The name Pininfarina opens the hearts of fans of fast Italian sports cars. The traditional design studio in Turin, founded back in 1930, has played a key role in the development of legendary brands such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati and Lancia.
The designers have also made a name for themselves in other areas - for example in architecture, industrial design and boat building. Superyachts such as the exclusive 100-foot Wally Tango or Wally 101 bear the unmistakable signature of Pininfarina. And the Italians have even made their mark in series production: back in the late 1980s, they put the finishing touches to the First 45 F5 designed by Bruce Farr.
The nautical department of the designers was also involved in the Elan E6 from the very beginning. Both the exterior and the interior design were created by Pininfarina. On the other hand, the general construction plans, the dimensions and the technical specifications came from Humphreys Yacht Design in England - as has been customary for many years.
The Elan E6 is intended to be the start of a new direction. Compared to the smaller models in the current E line, the flagship focuses even more on sportiness and performance without compromising on comfort below deck - a difficult compromise. Can the shipyard manage this balancing act? How close does the Elan E6 come to the ideal of a modern performance cruiser?
In order to clarify this, YACHT travelled to Slovenia before the first public presentation, where construction number 1 was exclusively available to us for a test in the port of Portoroz.
The rear of the Elan E6 is huge
Striking right from the jetty: the wide and huge stern with the enormous bathing platform. The hatch is available in two sizes as an option. The two helmsman's seats aft are also only available for an extra charge, even with an integrated refrigerator and a built-in barbecue station on request. The stern remains open as standard and the view is less bulky.
The E6 is clearly recognisable as an Elan from the sporty range, for example by the narrow, trapezoidal hull windows. These are installed in a recess and thus protected from damage. The recess itself also serves as a stylistic device to visually stretch the freeboard and also as a structural reinforcement.
The layout in the cockpit is designed to meet the needs of active sailors. Primary and secondary sheet winches are available on the coaming for trimming the genoa and mainsail. Halyards, reefing and trimming lines lead over the mast foot under the cabin superstructure to two winches to the left and right of the companionway. Overall, this is a functional and tried-and-tested arrangement that works well for both regatta teams and family crews.
Despite the many distinctive yet unobtrusive design elements from Pininfarina, the new boat is visually true to the brand
The mainsheet runs on both sides from the boom cam onto the traveller recessed in the cockpit floor and from there directly onto the rear sheet winches. This makes trimming more direct and easier than with the usual German Cupper system, where the sheet paths are longer and there are more deflections. Disadvantage: The traveller is more difficult to operate because the entire sheet guide must always be moved at the same time as adjusting the sheet carriage. The shipyard counters this with large, high-quality fittings from Harken.
In general, the positioning and dimensioning of the guide blocks, clamps and winches is flawless and the add-on parts are of the best quality. The yacht builders in Slovenia make no compromises in this respect and do not cut corners at the expense of functionality.
Measured values of the Elan E6
The aluminium rig from Seldén is through-stepped and is tangled via two spreaders. As with the test boat, the same mast is available in a better version with Dyneema running rigging, better Dyform shrouds and two hydraulic tensioners for the split backstay. A higher carbon fibre rig with rod shrouds is also specified as an option.
If you choose this highest configuration level, you automatically get the performance keel with an impressive draught of 2.95 metres and a lead bomb. Even the standard cast iron T-keel has a draught of 2.80 metres, which is a lot compared to the competition. On the other hand, the shipyard can save on ballast, which is only 30 per cent. A keel with a draught of 2.40 metres is available for an extra charge. As is usual with performance boats, the sails are not included in the basic price; the owners determine the manufacturer, the number and the quality of the sails themselves. They have to factor in at least 22,000 euros for a simple outfit (main and genoa only); a complete wardrobe suitable for regattas costs 50,000 euros or more.
What the E6 does not offer is a self-tacking jib, not even at extra cost. However, a 1.20 metre long carbon bowsprit is already permanently attached to the bow as standard for additional space sails such as a gennaker or code zero. It also serves as an anchor holder and as a step for coming on board or going ashore.
The sailing characteristics of the Elan E6
A weak thermal with a force of 8 to 12 knots does not exactly offer tingling conditions during the test.
