Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Hanse, what about Elan? In depth mid size production cruiser comparison 

Glad it was helpful! Hope to see you on the water soon.

Glad you enjoyed it

Glad you enjoyed it

You are most welcome.

Thanks for watching!

Glad it helped with your decision

You got it

@@SeaBeeSailing If you looking for a blue water cruiser with plenty room for living and a huge cockpit area I can tell you: We really like our Impression 45. Crossed the Atlantik and living on it since 2021.

Thank you for the insight. There was another comment relative to grid being part of the vacuum infusion vs being glued to the hull.

Yes, that is another big advantage. Grids/liners glued to the hull--basically with a paste like Bondo--is not very strong. That's what Beneteau, Jeanneau, Dufour, Hanse, and Bavaria all do. Over time after exposure to rough weather/grounding, the grid can break free and the hull becomes flexible. Costs a fortune to fix--many times the boat is a Total write off. Elan has some stringers vacuum infused with the hull, plus the grid appears to be a combination of bonding + glassed in. Elan also has a wider hull to deck joint that is bolted and bonded together, where some of the mass produced boats only bond the hull to deck joint. This all means a stronger, stiffer hull--i.e. a better boat.@@SeaBeeSailing Now I want to buy an Elan!

Glad it was helpful! Hats off to you for crossing the pond. We hope to do it one day on our elan.

Thanks for reaching out. We are a big fan of Amels. One of our sailing instructors has been sailing one extensively (most likely the same era as yours). We had the privilege to sail with him and fell in love.

Good to be back

Right back at you! Say hi to your lovely family

My pleasure!

I did consider adding stix and avs comparisons however could not find a reliable source as most manufacturers do not officially advertise these ratios. My findings were inconsistent- not just elan but all other contenders- so, in light of not giving false information, I intentionally left them out. Glad to meet other satisfied elan owners

That puts a smile on my face. Glad to hear we can be help for those on a similar journey. Congrats with your purchase! Hope our paths cross.

Thank you for your input. I did not know that.

Do you know when they started with the cheaper technique? Because as far as I know early 2000s Jeanneau's still had proper laminated bulkheads.

I'm not talking about the bulkheads, but the floor-unit or the so-called "matrix". The matrix can be glued or laminated to the hull. This is the group which is giving strength to the hull in order to prevent torsion and delaminating in case of a grounding. If it is glued, it will break out easily giving great damages, if it is laminated, it will stand great forces. There are massive differences in quality. Standard mass-produced yachts like Bavaria, Beneteau, Hanse or Jeanneau are nowhere near as strong as a Sirius boat e.g. The problem: on a boat show you will not see this and a dealer is not going to tell you. @@BilldalSWE

@@andreleers9457 I was refering to the matrix as well. Only "modern" production boats have glued in floor beams/matrix. My 2001 Sun Odyssey 37 and I assume other boats of the same time has a laminated / glassed matrix which is why I asked if you knew when they changed it...

I cannot answer this question since I had the dealership after 2001. The only yard from which I know that they laminate the matrix fix with the outer hull from the very beginning is Elan, because they used to build performance boats until they implemented the Impression series, and even their matrixes are laminated with the hull. Sirius goes even further, but that's another story. @@BilldalSWE

Thanks for watching!

I believe early 434 (2006-2007) came with a shaft and stuffing box.

Best of luck to you. Let me know if we can be more help in your search.

@@SeaBeeSailing thanks! I think we’ll do one more season in the Caribbean on our current boat and then begin searching in earnest. Let me know if you happen to come across any Elans with the large aft owner’s cabin. We’re totally open to buying in Europe. Hope you’re enjoying the Med 🤙!

Nothing would make me happier to be able to sail all the sailboats mentioned in this episode and do a side-by-side comp.

