Elan 310 - the cockpit

Okay, here's another little drop of info on the 310, this time let's take a closer look at the cockpit, which in my opinion is one of the major selling points on this pocket rocket...

Here's a (wide-angle) picture of the cockpit of the boat we testsailed in Poole.

First of all, this is a pretty large cockpit for a 31-footer. Actually, it's pretty large compared to just about anything under 37 feet unless its a pure sportboat. The only ones I've seen that actually come close to the 310 are the Archambaults, and they are a tad too much racing for me.

The most natural helming position is where the footrest is, which is about two feet forward of the transom, making it possible for another crewmember to sit even further aft when you need more weight aft.

The footrest is needed when close-hauled or heeling excessively, since it can get quite steep and the cockpit is wide. Very wide. The backstay adjustment is something we talked about a bit, since it runs down from behind the rudder and then below the deck forward to the mainsail track. This means that once it streches a bit you could "run out of rope" below deck and have to readjust. A better solution would just be to have all the blocks in the open.

The tiller feels good, rudder bites well.

The length of the cockpit benches is pretty good and there are plenty of places to sit, angles are right and there is enough support.

Helmsman sits right by the primary winches, giving you full control when shorthanded.

When in the helming position you see the pointy end, which I think is very important. Most other boats I've sailed really feel like parallell parking without turning your head, not so on the 310.

This boat had no autopilot, which in my opinion is a must, atleast for shorthanded. It didn't have a heater either, which made it hard to dry up the boat after our rather wet English afternoon - probably also a good idea.

It is ofcourse also a great cockpit for aftersail drinks.... :)