Is this Elan’s most fun yacht yet? | Elan E4 review | Yachting Monthly

Elan’s smallest boat, the Elan E4 is a huge amount of fun, but would she make a sensible cruising boat? Theo Stocker set out to find her limits.
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[@michaelsomerville2715]

Solent sailing always flatters light displacement light ballasted boats that rely on form stability. Sadly no comment on how this boat would fare in a cross channel big sea blow. Very lively. Fun for a race crew. Hopeless for a family. And the fuel tankage is inadequate for longer trips like x Biscay. The r3view was gushing. But all boats are compromises and it would help if YM added some balance. The only negative was poor finishing under the floorboards. Feels like YM are just in the sales business.

[@atakd]

Bit harsh really. Effective ballast is not just a function of mass, T keel with 2.2m draft will create a stiff boat. Fuel capacity is poor but, assuming 60hrs X Biscay @ 2l/hr, only requires 60l canned stock. How many times per season would someone buying this boat need that range? Twice? An Oyster 62 can't carry enough fuel to motor across tge Atlantic but that doesn't mean it's not up to the job. Personally, I think the accommodation is fine for four but that depends on where your thinking processes begin: HR 46 or Westerley Centaur.

[@ceirwan]

Seems like the review worked pretty well if you realised she isn't the boat for you.

[@azir9241]

The black one isn't a Spinnaker!?! Not sure if I get the language right, he keeps talking about sailing with Spinnaker?

[@GasolineNicenstein]

Imagine healing around 35 degrees and walking on a deck of a fast yacht you just got to know for hours and explaining all the details ... this is just a masterpiece of your (incl crew) work. Thank Theo for uploading and supporting us with those superb reviews.

[@Philippe275]

More cruising oriented first 36, kinda. Only missing shaft drive instead of saildrive

[@daveskye]

No word on manoeuvrability under engine with twin rudders and no bow thruster. Been there, done that, wouldn't do it again!

[@bbtodd]

I own an Elan. An Elan set of skis that is. Make great skis, boats look nice too.

[@pootsman6722]

I get that some people will like a chart table, but why is it so high! You couldn't work at it, your arms and elbows are way too high Theo for that to be comfortable.

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

As always an Excellent review and demonstration...👍👍

[@markmaugle4599]

It looks like a wet head. Is that true?

[@AmbivalentMind]

now if I could only afford it 😭

[@wysiwyg2006]

If I had the money I'd go for this. Its interesting the layout is identical to my 1988 jeanneau. Excellent review as always, your the best yacht demonstrator

[@Muratshayev]

Magnificent boat. Thanks for the great review

[@davidwarnes5158]

Tiny winches cockpit not a family boat , done many miles on Elans, not great in big seas ,

[@Sonnell]

When was a 35 foot boat a family boat?

[@GasolineNicenstein]

@@Sonnell back in the days ... (90s), but I admit u can have 35 ft and 35 ft, this one's a slim racer

[@Sonnell]

@@GasolineNicenstein Yeah, I mean, you can fit a family in to a 20 ft boat... :) And surely times are changing.

[@rabidbigdog]

The short-handed claim on a wheel-based boat never sits well with me. Is there a tiller option I wonder?