Love the older design of Beneteau. First gen Oceanis and even older 423, 473 are great boats

You are correct about, I neglected to mention the naval architect behind it. I drool every time I see an oyster. I do believe elan used better hardware in doors, latches etc but there are areas like stanchion bases they cut corners. I forgot to point those out in the video

@@SeaBeeSailing Elan has changed the sanction bases from the 2019 model Impression 45 onwards.

Rob Humphrey is Elan designer since 1990s : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q5p_d8O21os.html

@@philipposchr4049 I did not know that

They are good at making boats but not at marketing.

The only issue we had with our Volvo Penta so far is the MDI box failure, which was replaced by Volvo at no cost under a company recall. I understand Elan moved from Volvo to Yanmar power plant on their recent models.

Looking at the manufacturing process the ribs and hull are sole piece during vacuum infusion. Which leads me to the conclusion of the grid being structurally part of the solid glass hull during production and not something attached later on.

I was on a 470 couple weeks ago at a boat show in Istanbul. I believe the production quality of your boat is much better than brand new boats from big 4 which were also present at the show.

@@SeaBeeSailing the compromises in the name of volume below are pretty apparent in all the current offerings (including Dufour); Elan, Dehler and Swan (and the traditional BW boats) are trying to find a better balance I think. I was surprised that the cost of the Elan was not more competitive as a production boat as we were seriously looking at the GT-5 in 2019.

Thank you for your input

I could not agree more. Actually, launching the dinghy is part of the problem. Installing the outboard proves to be more of a difficult task.

Thanks for reaching out Bob. Given your situation, you may want to look into a model called Sense by Beneteau. It was not a successful model as Beneteau ceased the production after only a few years of production but managed to create a cult following. The companionway is almost flat with only 3-4 steps and the interior and exterior offer ample amount of room. They offered a larger 50" model and a smaller 40-45 (I cannot remember).

@@SeaBeeSailing Thanks so much for the recommendation, .I'll go and check it out now. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob. 👍🙂

It depends on many factors... condition, age, location, options

I would. I believe most mainstream production boats are capable of crossing oceans. Compared to its peers, Impression 45 offers a more suitable package (hull design, keel etc) for long passages and living aboard.

If the companion way steps is a concern, look into Beneteau sense. I believe there is a 50 and a smaller one- perhaps a 44. Beneteau ceased production in 2018 (rather short lived model) but the boat has a cult following. Best of luck!

Thank you. We are actually considering getting a 90% jib instead of the 110 we have. That should eliminate the chafing.

Pls refer to the intro.

There is one. It attaches to the swimming platform when open

I believe you are referring to Slano, Croatia

I have seen few but not familiar with them. Will check it out

And Pegasus... @@SeaBeeSailing

Sailors tend to have different opinions - otherwise it would be boring

I still don't understand these stupid discussions going around the Web, who decides if a boat can be considered bluewater or not? Expensive or cheaper? Good or Bad? Typology and specifications? Why doesn't a specific body establish it according to strict criteria to which all manufacturers must adhere? Who controls who and how? According to what regulation? And recognised by whom? Do we still want to believe in the fairytale of the CE mark? Which, by the way, I see it written everywhere even on my underpants! So I don't think we need to be a naval architect to understand a very simple, if not obvious, concept that regardless of the builder, whether it is Beneteau or any other, there is a legislative and regulatory VOID in this sector that concerns not only the construction and design, choice of the materials and their origin, the absolute lack of supervision by any recognised third independent body from the design, the construction, up to the delivery of this type of boats, the lack of training and professional courses for the staff employed by these yards, which would make the most stubborn navigator pale. The truth is that these shipyards do what they want and their constructions have one and only one denominator the profit!

@@KoDeMondo It's not the aviation industry. Regulations like you suggest, ad layers or bureaucratic tape and stifle innovation. If you don't like the way a company operates/constructs, don't buy their products.

This is how you say you have never been on an Elan yacht, without saying you've never been on an Elan yacht. Dude - ask any owner, or just go aboard an Elan and compare to any serial producer, french or german, or any. You will see Elans are MILES ahead of them.

Thank you for your input