Elan E6, le 47' le plus raide et rapide du marché ?
OCTOBER 19, 2021
Written by François Meyer Actunautique.com
The "E" range is the name of the Slovenian shipyard Elan's cruising sailboats. The new Elan E6, a 47' yacht, crowns this range.
According to the shipyard, it is simply the lightest, stiffest and fastest 47' on the market... Quite a program.
15 meters, the bigger it gets the better
The choice of a cruiser depends on the program, the crew and of course the available budget. The ingenuity of the shipyards has made it possible to develop small cruisers from 24' to 32' that offer surprising habitability, and the 34' to 38' offer interior volumes that would generate a riot if they were presented to the public in the 1980s...
On the other side of the length spectrum, the large sailboats (60' and more), designed for smaller crews, are becoming more and more numerous. Electric winches and furlers, hydraulic backstays, forward and aft thrusters, nothing is missing to make them easier to handle.
The new Elan E6 is somewhere between the two worlds and its length of 15 meters guarantees a real all-weather character while its canvas surface of a little more than 120 m2, remains maneuverable without resorting to electric and hydraulic assistance. An advantage that guarantees safety and versatility.
The new Elan E6 was designed by Humphreys Yacht Design's partner architect and is recognizable by its sharp chines and, above all, its very slender hull and roof windows and its full carbon bowsprit.
But beyond the look, the boat is built like a steed. With a long T-shaped keel (2.80 m draft, PTE version at 2.40 m) and nearly 3200 kg of bulbous ballast, we let you imagine the righting torque!
Its bulkheads are made of composite and laminated to the hull. The hull and deck are vacuum infused with vinylester resin simultaneously with the stiffeners and bulkheads.
The chainplates and their counterplates are mounted on reinforcements which are themselves joined to the hull stiffeners to ensure maximum stiffness and transmission of forces.
Add to this picture a full carbon rig (optional), a set of performance sails and a light displacement of 11 tons (1 less than a comparable mass-produced sailboat) and you will get an idea of the machine.
A comfortable and pleasant courier SAILING
But stiff to the canvas does not mean uncomfortable with the E6.
The interior design, entrusted to Pininfarina, based on light oak laminates and solid wood inserts, is particularly appreciated in the 3-cabin version, where the front master has an island bed. A 4-cabin version also includes a bunk bed cabin. An outdoor kitchen can be installed in the rear lockers.