The Elan E6 made the best of it: hard on the wind, it marched at an average of 7.0 knots with a turning angle of 90 to 95 degrees. According to the performance data obtained, she runs fast at the cross, but not particularly high. For boats of this size and orientation, tacking angles of 80 to 85 degrees would be expected in similar conditions.
One possible reason for the lack of height is that the hull points for the short overlapping genoa are mounted relatively far out, on the running deck, and not on the cabin superstructure as on many current performance cruisers. This means that the Elan E6 has quite open sheet angles. A bypass could help here and could be retrofitted with little effort. There is no doubt that the Elan E6 has more potential in terms of height upwind than shown in the test, but you have to be able to utilise it.
Due to the large width and the flat frame at the stern, double rudder blades are necessary. This allows the boat to be steered excellently and reacts quickly and willingly during manoeuvres. Working the wheel is a pleasure and allows the helmsman to keep the boat optimally on the wind with a lot of feeling; this is not a matter of course for boats with two rudder blades. Humphreys Yacht Design has once again found the perfect balance and shape for this.
The steering system on the Elan E6 is also technically flawless. The well-dimensioned system from Jefa uses two separate cables to connect one steering wheel to each quadrant on the corresponding side. Both quadrants are connected below deck with a solid push rod. This means that if the steering fails on one side, the ship can still be fully controlled via the second, independent system.
The Elan E6 below deck
The interior of the Elan E6 is pleasing with its moderate, modern design language and cosy, inviting ambience. The influence of the Pininfarina designers is also evident here. The harmoniously curved lines and the repeated use of the hexagon as a unifying stylistic element create a visually unique position. It really is more like being on a luxurious cruising boat
rather than a sporty performance cruiser.
Owners live in the foredeck with plenty of room to move. However, the head end of the island bed faces forwards. As a result, the berth is only 1.30 metres wide at shoulder height - clearly too little for a yacht of this size. On the other hand, the bathroom is very generously proportioned, with plenty of space in the separable shower cubicle.
At the front, Elan offers a further extension option. Instead of the large wet room, there is a double cabin with two bunks. However, judging by the plans, this solution, designed primarily for the charter market, is very small. The remaining toilet room also shrinks considerably, making it a compromise solution. Other shipyards do not even offer a four-cabin version in this boat size in their performance segment; if at all, this is only an option elsewhere from a hull length of 50 feet.
The aft cabins of the Elan E6 are well dimensioned with a berth width of 1.47 metres in the shoulder area - even though there is a large technical room between the compartments. This provides perfect access to the built-in engine and saildrive as well as space for other technical installations such as heating, generator and water maker.
The storage space below deck is adequate. There are large cupboards fore and aft with good partitioning, as well as lockers and shelves. The galley also has usable storage compartments and drawers that are large enough even for pans and pots. In the saloon, on the other hand, there is a slight lack of storage space because the platforms of the sofas are mostly filled with on-board equipment.
In terms of aesthetics and substance, the E6 offers more than is usual in series boat construction. However, this is reflected in the price - and the weight.
The design of the Elan E6
Elan builds the entire interior itself, partly as prefabricated modules, but partly with individual customisation directly in the ship, which provides more flexibility. In terms of quality, the shipyard delivers the same standard for the new flagship of the E-Line as in the upmarket GT-Line.
The workmanship of the test boat is also impeccable in detail, even in areas that are not readily visible. The gap dimensions are correct, the fittings appear robust and resistant, the furniture foundations are sanded and the cut edges are varnished. And even the floorboards are clean, lie flat without creaking and are also screwed in place.
Elan also offers more than others when it comes to the secondary drive. In addition to the usual built-in diesel, all models have been available with individually configurable electric packages from Finnish manufacturer Oceanvolt since last year. For the E6, the shipyard recommends a system with two 15-kilowatt pod motors. Equipped in this way, the yacht should be able to reach a hull speed of 9.0 knots. However, the surcharge is steep: 112,900 euros! After all, a range of 65 miles is stated; a planned hybrid drive promises even greater autonomy. However, this could not be verified during the test, as construction number 1 had a conventional combustion engine.
