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04-10-2018, 21:05
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 11
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Need advice on Elan boats
Hello all, new to the forum. Need advice with Elan boats, particularly interested in the Impression series.
The plan:: 3 year sabbatical. Purchase a 40-45 footer live aboard in the Med, spend a year in Turkish coast/ Greek islands get repairs and upgrades done. Sail west for the second year and catch up with ARC fleet. Cross the Atlantic and spend the rest of the time in Caribbean until money runs out. Sell her in Caribbean or in Florida and go back to work.
The crew: : Wifey and I - no kids, no pets, no friends - looking forward to make some during the adventure.
The boat: After long consideration and research we have decided to buy a production boat. So lets just leave it there. Until recently I was convinced Beneteau 423 was the boat for our needs. There is ample amount of resources available for 423 which was tremendous help with the decisions. Than we came across Elan Impression series. I really like what I see so far however for a series that has been in production for almost a decade and a half there is barely any info available hence looking to connect with those who can enlighten us or point us the right direction. Particularly interested Impression 444 or her predecessor 434.
Looking forward for your comments.
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05-10-2018, 07:37
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Portugal/Med
Boat: Comet 41s
Posts: 6,140
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
I would say that the Elan is better built than the Oceanis, meaning that it uses technologies that are used in more expensive boats and better resin but in what regards used boats the condition of the boat is probably the more important factor.
I once meet a impression owner (for several years) and he only had nice things to say about the boat.
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05-10-2018, 09:56
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 11
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
Thank you Polux for your input. Point taken in regards to condition.
I understand Elan hulls are built using technologically advanced methods than hand laid laminate. Elan website claims the "3D VAIL" vacuuming result in lighter and stronger and stiffer hull but not sure if that is reality or marketing fluff.
Primary focus in my research is construction quality and built. I know they are designed by a well respected naval architect, they are relatively fast, folks cross oceans with them, well kept examples hold their value, have relatively good AVS and STIX which is all good stuff but how about construction details. Hull deck joints, bulkheads (I noted in some other elan models Elan claims they are truly structural but not sure if it is the case in Impression) , rudder post, keel joints -are they really overbuilt as Elan claims?
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05-10-2018, 17:02
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Portugal/Med
Boat: Comet 41s
Posts: 6,140
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
Quote:
Originally Posted by zilli
Thank you Polux for your input. Point taken in regards to condition.
I understand Elan hulls are built using technologically advanced methods than hand laid laminate. Elan website claims the "3D VAIL" vacuuming result in lighter and stronger and stiffer hull but not sure if that is reality or marketing fluff.
Primary focus in my research is construction quality and built. I know they are designed by a well respected naval architect, they are relatively fast, folks cross oceans with them, well kept examples hold their value, have relatively good AVS and STIX which is all good stuff but how about construction details. Hull deck joints, bulkheads (I noted in some other elan models Elan claims they are truly structural but not sure if it is the case in Impression) , rudder post, keel joints -are they really overbuilt as Elan claims?
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No, not overbuilt but I would say better than Oceanis. More expensive boats use almost all infusion technics (3d vail is that) and cored hulls, on this case only above waterline, a system used for instance by Oyster.
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05-10-2018, 17:32
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
I cannot comment on Elan build quality as I never built one. But I sailed some. Overall, they were performing truly well - light on the helm, balanced - more of a sailor's boat than many other modern plastick fantastick boats. The ones I sailed, I liked sailing them.
I would definitely NOT think they are overbuilt in any way. Btw overbuilding does not warranty long life or strength. It only makes the boat heavier, which in turn makes it weaker. Look for overengineering rather than overbuilding. If anything. When things are well designed and well built, they do not need to be overbuilt.
Cheers,
b.
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06-10-2018, 09:08
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Aboard
Boat: Beneteau Sense 50
Posts: 78
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
I was almost going to purchase the Elan 45 impression just about a week ago! BRAND NEW from the Southampton boat show.
Of all the production boats I walk on, it just felt really well put together. Cabinets aligned, material better than average, and I love the Vacume hull Constructuon.
Plus, the sales guy was the most helpful of all the manufactures.
But, I ended up buying what i came for...a Beneteau Sense 50.
Is there a way to do a private message on this site???
Hit me up, I’ll share more about my research with you.
In all though, I give the Elan double thumbs up!
Cheers
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06-10-2018, 09:12
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boat in Greece
Boat: Lagoon 400
Posts: 1,430
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
We have friends with 43.4. Excellent boat. Having cross the Atlantic on Ben42.3 I woul take the Elan instead without thinking much.
__________________
Mark, S/Y Bat-Yam
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06-10-2018, 17:06
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tortola
Posts: 756
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
I took the Elan 43 from the Caribbean to Cape Town via Brazil and Tristan da Cunha last year. Apart from the backstay parting, she behaved pretty well....
Tony
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06-10-2018, 17:09
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 11
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunterdog
I was almost going to purchase the Elan 45 impression just about a week ago! BRAND NEW from the Southampton boat show.
Of all the production boats I walk on, it just felt really well put together. Cabinets aligned, material better than average, and I love the Vacume hull Constructuon.
Plus, the sales guy was the most helpful of all the manufactures.
But, I ended up buying what i came for...a Beneteau Sense 50.
Is there a way to do a private message on this site???
Hit me up, I’ll share more about my research with you.
In all though, I give the Elan double thumbs up!
Cheers
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Thanks Hunterdog- would love to pick up your brain. The forum wont let me send you a private msg bcz I am new but please reach out to me kaslaner@hotmail.com
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06-10-2018, 17:37
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 11
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
Thank you all for your input. This is great. Please keep it coming.
Hunterdog- love to pick up your brain re your research. I tried to PM you but the forum wont allow me bcz I am new. Anyone aware of datasets, booklet or user manual of these boats-are they posted anywhere? All I was able to find is a company brochure.
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07-10-2018, 00:50
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Aboard
Boat: Beneteau Sense 50
Posts: 78
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
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07-10-2018, 03:05
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sydney
Boat: Salona 44
Posts: 7
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
have you given any thought to a Salona 45? I have sailed one from to Australia, done several really tough Sydney Hobart races in one and I believe that it is one of the better mannered and strongest boats that I have sailed (My first Sydney-Hobart race in 1983)
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07-10-2018, 03:21
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#13
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 30,585
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
Have delivered an Impression 45 from Greece to Turkey to reset the clock then down to Malta for the new Aussie owner..
Comfortable, sailed well, easy to single/shorthand sail..
__________________
It was a dark and stormy night and the captain of the ship said.. "Hey Jim, spin us a yarn." and the yarn began like this.. "It was a dark and stormy night.."
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11-10-2018, 16:22
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 11
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
Thanks boatman61. Speaking of Aussie owners. It would be interesting to see the global sales data. Not many made their way to US, especially to west cost where we are. Interesting enough looking at yatchworld and other sites biggest inventory following Europe seems to be in AUS and NZ which is long ways from Slovenia and I wonder how they become so popular there but not here.
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11-10-2018, 17:23
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Annapolis MD
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
Posts: 3,194
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Re: Need advice on Elan boats
With only three years ownership. it seems ease of sale at the end would be a huge part of the equation. Will the rarity of an Elan in the US market help or hurt vs a Benny? I don't know, but I'd ask a broker in the US what they thought would sell quickest.
Matt
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