12.07m (39.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.90m, compared to the 1984 Pearson 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 2014 Elan 400 is 1.71m longer than the 1984 Pearson 34. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 51% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2014 Elan 400 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Pearson 34, with an SA/D of 15.11 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2014 Elan 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2014 Elan 400 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1984 Pearson 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400 and 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2014 Elan 400 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1984 Pearson 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 34 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.