History of Elan Yachts

Today’s Elan Yachts has a surprising past. It was born as an underground ski manufacturer for Yugoslavian partisans during World War II. The Slovenian skier Rudi Finžgar founded the company and legally formalized the production in 1945. However, three years later, in 1948, the government nationalized the company. For instance, it was partially state-owned until very recently.

By the late 1940s, they started the production of boats, kayaks and canoes. Later, wooden and plastic boats. 

In the 1950s and 70s, Elan already succeeded in mass production of small boats and exported them. For example, the Tourist series had over 10,000 hulls.

In the 1980s the company began building sailing yachts that are good not only for cruising but also for racing. As a result, Elan 31 won the world championship in the quarter-ton class.

After that, in 1995, Elan started working with the British design bureau of Rob Humphreys. Moreover, this collaboration keeps being fruitful nowadays. In the 2000s, the new Impression range of cruising yachts – 344 and 340 – became the European Yachts of the Year. The Elan 350 racing and cruising yacht was named Yacht of the Year in 2011.

Apart from that, since 2003, Elan has been producing hardtop motor yachts designed by Tony Castro. Despite the success of models such as Elan Power 42, in 2018, this division was taken over by the Dutch company Focus Motor Yachts.

In 2012, Elan received the prestigious Plus X Award as the Most Innovative Company. However, this has not helped the Slovenians to cope with corporate turmoils. In 2015, Elan Group completely withdrew from state ownership and is now owned by Merrill Lynch Bank and Wiltan Enterprises Cyprus.

Current Status

Elan sales and service networks constantly grow. While the production team consistently explores new developments and actively responds to feedback from owners.

Production

As in the 1940s, Elan Marine Shipyard is located in Begunje na Gorenjskem. On a production area of 40 hectares, the shipyard builds about 100 hulls per year. Apart from this, they still produce decent skis. And elements for wind generators as well. The team counts 125 employees.

Model range

Elan Yachts sought a new formula for success after changing ownership. The shipyard’s extensive experience, outstanding design and extensive production facilities allow it to act firmly. The company now offers three ranges of yachts from 9 to 15 meters in length. Successful racing and cruising models such as the Elan 400 have formed the model range under the E-liter.

The popular range of family cruisers Impression stayed untouched.

In 2016 Paris debuted a new development of Rob Humphreys, Elan GT5 – a luxury racing cruiser of medium size, the first one in the new GT-Line model range. 

Features of Elan Yachts

While remaining a typical manufacturer in terms of vacuum resin lamination technology, Elan Yachts is distinguished by its approach to the design. This includes a non-standard solution for the interior, a branded deck salon on Impression and Elan GT5 yachts, and racing chips in the performance line.