ELAN E3
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 30.35 ft |
| LWL | 28.58 ft |
| Beam | 10.56 ft |
| Draft | 7.05 ft |
| Displacement | 8,135 lb |
| Ballast | 2,201.7 lb |
| Material | 30’ 4”9.25 m |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Pmainsail luff | 15.85 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 13.55 ft |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 2 |
| Berths | 4 |
| Heads | 1 |
| Water | 37 L |
| Fuel | 11.9 L |
| CE category | About117 000€(2020) |
About the ELAN E3
Formerly the Elan 320. Rebranded the E3 in 2014. Optional keel draft: 1.9 m / 6.23 ft. Listed SA = Main and jib. Gennaker SA = 807.29 sq ft / 75 m² Mast height includes antenna. S3 is performance upgraded E3. Performance upgrade achieved by weight reduction in the hull and deck construction and lighter weight interior.
The Elan E3 is a 30.35 ft fractional sloop designed by Humphreys Yacht Design and built by Elan Yachts, with production records indicating a start year of 2014. Owner reports highlight a mix of high-performance sailing characteristics and specific structural maintenance concerns, particularly regarding the keel and rudder systems.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and performance-oriented sailors who prioritize speed and modern ergonomics, as evidenced by the high prevalence of Garmin and North Sails upgrades. It is less suited for those seeking a heavy-displacement, traditional bluewater trawler, given its light displacement of 8135.0 lb and low comfort ratio of 18.7.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.1 and a displacement of 8135.0 lb, the Elan E3 is primarily designed for coastal and nearshore cruising rather than extreme offshore passages, though its fin keel and fractional rig offer good upwind performance for shorter offshore trips.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 30 and the J/105, as they share similar fractional rig configurations and performance-focused hull forms from the same era. The Elan E3 distinguishes itself with a slightly wider beam of 10.56 ft and a more modern interior layout compared to these contemporaries.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| 60° | 5.3 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| 75° | 5.6 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 |
| 90° | 5.6 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 8.0 |
| 110° | 5.7 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.4 |
| 120° | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| 135° | 5.0 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 9.0 |
| 150° | 4.2 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 8.4 |
| Beat VMG | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Run VMG | 3.6 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.7 |
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
5 listings · boat years 1989–2006 · median $108,815
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 30.35ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
7 reported issues across 5 systems for the ELAN E3, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a ELAN E3? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 7 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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