Elan Impression 45
PRICE £150,000-£250,000 YEAR 2014-present
Designed by the renowned Rob Humphreys team, the Elan Impression 45 is a comfortable offshore cruising yacht with modern styling yet thoroughly practical layout – both above and below decks.
Impression hulls are relatively lightweight, being vacuum-infusion moulded with solid GRP below the waterline and a foam core above. Decks are hand-laid and balsa-cored.
Below, options included 2/3/4-cabin layouts, all with two heads and showers.
The Impression 45’s comparatively tall coachroof provides larger windows that allow more light into the cabins. There are also numerous opening portlights and hatches which result in good airflow throughout the boat.
Her saloon features a large U-shaped dinette to port with a settee opposite. It’s big enough to comfortably allow from six to eight people to dine together.
The L-shaped galley is spacious and wellthe appointed with adequate stowage. She also has a decent chart table with seat and ample room for instruments and switches. Handholds are extremely well-placed and numerous, ensuring going forward feels both safe and easy.
On deck there’s a roomy cockpit with twin helms, a choice of low or high transom platforms, stout handrails around the dropleaf table and cup holders beside the seats.
Stowage is adequate for regular cruising requirements. There’s also a large lounging area just forward of the mast. The foredeck is uncluttered and her rugged ground tackle arrangements are well up to handling the usual cruising abuse.
Her sail plan is fractional with Selden spars, a full-battened mainsail and furling genoa. Sail area is generous and being quite light too means she’s pretty quick off the mark. She tacks swiftly, her deep fin keel and single spade rudder allowing her to point close to the wind making minimal leeway.
Her standard 55hp Volvo diesel has more than enough power for manoeuvring, but there was an option to uprate this to a 75hp model. Though easy to berth many were also fitted with bow thrusters.