Elan relaunches and announces a leap forward in both technology and product

Renewal time at Elan Yachts, which has announced a path of “strategic realignment,” announcing a leap forward in both technology and product.

The “innovative” DNA of Elan Yachts

The Slovenian shipyard on the other hand has always stood out among manufacturers for its unconventional models that have set market trends.

Born in the late 1940s as a builder of kayaks and canoes, Elan would only seriously enter the world of sail boating with the advent of fiberglass and the 1970s, soon becoming, by the next decade, among the big players in the world of sport cruising. The 1980s first, with J&J, the 1990s later, with designer Rob Humphreys, would be the real leap forward, leading to the fame of the brand we all know today.

Here we have selected for you five iconic Elan models, from 9 to 13 meters, that are now coveted “Classic Boats.”

Elan 295

specifications: 9.48 x 2.98 m; 1996-2002; Rob Humphreys

A small gem from the Slovenian yard, the Elan 295 is a very compact but exceptional performance-cruiser. Cabin-friendly, cozy and docile at the helm, Humphreys’ design will quickly prove to be particularly clever, a hull that is yes sporty, but not over-sailed and with moderate leaps. Including pronounced stern sections and a set-back maximum beam, she will be a particularly popular and enjoyable boat, available, moreover, in a sport version.

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Elan 31 (33)

specifications: 9.40 x 3.30 m; 1983-1989; #1000; J&J Design & Niels Jeppesen

The Elan 31 confronts us with a very important hull in the yard’s history: its first major success. Signed by J&J Design and Niels Jeppesen, it was in fact a real milestone worth no less than 1,000 hulls built. First launched in 1983, with minor modifications, from 1987 she was renamed Elan 33, setting a total new standard for the comfortable and fast performance cruiser segment. Well explains, then, the award for best production boat to its R (Racing) version at the 1985 Quarter Ton Cup.

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Elan 333

specifications: 9.99 x 3.46 m; 1999-2005; #N/A; Rob Humphreys

Designed by British archistar Rob Humphreys, the 333 is one of the great boats of the turn of the century, a compact and fast performance cruiser, as well as a particularly balanced one. Just under the 10-meter mark, it is in fact a hull with a contained beam, fractional mast and well quartered spreaders, seeking a balanced marriage between pace and on-board comfort. It is the answer Elan seeks in its mission toward compromise, thus offering a boat that is yes fast, but also particularly versatile.

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Elan 362

specifications: 10.68 x 3.52 m; 1999; #N/A; Rob Humphreys

Big sister of the 333, with the 362 we have the Briton’s second design for 1999. The search for a compromise between performance and comfort remains here as well, with sleek lines and a complete and cozy interior, but the layout, even given the larger volumes, is more cruise-like. That is not to say, however, that versatility is diminished. A safe and versatile boat, it too is in fact designed for the pursuit of speed, without, however, precisely disdaining cruising and relaxation for this.

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Elan 431

specifications: 12.98 x 4.00; 1989; #N/A; J&J Design

It is 1989 and the Slovenian firm J&J signs one of the most beautiful boats of the late decade. It is the 431, a hull as distinctive at its launch as it was a forerunner, anticipating future trends that every yard would go on to follow. Strong in the classic Elan balance, capable of hybridizing comfort and speed, here, however, and precisely, the innovations of the years to come emerge: stepped stern, retractable deckhouse and large cockpit, capable of marrying ergonomics for racing with those for day-sailing or cruising.

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The re-launch of Elan Yachts

Back to the present day and talking about the future. The press release from Elan Yachts, which to date has three ranges of different sailboats in production, from 35 to 50 feet (E Line, Impression, GT Line) reads as follows: ” Elan Yachts has always been driven by a passion for innovation and performance. To ensure that Elan Yachts continues to offer the best to our loyal customers, we have decided to undertake a complete strategic realignment. The main focus of this process is a complete reworking and repositioning of our product offering. Our goal is to relaunch as soon as possible an exciting and redefined portfolio of yachts that remain true to our core values of innovation, quality, and performance “.

In Italy, the yard’s boats are imported by Adria Ship.