News

It’s no secret that we’re approaching, or have maybe even passed the moment in history where most buyers are at least considering buying an electric vehicle. The awkward early adopter phase is long gone, doubters few and far between, and every car manufacturer has at least some EV options, while others focus exclusively on electric and are experiencing massive growth. Mass adoption is here, the prices are falling, and infrastructure and legislature are hurrying to catch up.

All of this has left many people wondering – if it works for cars, why not bring sailing boats into the fold? Sailing was never about motoring, never about engine speed – it is about that connection to nature, the serenity of the sea and the challenge. So why not get rid of the “dirty and loud” diesel engine, and simply exchange it for “clean and quiet” electric propulsion? Motor out of the marina or bay in silence, and then use the sun, wind and waves to continue your journey. That is why Elan Yachts and Oceanvolt, both in Finnish ownership, decided to partner up and create a full range of electric-powered yachts – from the luxurious GT6 to the practical Impression yachts and the sporty E-Line of performance cruisers. Oceanvolt became Elan Yachts’ exclusive electric power provider, after several highly successful pioneering projects.

Why is this so different from a car? A yacht is an independent element on the sea and, unlike a car, it will need to provide its owner with much more than just propulsion. It is imperative therefore to consider everything, from the way the yacht is built, to the equipment on board. Since you will spend most of your time sailing, you need a yacht that performs well and is easy to sail. A good, reliable sail plan and rig, like the one on Elan yachts, will give you enough options to substitute the practicality of a diesel engine. Elan’s VAIL technology keeps the weight down, its short-handed sailing approach and comfort-centric design will keep you comfortable even when sailing for longer periods, and the high-end electronics are designed to keep consumption low. That is crucial, because you will need to bear in mind cooking, refrigeration, water and cabin heating and entertainment, as well as the availability of ports/marinas with good electrical infrastructure. Of course, there are fossil fuel solutions for all these challenges, and Elan and Oceanvolt partnership also offers a hybrid option with a 48V DC generator, which is very practical for emergency situations.

Full electric yacht propulsion means a zero-operating-emissions yacht – no noise, no exhaust, no smell and no environmental restrictions. It enables sailing without the use of fossil fuels. It’s meant for people who want to utilise the instant power output benefits of electricity in emergency situations, no engine rev settling, no pre-start waiting and low maintenance costs. To use the wind and the sun to re-charge. All of these are actual benefits of electric propulsion, but what are the downsides? For committed sailors, there are not many. The operating range of high-end electric propulsion systems like the one from Oceanvolt is from 25 to 70 miles at 5 knots (and more, depending on the battery pack options and power generation), which is more than enough to get you in and out of marinas and bays and still have plenty left over to get you out of a bind. The rest, you sail. And if the yacht is fast, the winds are fair and you achieve 5 knots or more, Oceanvolt’s hydrogeneration kicks in and generates power for recharging the battery bank. The cost of that is a speed reduction of less than 0.5 knots. If you can go even faster, the power generation increases exponentially.

But by being an early adopter, you are supporting an industry in the development of more accessible and efficient solutions for a better tomorrow. This is why Elan decided to partner with Oceanvolt and to offer a full range of yachts for all types of sailing, be it enthusiast racer, gentleman sailor or cruiser circumnavigating the globe. There is a dedicated design for every style.

Elan Yachts

Elan embodies a true passion for sailing, technological innovations and distinctive design. Every yacht coming from Elan's 16.000 sq meter boatyard in Slovenia is the result of our 70-year long passion for innovation-oriented quality boatbuilding.

One of the oldest leisure shipyards, Elan offers new generation of sailing yachts with a perfect balance between performance, comfort, easy handling and safety without compromise.

www.elan-yachts.com

Oceanvolt

Founded in 2004, Oceanvolt is a leading manufacturer of electric and hybrid propulsion systems for boats. Oceanvolt offers state-of-the-art electric motors that combine sustainability, safety and reliability.

Oceanvolt was founded by serial entrepreneur and sailor Janne Kjellman, who understood the necessity of the engine in modern sailing but wanted to create a quiet and environmentally friendly alternative to the diesel engine.

Oceanvolt’s electric propulsion systems are suitable for use in sailboats, motorboats, harbour ferries and other small and medium-sized commercial boats. With built-in software, Oceanvolt systems can be monitored and serviced in real-time via the Internet. Oceanvolt's SD saildrive system has been awarded the Pittman Innovation Award by SAIL magazine, among other things. In 2017, the patented ServoProp saildrive motor with a variable pitch propeller won the industry's most prestigious DAME award in the engine and propulsion category.

Along the way, Oceanvolt has built up a global network of boat designers, boat builders, shipbuilding engineers, boaters and other partners.

www.oceanvolt.com

For more information:

David Anand Rajapakse, Head of Marketing, Elan d.o.o. - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tommi Lassila, CEO, Oceanvolt Oy - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The skipper of Bureau Vallée 2 has made the big arc round the anticyclone and remains a strong contender for the final victory. Even if Louis Burton indicated that the front was beginning to show signs of air instability. The solo sailor seemed in great shape for the final sprint after 75 days at sea!

