The Elan 333 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Elan 333

Underwater Profile: Bulb-fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 32'9" (10.0m)

Waterline Length: 28'9" (8.8m)

Beam: 11'4" (3.5m)

Draft: 6'3" (1.9m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 8,818lb (4,000kg)

Ballast: 3,351lb (1,520kg)

Designer: Rob Humphreys

Builder: Elan Yachts (Slovenia)

Year First Built: 1999

Year Last Built: 2005

Design Ratios

Design ratios are numerical expressions that help compare the characteristics of different sailboats. They can give an indication of how a boat is likely to perform under sail, but they are not definitive and should be used with caution. Some of the most common design ratios are:

• Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): This ratio measures the power of the sail plan relative to the weight of the boat. A higher SA/D means more speed potential, especially in light winds, but also more heeling and weather helm. A lower SA/D means more stability and comfort, but also less speed and responsiveness. The SA/D of the Elan 333 is 21.4, which is high for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it is a fast and powerful boat that requires good sail handling skills.

• Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D): This ratio measures the stability of the boat relative to its weight. A higher B/D means more resistance to heeling and capsize, but also more wetted surface and drag. A lower B/D means less stability and safety, but also less weight and drag. The B/D of the Elan 333 is 35%, which is average for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it has a good balance between stability and performance. 

• Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): This ratio measures the heaviness of the boat relative to its waterline length. A higher D/L means more displacement and volume, but also more drag and inertia. A lower D/L means less displacement and volume, but also less drag and inertia. The D/L of the Elan 333 is 156, which is low for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it is a light and agile boat that can accelerate quickly and plane easily.

• Comfort Ratio (CR): This ratio measures the comfort of the boat's motion in a seaway relative to its waterline length. A higher CR means more comfort and seaworthiness, but also more weight and cost. A lower CR means less comfort and seaworthiness, but also less weight and cost. The CR of the Elan 333 is 19.7, which is low for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it is not very comfortable or suitable for long passages or rough seas.

• Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): This formula measures the risk of capsize of the boat in extreme conditions. A higher CSF means more risk of capsize, while a lower CSF means less risk of capsize. The CSF of the Elan 333 is 2.1, which is high for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it has a low righting capability if capsized.

More about these important ratios...

Features

The Elan 333 has a modern hull shape with a fine entry, a flat run aft, and a moderate beam. It has a deep fin keel with a bulb that provides good lift and stability, which, together with the balanced spade rudder gives good control and manoeuvrability.

It has a fractional rig with swept-back spreaders that allow for a large mainsail and a small jib. It has an adjustable backstay that helps control the mainsail shape and twist.

Difference between masthead and fractional rig

The Elan 333 has an open transom cockpit with a single wheel that provides good visibility and access to the stern platform. It has a large cockpit locker on the port side that can store sails and other gear, and has a removable cockpit table that can be used for dining or chart work. There's an integrated instrument pod above the companionway that displays speed, depth, wind, and autopilot data.

The Elan 333 has a spacious interior for its size, with two cabins and one head. The forward cabin has a V-berth that can be converted into a double berth with an infill cushion, and has two hanging lockers and two shelves for storage. The aft cabin has a large double berth that extends under the cockpit sole, and has one hanging locker and one shelf for storage.

The saloon has an L-shaped settee on the port side that can be used as a single berth or converted into a double berth with an infill cushion. It has a folding table that can seat six people comfortably. It has two lockers and two shelves for storage.

The galley is on the starboard side of the saloon., comprising a two-burner stove with oven, a top-loading refrigerator, a double sink with hot and cold water, and ample counter space and storage.

The head is on the port side of the saloon. It has a manual marine toilet, a sink with hot and cold water, a shower with a drain pump, and a wet locker for hanging wet clothes.

The Elan 333 has a 12-volt electrical system with two batteries, one for the engine and one for the house. It has a 110-volt shore power system with a battery charger and an outlet in each cabin. It has a 12-gallon water heater that can be heated by the engine or shore power, and has a 20-gallon fuel tank and a 40-gallon water tank.

Sailing Performance

The Elan 333 is a fast and fun boat to sail. It has a powerful sail plan that can deliver impressive speeds in light to moderate winds. It can point high and tack quickly, thanks to its deep keel and balanced rudder. It can also reach and run well, thanks to its flat hull and large mainsail and can plane easily in strong winds, reaching speeds of over 10 knots.

The Elan 333 is also easy to sail and handle. It has a simple rig that can be adjusted from the cockpit with the help of winches and clutches. It has a self-tacking jib that makes short-handed sailing effortless. It has an autopilot that can steer the boat in most conditions. It has a single wheel that gives good feedback and steering response.

But the Elan 333 is not very comfortable or stable in heavy weather or rough seas. It has a low displacement and volume that make it prone to slamming and pounding. It has a high sail area and low ballast that make it heel excessively and generate strong weather helm.

Pros and Cons

Some of the pros are:

• Fast and fun to sail;
• Easy to sail and handle;
• Spacious interior;
• Modern design;
• Affordable price.

Some of the cons are:

• Not very comfortable or stable;
• Limited storage space;
• Slow to recover from a capsize;
• High maintenance cost;
• Scarce availability.

Market Value

The Elan 333 was produced between 1999 and 2005, with about 300 units built. The original price was around $100,000, depending on the options and equipment. The current market value ranges from $40,000 to $80,000, depending on the condition, location, and age of the boat.

The Elan 333 is not very common on the secondhand market, especially in North America. Most of the boats are located in Europe, where they were more popular as club racers or charter boats. The demand for the Elan 333 is moderate, as it appeals to sailors who are looking for a fast and fun boat that can also be used for cruising.