2017 Leopard 40 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2017 Leopard 40
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2017 Leopard 40 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Leopard | Elan |
| Year | 2017 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Catamaran | Sloop |
| Country | South Africa | Slovenia |
| Designer | Simonis Voogd | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2017 Leopard 40 and 2010 Elan 340 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern design by Leopard from South Africa, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2017 Leopard 40 was penned by Simonis Voogd. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2017 Leopard 40 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 6.56m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2017 Leopard 40 is 1.37m longer than the 2010 Elan 340. The 2017 Leopard 40 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2017 Leopard 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.21 and 70.0 m² of sail area. The 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Elan 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2017 Leopard 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.29). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2017 Leopard 40 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 340L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L 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 2017 Leopard 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.