"It's windy, but it's quite unstable. I'm beginning to feel the front coming over us as it fills in. There are around fifteen knots with squalls and soft, gusty, rotating winds since the beginning of the night. As I am the furthest north, I see the effects (of the front) first. On this last section, it went better for Apivia because he is not yet feeling the influence of the front. It should become more and more unstable, coming in until Sunday morning.

Reaching the Azores will depend on how fast the front will move, on our speed and our ability to stay ahead. Ideally, we gybe behind the front, after the islands. But if we're a little slower, we risk crossing the islands in the middle... Theoretically, the first solution should take place.

It is rare to have so many boats so close together with four days to go. It's pretty crazy because a lot can still happen! Everybody has the pressure of the finish... But I try to stay away from all that and concentrate on the end of the race. So much the better if people are betting on me now: it didn't go too badly but it's not easy at the moment! I've racked up some miles, but I'm have also hit the front first, so... It's obviously harder for me than for the other boats further south. And nothing is decided until the finish! It's very difficult to make a guess. You have to be on top of it and it's not the time to have any lie-ins...

The pace has quickened a bit and it's true that I took advantage of the trade winds and the rounding of the high to recharge, to rest, to be in shape for this finish, but I am sure I am not the only one! I have a bit in the bank, but it will be tougher to remain calm as we face the quickening tempo with manoeuvres and handling, we have not had since the Pacific.

It's going to go very fast: in 24 hours, we'll pass a front. 20 hours later, we'll gybe towards Les Sables d'Olonne... And then we're going to knit out way up as we approach Cape Finisterre on the south of the Bay of Biscay! It's not going to be a very "comfortable"... But hey, for now, it's nice here. I was expecting to get cold soon. During the day, I am still in shorts and only put my boots back on last night. If it goes on like this all the way to the end it will be good.”

The winner for the best interior design

We’re proud to announce that the new Elan GT6 won the prestigious Oceanway China Yachts Award for Best Interior Design Monohull Sailboat over 40‘. It is the first Oceanway Magazine award received by an Elan Yacht, and a true testament to the design consciousness of both Elan R&D and Studio F. A. Porsche. Oceanway China Yachts Award is the most prestigious award in China for the Yachting Industry.

Our representatives in China, Sunwave Yachting, were at the ceremony on December 11th to receive the award.

Our flagship GT6 is a next-generation Grand Tourer that delivers the perfect balance of speed and power, comfort and luxury, good handling, and precise control.

Elan GT6 Walkthrough

Welcome to the video tour of the new sailing yacht Elan GT6!

Step aboard on the brand new Elan GT6 with Theo from Great Harbour Yachts Scotland

Theo will show you all the amazing features of this 49 ft long sailing yacht Elan GT6. Our flagship has also been nominated for the European Yacht of the Year as well for the Cruising Yacht of the Year at the British Yachting Awards. This super stylish yacht is a result of a great collaboration between us, Studio F. A. Porsche and Humphreys Yacht Design.  Strong, seaworthy, and built to last sailing yacht. The high-performance hull of the GT6 has been carefully optimised with extensive CFD modelling to be fast, stable and easily driven in a wide range of sea states. Combined with a powerful and perfectly balanced sail plan, it delivers a huge amount of fun for the helmsman and crew on all points of sail. 

This amazing sailing yacht is one of the first ones we have built and delivered to the United Kingdom. It's a 3 cabin yacht with 2 heads and has plenty of additional equipment. Enjoy the video, and don't forget to leave a big thumbs up.

Are you searching for the best beaches for your holiday. Is your chosen destination Croatia? Do you want to know which are "MUST SEE". We visited islands in Kvarner region and took drone shots of best beaches in the region. We searched islands Krk, Lošin, Rab, Ilovik, Susak, Unije, Grgur, Goli, Prvič, Plavnik, Cres and Trsteniuk and took drone shots to shov you the most amazing beaches in the region of Kvarner.

Some beaches are reachable with car or bike, but form some of them you must have a boat. But don't worry. There is always some water taxi to take you to the beach.  And even more. Some are not so famous and you will be able to enjoy your summer vacation alone on your private beach.

