Dream team
A collaboration between Elan Yachts, Pininfarina, Humphreys Yacht Design and Gurit is driven to finding sport cruising's next chapter.
14 July 2021
Advertisement
A four-way collaboration between Elan Yachts, Italian design house Pininfarina, Humphreys Yacht Design and composite supplier Gurit, announced earlier this month, is determined to produce the ‘ultimate performance cruiser’.
“We cannot reveal the name of the yacht yet,” says Marko Škrbin, the Director of Elan Yachts’ Marine Division.
“But we can say that it will be among the largest Elan yachts. It will focus on the performance side of our range, and it will challenge our capabilities and push the boundaries in terms of technology and design.
“However, in concept and spirit, this yacht will represent more of a return to our roots; it will be a yacht for true and demanding sailors that also provides comfortable living aboard.”
Pininfarina, who was responsible for the exterior and interior aesthetics of the unnamed model, have stated they approached the model with the vision of a strong sports connotation”, using few fluid lines to provide a unique character.
Advertisement
“The result,” Daniele Mazzon, Chief Transportation Designer of Pininfarina, explains, “is a sailboat with pure shapes and a modern style projected towards the future, which is the direction performance lovers must always look at.”
The new model will also see Elan, once again, collaborate with the award-winning naval architecture studio Humphreys Yacht Design. The same studio behind the architecture of the Elan Impression 344, Elan 340 and Elan 350.
“Building on the core philosophy of Elan, this will be a really accomplished fast cruising yacht that we expect to deliver the 60/60 formula that has been our aspiration and ethos for this type of yacht,” says Tom Humphreys, the Director and Co-owner of Humphreys Yacht Design.
“For those not familiar with the sentiment, we mean that both the performance-minded sailor and the cruising sailor will perceive the balance of the boat as 60/40 in their favour.”
Humphreys Yacht Design has approached this vision via a lower displacement-to-length ratio. The hull-form will also feature a slightly flatter rocker, straighter back and run aft, making it more suitable to face higher speeds. The rig height will also be taller, and the sail area has been increased.
“All of this will result in a design that will power up a little earlier in slightly less breeze and with a higher speed potential, but will still provide effortless sailing and finger-tip control,” Humphrey adds.
Also on board is Gurit, who will be providing analysis and optimisation for the new yacht’s laminate plan and producing composites with the “best possible mechanical properties”.
“Gurit are pleased to collaborate with Elan’s engineering and production teams on the composite structure of the new Elan yacht,” said Gurit Senior Engineer Steve Shaw.
“Bringing together our performance sailing knowledge, we are able to design laminates that are stiff, strong and lightweight, whilst considering the practicalities of construction and maintenance throughout the life of the vessel.”
Elan Yachts has stated the model will be revealed during the Cannes Yacht Festival in September while making its debut at the 2022 Boot Dusseldorf.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
