The type designation GT6 suggests a ship of 60 feet in length. In reality, however, the new ship from Elan Yacht with a hull length of 14.30 metres is "only" a 47-footer, as anyone interested should know. But that doesn't make the boat any less exciting or attractive. The design from Humphreys Yacht Design scored very well in the YACHT test. The yacht builders in Slovenia have called on the renowned Studio F. A. Porsche in Austria to design the boat. The design is very unique, but also goes hand in hand with the look of its smaller sister, the Elan GT5, which is around two metres shorter (YACHT 8/2017 test).
Elan now offers the Explorer version in the form of a fairly extensive equipment package to meet the requirements of blue water sailors who also plan trips away from the usual barefoot routes. The shipyard reinforces the hull structures and also installs two completely watertight bulkheads forward and aft. This is intended to prevent water ingress in the event of a collision or defect. The aft peak with the two rudder blades will then be isolated from the rest of the boat. Elan is also equipping its flagship with a self-tacking jib as standard instead of an overlapping genoa. A staysail is also feasible for the long strokes on the high seas. However, this requires the shipyard to additionally reinforce the deck structures in the foredeck area and the hull-deck connections.
Options for good protection from the sun and weather
The Explorer version also comes with a tarpaulin bracket above the cockpit as standard. It accommodates the mainsheet guide and can be used as an attachment base for a large sprayhood, a fixed dodger or a flexible bimini as sun protection. In addition, the GT6X can be equipped with a powerful solar system with an output of 1,187 Wp (Watt Peak), which charges the lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 840 Ah. This is enough to power a watermaker with a capacity of 100 litres per hour and all other consumers except the air conditioning system. Below deck, the shipyard has not changed much compared to the standard version. All berths on the Explorer version are fitted with leeboards and more handrails that are easier to reach are also installed. A washing machine and dishwasher are also provided.
With all optional extras, the base price for the GT6X is around 672,230 euros, gross, including 19% VAT. This makes the Explorer version around 60,000 euros more expensive than the GT6 in the basic version (612,700 euros). However, the sails are not yet included in the basic package. The simple set (mainsail, jib) adds at least 22,000 euros to the budget.
The Elan GT6X will be making its world premiere at the leading in-water boat show, the Cannes Yachting Festival, in September. The current preview of the show on the Côte d'Azur with all the premieres will be available in three parts this week at YACHT online. Click here for part I
Technical data Elan GT6 Explorer
- Designer: Humphreys Yacht Design
- Design and styling: Studio F. A. Porsche
- Hull length: 14.32 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 15.14 m
- Width: 4.49 m
- Draught: 2.45 m (standard) / 1.99 m (short keel optional)
- Weight: 13.3 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion: 3.9 t/29 %
- Mast height above waterline: 21.9 m
- Mainsail: 62,60 m²
- Standard self-tacking jib: 51.14 m²
- Gennaker: 1,53 m²
- Standard engine: Yanmar 4JH57 (60 hp) / Saildrive
- Motorisation optional I: Yanmar 4JH80 (80 hp) / Saildrive
- Motorisation optional II: Oceanvolt electric (twin) / 15 kW
- Fuel capacity: 500 litres (stainless steel)
- Fresh water capacity: 300 litres (PVC)
- Base price ex shipyard: 672,230 euros (gross, incl. 19 % VAT).
