With a length of just over 34 feet, a 33-foot waterline, a beam of nearly 11.5 feet, and displacement of around 11,800 pounds, the 350 is a compact, purposeful racer-cruiser rather than a family boat designed to maximize interior volume.
Design and Construction
Rob Humphreys developed the 350 from the Elan 310, producing a bulb-keeled 34-footer with a spade rudder and fractional sloop rig. The hull has a 25.9 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio, with roughly 3,050 pounds of iron ballast. Its 7.7-foot draft—though a slightly shallower option was available—places the center of gravity low.
On boats built through 2012, the mainsheet traveller track is raised. From 2013 onward, Elan embedded the traveller in the cockpit floor, tidying the working area without changing the basic layout.
A 2011 review described the interior as plain and simple but well thought out for the boat’s compact dimensions, prioritizing practicality and efficient use of space over luxury or premium materials.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig carries a 35.9-square-meter mainsail and a 29.7-square-meter genoa, with six Harken winches handling the loads. The mainsheet traveller and backstay controls sit just ahead of the helm. The genoa cars use a pulley system that the review found worked flawlessly, even under load.
Twin rudders define the 350’s handling. The sensitivity of the two blades is phenomenal, and their outboard position and deep profiles allow the boat to beat at a steep angle of heel without broaching. Owners report that the 350 manoeuvres very well both under sail in strong winds and in port.
With a 110-square-meter gennaker, the boat can easily match wind speed in 6 to 7 knots of apparent wind. With good trim and handling, it can reach 12 to 15 knots on a broad reach.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit benches comfortably seat four. A pull-out table stows completely away while sailing, leaving the working area clear.
Below, the layout is pragmatic. A ceiling hatch in the saloon works with the side windows to bring in plenty of light, while a small hatch above the stove ventilates the galley during cooking.
The two-cabin version replaces the starboard aft cabin with a more spacious bathroom and a full-sized captain’s table, with seating oriented in the direction of sailing. The three-cabin layout has a smaller bathroom ahead of the starboard quarter berth and a more modest table without its own seat.
Performance Under Power
The 30-horsepower diesel draws from a 20-gallon fuel tank. Owners report that the 350 isn’t a heavy fuel user: at 7 knots under engine, consumption is about 2.5 litres per hour.
The same owners who praise its manoeuvrability also say the boat is well suited to regattas with a gennaker, while remaining practical 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, particularly downwind and when heeled. At the same time, it retains a practical cabin and a cockpit that can be kept clear while sailing.
Its twin-rudder poise and gennaker performance are the headline strengths. The trade-offs are a plain interior finish and the tighter compromises of the three-cabin layout.
Pros
- Twin rudders provide exceptional control and resist broaching at steep angles of heel
- The 110 m² gennaker can match wind speed in 6–7 knots of apparent wind
- Practical, space-efficient interior with good light and ventilation
- Low fuel consumption from the 30 hp diesel
Cons
- The three-cabin version sacrifices bathroom space and dedicated table seating
- Interior finish favors utility over luxury
- Boats built in 2011–12 have a raised traveller rather than the later track embedded in the cockpit floor
