New Elans

I wouldn't describe them as 'large superyachts', in fact they'd barely count as small superyachts.

They say that they're aiming at owner/skippers who want fast bluewater luxury. I wonder how big this market actually is.
 
Good to see J-boats backing the cruiser-racer concept. Which is what I always associate Elan with (going back to my Elan 31 days). First, J-boats launched the J/45, then the J/40 and now the J/36. The latter a delight on the helm, on a recent test sail. In winds so light that I couldn’t believe sailing was possible.

As are RM. Albeit with a completely different design philosophy (wide & powerful v’s J-boats’ slim & easily driven). Updating their range, under the wing of Grand Large. Latest offering the RM1080 (36’). Was aboard one in La Rochelle. She combined a practical (if unusual) deck layout with a most inviting (and commodious) interior. All with a clean modern aesthetic.

The cruiser-racer isn’t dead (yet). But we need more of them. (Not to race, but to enjoy cruising in a sharp handling manner) Let’s hope others step into the Elan breach. Especially in the sub 40’ sizes.
 
dunedin said:
That’s a big shame that the previous range of more modestly sized and slightly affordable Elan yachts is apparently now dead, and they will only make a handful of large luxury yachts instead.
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It is a shame. Elan have made some brilliant pocket rockets.

Fortunately there was another Slovenian company with bright ideas about fast good value cruiser-racers; Seascape (who we can thank for Beneteau’s thrilling new range of First yachts).
 
Frogmogman said:
It is a shame. Elan have made some brilliant pocket rockets.

Fortunately there was another Slovenian company with bright ideas about fast good value cruiser-racers; Seascape (who we can thank for Beneteau’s thrilling new range of First yachts).
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Yes, I was thinking that Beneteau First and Janneau 3xxx boats are one/two of the only builders still making 30 ish foot fast racer/cruisers, which is where Elan started many years back.
Elan 333 and 362 were two of my favourites.
 
dunedin said:
Yes, I was thinking that Beneteau First and Janneau 3xxx boats are one/two of the only builders still making 30 ish foot fast racer/cruisers, which is where Elan started many years back.
Elan 333 and 362 were two of my favourites.
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Elan haven't really been making C/Rs for years. Basically since they discontinued the 340, 380 and 410. The replacement 350, 400, 450 etc never really cut the mustard on the race course. Decent fast cruisers though.

Right now the only things you'd call genuine C/Rs being made in the sub 40 foot space are the Js and the First series. I definitely wouldn't call the Sunfasts C/Rs. They're specialist offshore D/H boats.

If you think back to the early 2000s, where you had C/Rs from X, Elan, Bavaria Match, Beneteau First, Arcona, Dehler, J etc etc....

I've been saying for ages that we're due a big reset... Dunno what form it might take though....
 
Groupe Beneteau are definitely onto something exciting with those Firsts. But @Bouba 's experience of "....you are dead to me...." aftersales support, as the norm from Bene, does bother me. Can't remember which thread I saw that in, but the phrase, coming from a Bene owner, has stuck with me. It was poor (I'm being kind) support from 'my' Elan dealer which caused me to move away from Elan.
 
To be honest, as soon as you're talking about "mainstream" boat brands, much like car brands, I suspect it's as easy to find a good report as a bad one.

It's the smaller yards, who really cannot afford to get a bad reputation, who go out of their way....
 
John_Silver said:
Good to see J-boats backing the cruiser-racer concept. Which is what I always associate Elan with (going back to my Elan 31 days). First, J-boats launched the J/45, then the J/40 and now the J/36. The latter a delight on the helm, on a recent test sail. In winds so light that I couldn’t believe sailing was possible.

As are RM. Albeit with a completely different design philosophy (wide & powerful v’s J-boats’ slim & easily driven). Updating their range, under the wing of Grand Large. Latest offering the RM1080 (36’). Was aboard one in La Rochelle. She combined a practical (if unusual) deck layout with a most inviting (and commodious) interior. All with a clean modern aesthetic.

