It is THE surprise of Düsseldorf. Only completed at the last moment, the Elan 210 has what it takes to be a trade fair star. Modern construction paired with a well thought-out design, all at a fair price.
The Slovenians have already made their mark with their larger performance cruisers, the Elan models 310 and 350. They were the first high-volume manufacturer to equip their yachts with features borrowed from single-handed ocean racing. Both are selling well and have been convincing in comparative tests.
Now they are adapting the successful formula in a size segment that has either not been served by the big players in the industry at all or not for a long time: with a small cruiser that looks like a kind of civilian mini-transat racer: flat, wide, well rigged with a gennaker and relatively easy to handle. It looks like a one metre longer version of the Seascape 18, and the main design features are the same.
With her lifting keel and wide stern, the Elan 210 has a high righting moment. The hull lines predestine her for fast planing and the speed prediction programme states a maximum speed of 14 knots out of the wind.
Theoretical values at first, but her big sister, the 350, proved in the tests for the European Yacht of the Year award in November that she can fulfil the specifications of designer Rob Humphreys. It will be incredibly exciting to explore the potential of the 6.50 metre short speedster, which is not exactly ultra-light due to its relatively complete outfitting.
In fact, the Elan 210 is designed to be both a sports bike and a tourer. This makes it even more surprising below deck. Very well thought-out details will please small boat owners, for whom other shipyards offer rudimentary fittings at best, often still characterised by the style of the eighties. The 210 is different: smart, innovative and bigger than it looks from the outside.
The double berth in the bow, which can be visually separated with two roll-out foil dividers, measures 1.60 metres in shoulder width, and the two of you won't get in each other's way in the footwell either. The galley has a single-burner cooker, a sink with foot pump and a 55-litre water tank.
A chemical toilet fits under the cushion of the double berth on request. There is plenty of storage space. The outboard motor rests in a large floor compartment in the cockpit, which can be inserted through a shaft and operated out of sight if required. It can be a little fiddly in waves off the harbour entrance until you have balanced the whisk in the bracket, but this setup is always better than an engine attached aft, which messes up the weight trim and on which the mainsheet likes to get caught in the jibe.
The fittings are of good quality and easy to operate. The aft traveller, which runs across almost the entire width and is operated centrally on both sides of the cockpit, is a nice feature.
The Seldén bowsprit is even more beautiful. As with the large Elans, it is mounted in its own GRP box, runs on a rail and can be retracted and extended from the cockpit. It couldn't be better.
There is also a deep anchor locker and a bow fitting that can be removed with a flick of the wrist. Details that are well thought out and functional. The finish is also impressive. There is virtually nothing to criticise about the prototype, which was only completed three days before the start of the trade fair.
There's no doubt about it: this boat enriches the market. Like the 310 and the 350, it could become a trendsetter if it proves itself on the water.
Fully equipped, the Elan 210 will cost around 30,000 euros. A fair offer. If you want to take a closer look, you should come to boot Düsseldorf during the week. There are bound to be long queues at the weekend.
