European Elans Make Strong Impact Downunder

by Julie Sharpe on 4 Apr 2006 A combination of experienced high tech European manufacturing and a successful British yacht designer has been making waves on the world yachting scene.

Slovenian manufacturer Elan started back in 1949 building wooden snow skis, kayaks, powerboats and yachts near the picture perfect, beautiful lakeside town of Bled. Now almost 50 years later, Elan is amongst the foremost European GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastics) technology leaders and a significant force in European yacht building.

On the Olympic and European skiing scene with a top selling range of skis and snowboards and on the yachting scene, with quality high tech products they have made a solid mark. Elan uses high volume GRP manufacturing methods, employing advanced production techniques including vacuum assisted infusion lamination (VAIL). This method provides vastly superior laminate quality and strength with much higher glass to resin ratios.




More than a decade ago Elan teamed up with British naval architect Rod Humphreys, a significant racing and cruiser designer.

Humphreys has been responsible for such high performance projects as the Whitbread race yachts and the BT Global Challenge fleet. He was one of the lead designers for the GBR America’s Cup challenge 2003 and he co-designed Ellen MacArthur’s successful Open 60 Kingfisher.

The 2004/2005 Global Challenge Race was a 12 strong fleet of Humphreys’ designed yachts.

A major concentration of his work now is the design of premiere bluewater cruisers, a mix of custom design and the production marques of Elan, Oyster and Southerly.

Amongst the most recent successes are the Elan 37, an IRC cruiser racer and the distinctive new cruising range, ‘Impression by Elan’.

Elan’s production is around 400 boats a year. Built under the permanent technical supervision of Germanischer Lloyd, each Elan boat carries the highly regarded world-wide GL certificate.

Major markets have been across Europe including Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the UK and Scandinavia but in recent years Elan has been making a strong impact across the US, Australia and New Zealand.

The blue water cruiser range goes from 10.3 to 13.4m and the performance cruisers run from 9.4 to 12.2m. The boats range in price from around $200,000 up to about $550,000. The Elan range continues to expand with the mid year release of a new high-tech 34 foot open transom performance cruiser destined to bring a truly exciting spark to competitive sailing.

On the Australian scene, Rod Parry and Gael Moldán of Elan Yachts - Navsail are the importers and pioneers of the Elan range 'down under'

Gael Moldán recounts; ‘It took a year or so for Australian buyers to recognise the strength of the design and the experience and reputation Elan has across Europe. One of the attractive things from a yachting ownership viewpoint is that Elan’s emphasis is on excellent design and technology, not just on cosmetics.

Elan sales are progressing well in Australia and we’ve had a really great positive start to the New Year.’

Elan’s most recent addition to their successful ‘Impression’ cruising range, the Impression 344 was elected the European Yacht of the Year 2006 at the Düsseldorf International Boat Show, in the category of up to 10m.

The 344 has proven very popular since her launch in September 2005 with a great deal to offer the cruising family – stunning design, impressive performance and stability, easy to sail with wonderful comfort, space and headroom along with generous storage capacity for fuel, water and stores for the holiday cruise.

With all the distinctive features of her bigger sisters cleverly designed and configured into her 34ft, she comes with options of two or three cabin layouts; the twin cabin version offering the much desired luxury of a separate shower.

Gael Moldán continues. ‘Elan Yachts has the design, the build, the strength and the stability rating; the whole quality package is there. Initially people here saw a name they did not know. But it never really worried us because back in history, in the local market, there were the first Beneteaus and the first Bavarias.

‘And the 37’s have been going well in competitive sailing. Now people come to us and say ‘I’ve been hearing all about these Elans, I want to see them.’ We have every model that Elan produce at the moment in Australia and every model has been sold.

Where will people next be able to see Elan? Well, if you happen to be anywhere near Melbourne, Australia, this coming weekend, 8th and 9th April, it will be well worth a visit to The Club Marine Boat Show at Sandringham. The exhibit is in conjunction with Victorian Agents Webster Marine. We will have the Elan 37, the Impression 344 and the Impression 434 displayed. Later Elan will also be at the Sydney International Boat Show and there will be open days soon.’

At the Split Boat Show, Croatia, from 1st-9th April, on display will be the Impression 344, 384 and 434, and the Elan 35P and 42P

At the Portoroz Boat Show in Slovenia, from 9th to 14th May, on display will be the Elan 340, 37, 35P and 42P and the Impression 344, 384 and 434.

At the Moscow Boat Show this year, both the Elan 35P and the 42PP will be on display.

For more information in Australia call 02 9999 6730 or visit www.navsail.com.au

For general information worldwide visit the Elan Marine Website and enquire for your local Elan Dealer

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