Opinions on Elan sailboats?
Posted by crosaby77@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 10 comments
Hey everyone! We have an opportunity to survey and sea trial an impression 394. Upon viewing we were greatly impressed. It seemed like a beneteau but way better designed and roomy. Even topside I was impressed as there were no vertical opening storage hatches so nowhere for water to collect. The only thing that makes me nervous is the name recognition in the US and a sail drive. We just had to move on from a beneteau 393 since it had grid separation and this boat is ten years newer and close to the same price. Any qualms or things specific to these vessels? Really liked the high headroom and dual helm was actually awesome for opening the cockpit area.
Whole-Quick@reddit
Is there something specific about that saildrive you didn't like, or are you just against them in general?
crosaby77@reddit (OP)
Just the hole in boat thing but seems convenient
diekthx-@reddit
Yeah that’s not a real reason to dislike them.
crosaby77@reddit (OP)
well gimme a reason to like them lol
yoyo_climber@reddit
I think most people are adverse to them because it's a huge fricken hole in your boat, as compared to a shaft.
bagnap@reddit
Funny. I looked at a 393 and a similar Elan. I hated the in mast furling in the Elan - it jammed when the broker was doing his sales pitch - and while it was a bit more ‘nice apartmenty’ the 393 sold me on its cockpit space. I also hated the sail drive on the Elan. Harder to fix yourself if you need to
Busy-Spot6574@reddit
I cannot think of a single thing with in mast furling that I like. The thing that really gets me is what do you do if you can't furl? Really the only choice is to climb the mast and cut from the top down.
bagnap@reddit
Yeah me too
theplanetpotter@reddit
Had a 384 for over ten years, thousands of miles, it’s been a good tub. Happy customer. I’d have another one for certain.
GulfofMaineLobsters@reddit
I don't know much about them but that thin root section on the keel, and it being a bulb keel doesn't give me warm fuzzies and the styling isn't for me, but I'm sure others here will know more, interior layout seems decent though.