Elan Impression 43

Hull length 12.82m 42ft 0in

• Beam 4.25m 13ft 11in

• Draught 1.95m 6ft 5in

• Displacement 11,100kg 24,471lb

• Ballast 3,541kg 7,807lb

• Price €300,000 ex VAT. elan-yachts.com

Elan’s Impression 434 became a longstanding favourite among both charter fleets and private owners, including designer Rob Humphreys, who owns boat number 250 of some 600 built over an impressive 19 year period.

“A lot has moved on since we designed the 434,” says Humphreys. “The control offered by twin-rudder boats means we can put more volume aft, increasing stability, along with a massive increase in internal volumes, while still creating a boat that’s very good to sail.”

The Impression has a plumb bow, which gives a longer waterline and the feel of a larger boat in big waves. At the same time the wide deck level beam is carried well aft, while waterline beam is narrower to boost performance in light airs. The greater form stability also allows a taller rig to be specified. In turn that means the new boat can have a self-tacking jib, or efficient blade jib, instead of the old design’s unwieldy overlapping genoa.

Styling is by Pininfarina and below decks the boat still offers a three- or four-cabin layout. The latter includes a generously proportioned Pullman cabin forward to starboard. The main heads by the companionway is well appointed and a good size, though the linear galley ahead of it is relatively small for a boat this size and the worktops of the example at Düsseldorf lacked any form of raised fiddle. The same was also true for the big, solid saloon table to starboard, but we did like the different feel the knotted oak finish gives – woodwork is a trademark of this Slovenian yard.