But even in this version, Elan's new sporty flagship knows how to please. The Elan E6 is visually distinctive, sails precisely, transparently, agilely and demonstrates technical strength in every respect. Its versatility is also greater than that of all its direct competitors. This means that for many owners, it can actually be what seems to be only a theoretical ideal: the perfect performance cruiser - or at least the closest possible approximation to a boat that is just as suitable for high-speed sailing as it is for leisurely strolling around bays.
The Elan E6 was unable to win the European Yacht of the Year 2023 award in the Performance Cruiser category. This went to the First 36 from Beneteau.
Elan E6 in detail
YACHT rating
A successful compromise between sporty sailing pleasure, high living comfort and appealing aesthetics. The Elan E6 shows sailing potential. Her equipment fulfils high demands. With a deep keel and carbon mast, even more power is available
Design and concept
- + Elegant, independent look
- + High versatility
- + Elaborate, robust design
- + Functional deck layout
Sailing performance and trim
- + Good rigidity
- + Fast reactions
- +Perfect handling
- - Too little height in the wind
Living and finishing quality
- + Large wet rooms with shower
- + Beautifully built interior
- - Forward berth too narrow
- - Limited storage space in the lounge
Equipment and technology
- + High-quality basic equipment
- + E-drive possible on request
- + Top control system
- - No self-tacking jib possible
Technical data
- CE design category A
- Hull length 14.10 m
- Total length 15.30 m
- Waterline length 13.68 m
- Width 4.49 m
- Draught/altern. 2,80/2,95, 2,40 m
- Mast height above WL 22.26 m
- Theoretical hull speed 9.0 knots
- Weight 11.25 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion 3.3 t/29 %
- Mainsail 68.5 m2
- Furling genoa (106 %) 53.7 m²
- Engine (Yanmar) 42 kW/57 hp
- Fuel tank 240 litres
- Fresh water tank 370 litres
- Black water tanks 2x 70 litres
- Batteries 1x 90 Ah + 2x 140 Ah
Equipment and prices (as of 3/2022)
- Base price ex shipyard € 479,450
- Standard equipment, including: engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, lazy bags, fire extinguisher, electric cooler, holding tank
- For an extra charge: sails (main and genoa) € 22,000, anchor with chain € 2370, fenders/mooring € 1060, antifouling paint and clear sailing handover € 11,580
- Price ready to sail € 516,460
- Warranty/against osmosis 2/5 years
Surcharge for comfort equipment
- Hole points incl. line adjustment.
- Traveller with line guide incl.
- Electric windlass 5110 €
- Tube kicker incl.
- Backstay tensioner incl
- Jumping cleats incl.
- Sprayhood 3800 €
- Teak in cockpit incl.
- VHF radio nav. package
- Logger and echo sounder nav. package
- Wind measuring system Nav. package
- Autopilot Nav. package
- Navigator package € 17,600
- Charger incl.
- Shore connection with RCD incl.
- 230 volt socket (one) incl.
- 12-volt socket in the sat nav incl.
- Heating € 13,080
- Pressurised water system incl.
- Hot water boiler incl.
- Shower WC room incl.
- Cockpit shower incl.
- Comfort price € 556,040
Included in the price
Headsail furling system, carbon fibre bowsprit with anchor bracket, recessed mainsheet traveller, retractable cleats (6 pcs.)
Electronics
Comprehensive electronics package with all instruments and displays, optionally from B & G or Raymarine. Surcharge 17,600 euros
Motor and gearbox
Standard: Yanmar 4JH57 (57 hp) with saildrive and three-blade folding propeller. Optional 4JH80 (80 hp) or electric drive with twin pod motors. Surcharge for electric: 112,900 euros
Mast and rigging
Aluminium mast from Seldén, with two spreaders. Optional carbon fibre rig with rod shrouds. Sail from One-Sails (DCX laminate) approx. 22,000 euros
Equipment on deck
Genoa winches 2 x 60.2 radial, mainsheet winches 2 x 50.2, halyard winches 2 x 46.2 radial, complete set of rakes (Std.)
Shipyard
Elan Yachts, 4274 Begunje na Gorenjskem (Slovenia), www.elan-yachts.com
Distribution
Blue Yachting, 28237 Bremen, www.blue-yachting.de
