The Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 vs Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 measures 37,2 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016 at 34,1 feet (2016). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 tips the scales at 15 763 lbs — 3 968 lbs more than the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016 at 11 795 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 — 30 hp for the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 and 30 hp for the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 carries 29 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 displaces 15 763 lbs — a 3 968-lb difference over the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016 at 11 795 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,8 ft and 7,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 uses a Single helm wheel versus a Twin wheels on the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 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 7,9 knots for the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 and 7,7 knots for the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 carries 66 gallons versus 49 gallons on the Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Elan Yachts 380 Standard/Deep draft 2008 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 15 763 lbs displacement and 37 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Elan Yachts S4 Deep draft/Shoul draft/Standard 2016 at 11 795 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.