Elan GT5

cmedsailor

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I was surfing in the internet looking at boats and came across the Elan GT5. Although it is not a brand new model I had never seen it before. Has anyone seen it in real (I mean not just on the internet) or even sailed it? What do you think about it?
I cannot comment about how it sails as I only saw it on the internet but my observations:
- It is long and narrow (3.91m), very different from the competition. Whether this is good or not, I don't know.
- The hull looks very white (!) and boring to the eye. I believe an additional stripe, besides the one near the water line, could make it (her) look nicer.
- These two cockpit tables idea is, for me, the worst part of that boat. I would never like to have such thing on my boat.
- Built quality looks good and really solid
 
Meandered round the one competing (and winning prize for best overall performance) at WHYW in August. Wine selection was superb, disappearing microwave gimmicky, ability to destroy jibsheets alarming, looks comfy, handholds for rough weather not obvious, very shiny white, from some angles it looks good with its black sails, from others it is fugly.
 
My marina has an Elan brokerage and there’s a new GT5 on one of the pontoons. It’s been a grey and overcast day in Glasgow but I needed to wear my sunglasses due to the glare from the mass of white. I haven’t looked below deck but first impression is that it’s an ugly beast. Only its mother could love it!
 
We have delivered a few of them now... They sail extremely well and are great fun. They are not set up that well for offshore sailing so not my first choice for a transatlantic yacht delivery, but for coastal passages or cross channel sailing they are perfect.

Looks wise, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think its a good thing that they stand out a bit with the design. Not for everyone, I see that.

Pete
 
They are built for a job. You get a lot of boat for your money but the finishes leave a lot to be desired with a number of sharp edges inside. However they hull shape is very modern and they will be a blast to sail but they will look shagged out over time simply because of the materials used.
 
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