The Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 vs Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 at 31,4 ft versus Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016 at 30,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016 tips the scales at 9 457 lbs — 881 lbs less than the Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 at 8 576 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 18 hp for the Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 and 21 hp for the Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 12 gal and 11 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 8 576 lbs for the Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 and 9 457 lbs for the Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 6,2 ft and 7,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 uses a Single tiller versus a Twin helm wheels on the Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones.
Hull speed is rated at 7,2 knots for the Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016 and 7,2 knots for the Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009.
Bottom line: The Elan Yachts 310 Standard/Deep draft 2009 and Elan Yachts E3 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2016 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.