The cruiser-racer isn’t dead (yet). But we need more of them. (Not to race, but to enjoy cruising in a sharp handling manner) Let’s hope others step into the Elan breach. Especially in the sub 40’ sizes.
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Apart from the twin wheels was there any insight on how it differs from the J112?
 
Lucky Duck said:
Apart from the twin wheels was there any insight on how it differs from the J112?
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….subtly….

BUT the changes do (for me) help to shift her from racer/ cruiser to cruiser / racer. The one I sailed recently was a J/112e. BUT I visited J-Composites in Les Sables, to climb around a J/36 in build, in the summer. Unfortunately I picked a week when, main man, Fred Bouvier was off scooping up silverware.

The twin wheels do significantly open up the cockpit and avoid that ‘pinned behind the wheel’ feeling. Plus (biggie for me) a tiller option is available. Engineered along the lines of the J/99 set up. Which includes provision for Jefa below decks ‘permanently engaged’ pilot.

The lazarette hatch has been neatened up. Fibreglass cowl replaced with flush hatch.

J pole is retained (v’s mini sprit of J/40 & J/45) for max off wind sail area & min berthing fees. Which I like.

Hull remains resin infused (worth a trip to Les Sables just to see the process) cored with closed cell foam and balsa. The balsa there for low resin uptake and mechanical properties. But it worries me a bit (rot risk long term?)

Below decks:

Companionway opened up. Including, I think (but I could be thinking of another boat), drop down washboards. Plus Shallower & more numerous companionway steps. Which also aids galley bracing.

Slightly larger and more sculpted lockers.

Saloon hatch moved forward of mast (used to be obstructed by kicker on J/112)

Of more importance (to me): notch at head of forward V berth removed. On the J/112e it was there as a step. To aid pushing sails up through the fore hatch. On the J/36 the notch is gone. Providing a 2m+ length (on centreline) berth.

The interior does look an upgrade on the J/112e. But somehow lacks the (to me) simple yet classy look of the J/40 & J/45. To my eye it’s acceptable, but no more. Pogo and RM (to name but two) do it better at a similar price point / LOA. In terms of aesthetics, perceived quality and stowage provision. All in the eye of the beholder, of course.

Sailing performance was never in question. Hence lack of change there. In fairness Key Yachting originally described the J/36 as a face lift, to me.
 
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John_Silver said:
Groupe Beneteau are definitely onto something exciting with those Firsts. But @Bouba 's experience of "....you are dead to me...." aftersales support, as the norm from Bene, does bother me. Can't remember which thread I saw that in, but the phrase, coming from a Bene owner, has stuck with me. It was poor (I'm being kind) support from 'my' Elan dealer which caused me to move away from Elan.
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I don’t think it’s fair to apply this criticism to all Beneteau dealers. As it happens, I bought my Sun Odyssey 349 through a Beneteau dealer, Cras Nautique, who had supplied it new. I have continued to use them for maintenance etc rather than the local Jeanneau dealer as my dealings with Cras have been, on the whole, satisfactory, so I see no reason to change.

These boat dealers are concessionaires, and much like car dealerships, can vary greatly from dealer to dealer. My experiences with our Mini at our local BMW dealer would prevent me from ever doing business with them again, but it wouldn’t necessarily stop me from buying a BMW product if I lived somewhere else.
 
flaming said:
To be honest, as soon as you're talking about "mainstream" boat brands, much like car brands, I suspect it's as easy to find a good report as a bad one.

It's the smaller yards, who really cannot afford to get a bad reputation, who go out of their way....
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Yes….you’re right. And @Frogmogman (who posted while I was typing). Maybe should drop by Fox’s… did fill out a contact form, back in the summer, but heard nothing. May have scared them off by opening with asking if the tiller steering, from the First 36SE (full carbon race version), could be had on the standard First 36.
 
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John_Silver said:
Yes….you’re right. And @Frogmogman (who posted while I was typing). Maybe should drop by Fox’s… did fill out a contact form, back in the summer, but heard nothing. May have scared them off by opening with asking if the tiller steering, from the First 36SE (full carbon race version), could be had on the standard First 36.
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I'd suggest registering on Sailing Anarchy and posting on the First 36 thread, where one of the chaps in charge of the first program posts.
 
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