Élan impression 344

mrplastic

mrplastic

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I am seriously considering selling my Jeanneau 29.2 lift keel and buying a élan 344 with a fin keel. Has anyone any experience of the élan, I sail in the harwich/ Walton area and have only ever had lift keel boats as lots of shallows. I am not to fussed about drying out but having a fraught of 1.6 m is something I'd have to get used to. I am also considering the new legend e33 with bilge keels, I would appreciate any advice.
 
Hi I can't comment on its suitability for your sailing area as I am based in the South West but I have recently purchased and Elan 344 and have been very pleased with her. They are Rob Humphreys designed and are incredibly beamy and sail well.
 
Seriously looked at one of these when they were new. Lots of good things about them, particuarly the cockpit and deck layouts. Well finished down below but really odd use of space. No proper chart table and the loo compartment was out of proportion to the rest of the accommodation which was very cramped compared with equivalent Bennys, Bavarias etc. Odd looks with top heavy superstructure did not endear. Did not get round to sailing, but would not have any doubts about it given the designer - although the shallow draft would mean it is not as sharp as the more racy 33 footer. Don't think it was a sales success - but that maybe as much to do with price and the intense competition in that sector.
 
The Elan 344 is an ok boat but far from the latest designs from Beneteau and Jeanneau, who in my personal experience are leading the field. I cant help but feel that the Elan build quality is not as good, hense the numbers of other leading brands available in the UK are substancially larger.
It's all horses for courses, but I would look hard as there are some amazing deals out there for new.
 
Mrs Doubtfire said:
The Elan 344 is an ok boat but far from the latest designs from Beneteau and Jeanneau, who in my personal experience are leading the field. I cant help but feel that the Elan build quality is not as good, hense the numbers of other leading brands available in the UK are substancially larger.
It's all horses for courses, but I would look hard as there are some amazing deals out there for new.
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Seriously considered the Elan 434, Dufour44 & Jeaneau43DS. Disregarded the Elan after hearing comments from people that maintain charter fleets where weaknesses are discovered quicker than privately owned. I know owners of the 33 & 40's cruiser racing range that have no complaints but these are narrower faster boats.
 
Thanks for the info, it gives me an alternate view which is exactly what I wanted.
Probably still going to buy one though, I respect the designer having owned a southerly 110 which he also designed. Interestingly He owns a Elan himself!
 
Mrs Doubtfire said:
At least this way you have someone to blame. Southerly may have had the same designer but certainly not the same pedigree.
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Have you ever owned a southerly? I have, I bought a 110 brand new in 07' So know a bit about Southerly pedigree. How would you define their pedigree and why?
 
Never owned one personally but have sailed on a friend of mine, he has a Southerly 42 beautiful boat, probably a little over engineered but all the same a very gracious sail with a top builder to boot. I hope the standards won't slip now Hanse are making them?!
 
My experience is very different, boats are OK but Northshore service was the worst I have ever come across. Long story and I was not alone, many southerly owners have stories to tell about brand new southerlies, and its not all good! The brand has never been stronger but boats are about more than brands. An Elan may not be a brand considered to have a pedigree but all of their boats are built under lloyds supervision and they employ top designers at least one of which chose to own their boat. That may not shout pedigree but to me it does shout confidence in design and build.
 
Very surprised at the Southerly issue's! At that sort of money I thought they would walk on hot coals for you.?
I hear what you are saying about the designer of the Élan, but if I designed a boat and then bought something else, I think that would be a bit of an elephant in the room!
I'm not knocking the Élan brand as obviously there is a demand for them, my personal experience is that they design fantastic cruiser racers, but the impression range looks, well , bath tub like in comparison to the other leading brands, of course that's just my opinion, Each to there own!
 
Mrs Doubtfire said:
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I hear what you are saying about the designer of the Élan, but if I designed a boat and then bought something else, I think that would be a bit of an elephant in the room!
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Exactly my point, Rob Humprey's designs for Northshore, Oyster and Elan and although I am sure he could probably afford any of those he chose an Elan for himself. That says a massive amount about branding, build quality and inside knowledge.
 
mrplastic said:
Exactly my point, Rob Humprey's designs for Northshore, Oyster and Elan and although I am sure he could probably afford any of those he chose an Elan for himself. That says a massive amount about branding, build quality and inside knowledge.
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Or does it simply reflect the type of sailing he wants to do... If you want a fast cruiser, like one of the Elan performance range, you wouldn't buy either an Oyster or a Southerly.
 
flaming said:
Or does it simply reflect the type of sailing he wants to do... If you want a fast cruiser, like one of the Elan performance range, you wouldn't buy either an Oyster or a Southerly.
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I believe he has a 434 but I have emailed him to ask for his thoughts!
 
mrplastic said:
I am seriously considering selling my Jeanneau 29.2 lift keel and buying a élan 344 with a fin keel.
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I dont sail an Elan and I dont sail the east coast - I sail the Bristol channel which also dries.

I changed from a bilge keel Moody to a fin keel Starlight a couple of years ago because I race a bit and II got fed up of not being able to point like much of the rest of the fleet, even though the Moody 336 is an excellent boat of its type. Now I have mixed feelings about the change. The deep fin is a PITA for general cruising round here and would also be on the east coast

If you dont race I would say dont change. Or get another boat that will happily sit in the shallow mud you have. If you do get a fin you will largely be condemned to using marinas or anchoring well out and more exposed.
 
I like the Elan range. Go ahead and buy one. Must say I would go for the 35' and live with the deeper draught and the enhanced performance. We sail the East Coast too and draw 1.9 metres without finding it a hardship, ( sail out of Brightlingsea) but if you fancy creek crawling the swing/lift keel is for you. Good luck in your quest. GOG
 
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