2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
2013 Elan 350
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Fountaine Pajot | Elan |
| Year | 2019 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Catamaran | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.42 m (44.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 7.67 m (25.2 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.28 m (4.2 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 100.0 m² (1,076 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 860 L (227.2 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 6 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 and 2013 Elan 350 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is a modern design by Fountaine Pajot from France, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 measures 13.42m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 7.67m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is 2.75m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 displaces approximately 105% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.86 and 100.0 m² of sail area. The 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 7.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.32). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 860L of water capacity and 480L of fuel. The 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Elan 350 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 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.