2015 Elan 450 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2015 Elan 450 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Elan | Ericson |
| Year | 2015–2019 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Slovenia | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2015 Elan 450 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2015 Elan 450 is a modern design by Elan from Slovenia, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2015 Elan 450 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 2015 Elan 450 measures 13.85m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.28m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 2.27m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2015 Elan 450 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2015 Elan 450 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2015 Elan 450 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Elan 450 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: 2015 Elan 450 · 1984 Ericson 38