Elan 340 – Star Of The Show?
A BORN cynic when it comes to those annual boat ‘Oscars’, I was more than a little interested to find out if the Elan 340 matched her 2007 nomination at European Boat of the Year, writes YL racing editor Andi Robertson. The Elan 333 is hard to follow. In many respects it was one of the real standout performance cruiser racers of her size. Solidly built, stiff but quick in most wind strengths and straightforward to sail. Elan’s designer of choice, Rob Humphreys, had a 333 for six years, and it was allegedly on board his own boat that he started to look at where improvements could be made. Other than bringing the 340 up to date in terms of aesthetics, the stern is slightly fuller and more powerful to improve downwind speed and induce better form stability, and the bow sections are finer to enhance the performance in waves. The waterline length is stretched by 66cms over the 333 and the rig is 60cms taller. Launched at the late autumn boat shows of 2006, the 340 has sold well since and Bill Mackay of Premier Scotland is planning to campaign a race prepared version into next year. It was this version that we sailed in relatively benign conditions out of Elan’s home in the north of Britain; Troon Yacht Haven. Being a Mackay prepared boat it was pleasing, but in no way a surprise, to find the boat perfectly set up. A fresh set of laminate sails from Saturn Sails completed the package. As ever, if you have any pretensions to racing then going with a UK based sailmaker at least should allow a measure of customer service in making the boat go. Humphreys has achieved a sympathetic, clean lined boat. Of course tastes and styles have moved on since the 333, - it was very much a functional ‘lid’ on a nice hull, but the 340 has a subtle deckline with plenty of working space. There are two keel options. A 1.9m iron keel, or a deeper 2.1m lead/iron version. For the little extra money you’d be well advised to go for additional performance from the deeper keel. That spells more stability and better lift, especially in stronger breezes. The rig is 9/10ths configuration with twin aft swept spreaders, allowing masthead spinnakers to be set. Overall we reckon the £3,784 on the race pack is money well spent, upgrading to the Harken 44 ST’s as standard and the deep keel and the folding prop, dyneema running rigging, dyform standing rigging and the 8:1 backstay purchase. The deck layout is excellent, with the halyards led back through the deck. Up front there is a removable stainless bow roller. The option of a removable Furlex headsail furler is well worth it for the adaptable cruiser-racer. The cockpit is good. There is not a massive amount of space, but certainly ample for a trimmer, mainsheet and occasional pit person. The helm, as is common to the Humphreys Elans is well back in the boat. The backstay, traveller and mainsheet are to hand for the helm for short-handed sailing, but easily accessed for the dedicated mainsheet trimmer. The main is controlled on a 4:1 coarse and 12:1 fine tune which kept the sheet loads light. The 340 delivered on the water. It was a pleasure to sail, most of the time with just three, and when yours truly was on board, four. We had around 6-9 knots of breeze on a perfect, if slightly grey, day off the Ayrshire coast and never had any trouble keeping the boat in the groove upwind. Fully powered up the Elan 340 tracks with fingertip precision, but there is a sufficient feel in the helm to guide the boat precisely. Upwind we could make 6.2 knots or so, tacking through about 80°. There are plans to set up an in-hauler system on the headsail, but so far the optimum system has not been devised. The groove is comfortable and easy to maintain as is, but the in-hauler will just give a few more degrees of high mode. Off the wind with the spinnaker up the 340 holds a steady course, and leaves a neat, tidy wake. Heating it up on to a reach and going upwind, the boat feels stiff enough and able to carry sail area well. At no stage did we have any control issues, although winds were just touching 10 knots at a max. On a broad reach with the kite up we bubbled along nicely at just over 7.6 knots. There is the option of choosing to go with a short external, bow mounted sprit and asymmetric. For boats which will mainly cruise and do the odd day race then this would be a perfectly acceptable, functional option, especially for this sailing short-handed regularly. Certainly below decks is where the 340 scores, with more light, space and comfort. In truth I think you’d be hard pressed to see the new boat as quicker all round than its predecessor, but the thrust has been to modernise and offer a little more living space. There is a good, big aft cabin to port with a decent sized double with storage under it, a good hanging locker and a decent amount of natural light, plus reasonable standing headroom in the ‘entrance’ area. The galley is to port with the ice-box outboard of the forward facing sink. You’d like to have seen a little more working area, but with the twin sink a flip-over cover for one side would add to the food prep ability. Otherwise you are practically leaning over the cooker into the corner, but as ever with these things, in a practical world on a boat of this size you adapt. And in terms of space it certainly feels bigger than, say, the First 34.7. Opposite the nav station is perfectly good, with an ample chart table and plenty of stowage as well as panel space to mount instruments. The main saloon is excellent. Spacious, comfortable and airy. In the context of what you would expect this boat to be used for in northern waters it is ideal. You can imagine cosy meals with family and friends at holiday times, as well as staying comfortably on board at, say, West Highland Week. To starboard is a long saloon seat which makes a seventh berth. The light wood finishes are modern and clean, which enhances the spacious feel. Up front the forward cabin is spacious with a good big double, with matching lockers opposite each other to port and starboard. Overall at this stage I’d happily endorse the 340 for its Yacht of the Year status. It does everything it sets out to do well, but it is a competitive size in the market facing up to stiff competition from the Beneteau 34.7, the new Dufour 34 and to a lesser degree in cruising terms, but better on the race course, the A35. The Elan package at £80,000 for the standard boat, delivered Troon, is excellent and well worth a second look and a sail. It will be interesting to see how the boat does on the Clyde race course next year.