The yacht builders from Slovenia can now take off under new ownership. The new owner of the Elan brand (also skis, bicycles and other sporting goods) is the Luxembourg-based investment company KJK Management. The takeover deal was confirmed shortly before the end of 2018. This means that new developments now also appear to be possible for the yacht shipyard. Elan Yachts is currently working on a current update for the cruising programme with an Impression 45.1.
The ship is a successor to the Impression 434 (2004-2010), the Impression 444 (2010-2014) and the Impression 45 (2014-2018). The new boat also comes from the same moulds, which have been largely redesigned for the current update. The ship will now be significantly wider at the stern than its predecessors, and the stern will no longer slope downwards, but vertically. The cockpit is the main beneficiary of the extra space, where the space gained at the stern will be used for two additional seats for the helmsman. These can also serve as large stowage boxes on deck.
What remains is the choice of two differently sized bathing platforms. The standard version extends to the level of the cockpit floor. A larger platform closes off the cockpit aft up to the running deck. This is the right choice especially for family sailors with small children and for long trips on the high seas. A new feature is the split cockpit table, which allows free passage through the cockpit thanks to folding wings on both sides. The rig and sail plan of the previous models has been retained. The upper and lower shrouds are still on the inside, directly on the cabin superstructure. This means that the genoa can be built with a furling system with an overlap of up to 135 per cent. However, a self-tacking device for a jib is not planned, but a furling mast is on the list of options.
Elan has also changed almost everything below deck compared to the previous model. The galley is now positioned further forward in the boat, opposite the seating area with U-shaped sofa and additional bench seat in the centre of the boat. Instead, a navigation area with a larger work surface is now provided at the rear on the port side. Owners will want to extend the foredeck with an extremely spacious double cabin with two heads (separate toilet and shower). The alternative for the charter market provides for a further double cabin with bunk berths attached to the side in the foredeck. In this case, the toilet room is omitted.
The first Elan Impression 45.1 is now under construction and is due to be presented to the public at the beginning of the summer. The yacht builders from Slovenia have also already set a price: the well-equipped basic version will cost 245,020 euros ex shipyard, including sails and 19 per cent VAT.
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
