Design and Construction
Rob Humphreys shaped the 350 as a development of the 310, and the result is a bulb-keeled 34-footer with a spade rudder and fractional sloop rig. Elan built the early boats through 2012 with a raised mainsheet traveller track; from 2013 the traveller sits embedded in the cockpit floor, a change that tidies the working area without altering the essential layout. The hull carries a 25.9 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio on iron ballast of roughly 3,050 pounds, and the 7.7-foot draft (with a slightly shallower option) puts the center of gravity low. The 2011 review of the 350 noted the interior is plain and simple but well thought for the boat's small dimensions, with practicality and space-use prioritized over luxury or premium materials anchor.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig is built around a 35.9-square-meter mainsail and a 29.7-square-meter genoa, with six Harken winches handling the loads. Mainsheet traveller and backstay controls sit just ahead of the helm, and the genoa cars run on a pulley system that the review found works flawlessly even under load. Twin rudders give the 350 its signature feel: the sensitivity of the two blades is phenomenal, and because they sit outboard with deep profiles, the boat can beat at a steep angle of heel without broaching anchor. Owners report the 350 is excellent at manoeuvring both underway in strong winds and in port. With a 110-square-meter gennaker the boat easily matches wind speed at 6 to 7 knots of apparent wind, and with good trim and handling it can touch 12 to 15 knots on a broad reach.
Accommodations
Below, the 350 is pragmatic. A ceiling hatch in the lounge joins side windows to light the interior well, and a small hatch above the stove ventilates the galley while cooking. The two-cabin version trades the starboard aft cabin for a more spacious bathroom and a full-sized captain's table with seating oriented to the direction of sailing. The three-cabin layout instead accepts a smaller bathroom ahead of the starboard quarter berth and a more modest table lacking its own seat. In the cockpit, benches comfortably seat four, and a pull-out table stows completely away when sailing.
Performance Under Power
The 30-horsepower diesel draws from a 20-gallon tank, and owners report the 350 is not a heavy fuel user. At 7 knots under engine the consumption runs about 2.5 litres per hour. The same owners who praise manoeuvring also note the boat suits regattas with a gennaker yet works for family holidays or sailing with friends.
The Verdict
The Elan 350 is a sharply focused 34-foot performance cruiser that punches above its length under sail, especially downwind and when heeled, while keeping the cabin practical and the cockpit clear. The twin-rudder poise and gennaker speed are the headline strengths; the plain finish and tight three-cabin compromise are the trade-offs.
Pros
- Twin rudders give exceptional control and no broaching at steep heel
- 110 m² gennaker matches wind speed at 6–7 knots apparent
- Practical, space-efficient interior with good ventilation
- Low fuel burn under the 30 hp diesel
Cons
- Three-cabin version sacrifices bathroom size and table seating
- Interior finish prioritizes utility over luxury
- Early 2011–12 boats have raised traveller rather than flush floor track
