Tried. Elan GT5. Gran Turismo concept arrives on the water

Just named Croatian Boat of the Year, the new Elan GT5, which we tested on the water in Portorož, Slovenia, is the progenitor of Elan’s new Gran Turismo range. This 42-footer is a boat that goes to put together a sporty hull (it has the same pedigree as the S5 i.e., hull edge, double rudder blade and T-bulb) with premium interiors and a deck that also looks to the cruising world. Also designed by Ron Humphreys, this semi-deck hull is the perfect solution for those who do not want to sacrifice either performance or cruising comfort.

The boat’s cockpit is very large and livable and has some new features: instead of having a single central table there are two divided ones that can be joined so that all people can eat together while sitting on the two benches. At the same time, the folding wings of the table can be lowered to create two sunbeds with cushions. Also in the stern is the possibility of having an outdoor kitchen equipped with a sink and barbecue, hidden inside two lockers.

All deck equipment is from Harken, the mast is from Selden and rests on the deck, as for the rigging the mainsail is provided in traditional or full batten also furling, while in the bow there is the option of having the overlapping jib with Furlex furling recessed or a self-tacking system. Of course, all maneuvering, being a Grand Touring hull, designed for the family, is deferred to a winch at the helmsman’s reach for ease of handling even with a small crew.

Luigi Coretti, sales director of Adria Ship, Elan’s importer for Italy was on board with us during the test run and introduced us to the Slovenian shipyard’s new model. As a reminder, the Elan GT5 can be tested on the water in Portorož, Slovenia, from March 24-26 by appointment.

AN EXTREMELY RIGID 5-STAR CONSTRUCTION
The construction is 100% vacuum-infused vinylester (both hull and deck), the internal structure is made in infusion: it is no longer handkerchiefed afterwards but is 3d infused together with the hull to have a monolithic structure; the bulkheads are handkerchiefed on both hull and deck. The Elan GT5 is therefore an extremely rigid boat.

REAL CRUISER INTERIOR

Descending below deck, one immediately notices the extreme quality of the solid woods (thus no longer a simple veneer) The two-cabin version includes a large shower stall as standard; a three-cabin, two-bathroom version is also planned (in this version the shower stall becomes an optional extra). The galley, moved forward to give more livability to the dinette, is very large, with a work area with a sink opposite the oven with burners. Among the optional extras, the shipyard has also provided a scomaprsa microwave oven at the push of a simple electric button. Clever solution found for the chart table that appears by “flipping” a sofa seat on the right broadside as we show you in the video below.

IN NAVIGATION… UNDER ALL CONDITIONS
Leaving port in light wind conditions, we set the bow toward the Italian end of the Gulf of Trieste in search of higher pressure; the apparent angle to the wind of 120 degrees enabled us to hoist the gennaker immediately and touch a speed of 8.2 knots in a wind of 9.9.

Going upwind, however, conditions changed; the wind strengthened, often exceeding 17 knots, and the speed recorded at an apparent angle of 40° was 7.6 knots.

Thanks to the double rudder blades (necessary on a boat with such a large beam and a rather flat hull), the boat remains easily manageable even when heeling to windward and provides a greater sensitivity to lift-offs. The loads on the wheel are less, which also makes it easier for the autopilot to work.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Lft: 13.20 m
Larg: 3.91 m
Pesc: 2.45 m
Displacement. 8,300 kg
www.adriaship.it