The announcement comes with a big bang and is likely to cause quite a stir in the yacht building industry. It was only in March of this year that the Slovenian boatbuilder announced the temporary shutdown of its production and at the same time announced a strategic reorganisation of its corporate structures and brand portfolio. At the time, shipyard representatives expected the restructuring and reorganisation of the brand and production to take at least twelve months (We have reported about it). After a break of just over six months, the new plans are now available - with real potential for surprises.
The SixtyFive combines high-performance technology with long-distance capability. The hull, a construction by J&J Design in collaboration with Guillaume Verdier, is designed to glide at speeds as low as 14 knots. The hull, i.e. the hull and deck as well as all structural components, are made from a mix of carbon and glass fibre with epoxy resin and a foam core. The laminates, which are constructed using a vacuum infusion process, are then cured at 60 to 90 degrees in order to achieve maximum strength. The complete boat, including the carbon fibre rig, interior fittings and all add-on parts, should only weigh around 17 tonnes when ready to sail. Of this, 6.5 tonnes are suspended as ballast in the form of a 3.5 metre deep T-keel with a lead bomb. The proportion of ballast is 38 per cent.
A combination of performance and luxury
The sail plan also promises maximum performance. The high three-saling rig made of carbon fibre is positioned far aft, well behind the centre of the hull. The large, overlapping genoa and the high, slim mainsail with square-top head provide a total sail area of 254 square metres downwind. For a blue-water curiser of this size, this is clearly above average, more on a par with designated ocean racing yachts. The SixtyFive will also be equipped with digital load monitoring and a customised autopilot system based on the IMOCA model.
Despite the clear focus on performance, the SixtyFive places great emphasis on comfort and ergonomics. The gently sloping companionway ladder with a height of just 100 cm makes it easy to move between the cockpit and saloon. Below deck, lightweight sandwich furniture saves weight without compromising on the quality of workmanship. The owner's cabin has a walk-in wardrobe and all cabins are equipped with separate showers and toilets. "The Elan SixtyFive is a performance sailing yacht born from a passion for innovation and visionary design, combined with refined hydrodynamic excellence," says designer Jernej Jakopin from J&J Design at the project launch.
New era for Elan
Jeffrey Tirman, new Managing Director of the Elan Group, emphasises the strategic importance of the project: "Elan has the skills, the people and the technology to operate at the highest level in composite materials. The Elan SixtyFive marks the beginning of this new era, combining industrial precision, advanced materials and design integrity to set a new standard for owner-sailed blue water performance." The company from Begunje in Slovenia is combining industrial precision manufacturing with traditional yacht building in this project, utilising its many years of experience in the production of composite materials. The SixtyFive will be the first and "smallest" boat in the new series. Larger projects of 70 and 80 feet in length are planned.
Technical data Elan SixtyFive
- Designer: J&J Design / Guillaume Verdier
- Hull length: 19.85 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 21.35 m
- Width: 4.99
- Length waterline: 19.41 m
- Draught (Std.): 3.50 m
- Weight (empty): 17,0 t
- Ballast/proportion: 6.5 t / 38 %
- Mainsail: 147.0 m2
- Genoa (106 %): 109.0 m2
- Code Zero: 171.0 m2
- Gennaker: 366.0 m2
- Motorisation: Yanmar built-in diesel 110 hp /
- Fuel capacity: 1,000 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 500 litres
- CE design category: A
