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Elan 34
Designer: J&J Design  ·  Builder: Elan Marine (Yu)  ·  First built: 1991
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About the Elan 34

Launched in 1991 by Slovenia's Elan Marine, this 34-footer represents the yard's commitment to producing well-balanced cruising sailboats that don't sacrifice performance for comfort. The J&J Design team created a hull form that strikes an appealing balance between speed and stability, featuring a modern fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration that provides excellent maneuverability and upwind performance. With a displacement of 9,039 pounds and ballast ratio supporting confident sailing, the Elan 34 delivers predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in both novice and experienced sailors. The masthead sloop rig is straightforward to manage, making this boat particularly appealing for shorthanded sailing or those transitioning from smaller vessels. The boat's comfort ratio of 19.7 indicates a design optimized more for performance than heavy cruising, while the capsize screening formula of 2.08 suggests reasonable offshore capability for experienced crews. Her hull speed of 7.06 knots means she'll keep pace with traffic in most conditions. This model earned a solid reputation for coastal cruising and club racing, offering European build quality with thoughtful deck layouts and accommodations that maximize the 34-foot platform. The fiberglass construction has proven durable over three decades of service.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 34.12 ft / 10.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.79 ft / 8.47 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 6.23 ft / 1.90 m
Displacement 9,039.00 lb / 4,100 kg
Ballast 3,197.00 lb / 1,450 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer J&J Design
Builder Elan Marine (YU)
First Built 1991
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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
35.37
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
188.02
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
19.7
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.08
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.06 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,075.38 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 16 gals / 61 L
Water Capacity 32 gals / 121 L
How It Compares

vs. J/34, Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau, Sweden Yachts 340

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Elan 34 ★
34.1 ft
J/34
34.1 ft
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
34.1 ft
Sweden Yachts 340
34.0 ft
LWL
Elan 34 ★
27.8 ft
J/34
28.5 ft
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
29.9 ft
Sweden Yachts 340
27.9 ft
Beam
Elan 34 ★
10.8 ft
J/34
11.4 ft
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
11.8 ft
Sweden Yachts 340
11.5 ft
Displacement
Elan 34 ★
9 lbs
J/34
9 lbs
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
11 lbs
Sweden Yachts 340
12 lbs
Ballast
Elan 34 ★
3 lbs
J/34
3 lbs
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
3 lbs
Sweden Yachts 340
5 lbs
Sail Area
Elan 34 ★
J/34
525 sq ft
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
570 sq ft
Sweden Yachts 340
598 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Elan 34 ★
J/34
20.1
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
18.4
Sweden Yachts 340
17.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Elan 34 ★
35.4 %
J/34
41.3 %
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
34.0 %
Sweden Yachts 340
41.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Elan 34 ★
19.7
J/34
26.2
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
20.3
Sweden Yachts 340
25.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Elan 34 ★
2.08
J/34
1.71
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
2.13
Sweden Yachts 340
1.98
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Elan 34 ★
188
J/34
127
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
184
Sweden Yachts 340
258
Hull Speed
Elan 34 ★
7.1 kts
J/34
8.2 kts
Sun Odyssey 34 Jeanneau
7.3 kts
Sweden Yachts 340
7.1 kts
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