15 Top Beaches In Croatia

Micro locations of the beaches:

• 15. San Marino - island Rab (accessible by: car, bike, bus, boat)
• 14. Bok - island Susak (accessible by: ferry + by foot, boat)
• 13. Surbova - island Krk  (accessible by: car, bike, boat)
• 12. Golden Bay - Zlata - island Krk (accessible by: boat)
• 11. Vela Luka - island Krk (accessible by: boat)
• 10. Maman - island Rab (accessible by: boat)
• 09. Meli - island Cres  (accessible by: car, bike, boat)
• 08. Fox Bay - island Krk (accessible by: boat)
• 07. Portijel - island Cres (accessible by: boat)
• 06. Trstenik - island Trstenik (accessible by: boat)
• 05. Planka - Rab (accessible by: boat)
• 04. Jamna - island Lošinj (accessible by: boat)
• 03. Zala Draga - island Krk  (accessible by: car, bike, boat)
• 02. Kruščica - island Cres (accessible by: boat)
• 01 .Paržine - island Ilovik (accessible by: boat)

This is the good news this morning! At around 3:10 am (French time), 360 miles in the north of the Crozet archipelago, Kevin Escoffier (PRB) was disembarked from Jean Le Cam's boat and was picked up by the Nivôse, a French Navy frigate. The transhipment - via a semi-rigid - went well, despite a swell formed in the area.

Jean Le Cam resumed his race. In a message to the Vendée Globe Race Direction, Frédéric Barbe, captain of the Nivôse, wrote: “Kevin is in great shape, he is going to enjoy a hot shower. We are heading for Reunion. It's a beautiful day that begin."

Work Station Indian Ocean

Over 24 hours of intense work has left the inside of Louis Burton’s IMOCA Bureau Vallée in a mess but the third placed skipper confirmed this morning that his efforts, in collaboration with his shore team, have kept him in the race. Speaking on the 0400hrs TU call this morning, after he had just gybed at the Antarctic Exclusion Zone he said, “"I'm pretty burnt out and I admit that I came close to having to abandon". True to the philosophy of many competitors Burton was not giving everything away about his problems, other than having said earlier that he had automatic pilot troubles.

After a quieter period close to the ice exclusion zone, the main 11 strong peloton in the Indian Ocean see Charlie Dalin extending his lead slightly overnight to 233 miles over Thomas Ruyant. Burton confirmed he had 30-35kts of wind and a swell 4.5 metres. Most have gybed as the new front arrived bringing north westerly winds, now on a long port gybe across the Indian Ocean passing the Kerguelen Island some time tomorrow Monday.

Some 1800 miles behind Apivia the contrast in the wind and weather is stark from the group Alan Roura, Stephane Le Diraison, Armel Tripon, Arnaud Boissières have had a very frustrating period in light winds some 120 miles from the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, these four have made only one or two knots at times and some went full 360 degree circles.

Overnight only race leader Charlie Dalin (Apivia) is the only skipper among the top 10 to have  managed to hold speeds in double figures as the leaders of the Vendée Globe continue their slow but steady progress south, trying to wriggle their way across a band of light winds to get to the Southern Ocean.

Dalin and second placed Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) are desperately trying to track and stay with the breezes they have, a narrow, isolated band of wind which they are working to get the most, Successfully staying under this wind flow could reward them with a perfectly timed arrival on the top of an eastwards moving low pressure system which in weather modelling would slingshot them east to more than double their 298 miles lead on third placed Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam!). Dalin is certainly benefiting from leading into stronger breeze and appears to have a faster sail combination, likely a spinnaker, than his rival Ruyant. Their regime is demanding, manoeuvre, nav station, rest. Repeat, as described by Ruyant this morning tracking the wind in real time is key. 

“We spend time at the chart table to find the way. We know the basics, but there are a lot of subtleties to deal with and, for now, Charlie (Dalin) does it very, very well. My position in second  with a good cushion behind me is quite satisfying but we are not in the Indian Ocean yet. That is to say we are far from the goal. There is a rhythm from the star and thay is still the case, and there will be more in the coming days we will run through the whole sail inventory and combinations." 

Behind the top duo, Le Cam is sticking to his philosophy of sailing fewest miles, working a more direct route, always on the inside of the fleet relative to the centre of the Saint Helena high pressure which is now to their north. He seems intent on staying with this straight line to the SE and working as best he can through the very light winds which are ahead of him. Le Cam has repositioned slightly to put himself directly ahead of Kevin Escoffier.

In contrast Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée 2) gybed away from the second pack yesterday afternoon and is looking to work a more direct course due south. He will forego south-eastwards miles in the short term – the optimal direction – but believes that his gain will be by getting reaching a fast moving train ride east.

Meantime Alex Thomson has clearly been on the nightshift on HUGO BOSS. After resuming race mode yesterday afternoon, taking the opportunity to trundle down the track in relatively benign breezes and flat seas after the first phase of his repairs to the internal longitudinal framing in the bow of his IMOCA, the British skipper followed his plan to work the cooler night hours to finish his laminating repairs. As a consequence he has been slow during the night and slipped to seventh but he is in a good pack of boats and is very much still in the race.

Elan Yachts has brought together the expertise of designers Tom and Rob Humphreys and luxury motorcar manufacturer, Porsche to create their line of GT luxury cruisers, which are bringing about a sea change in the performance cruiser market.

The relationship between Elan Yachts and Humphreys Yacht Design has been developed over many years, bringing an array of impressive cruising yachts to market. But with the GT5, and now the latest GT6, Elan is making luxury cruisers to take on the world’s best. The GT6 in particular can boast not only the fine design skills of Tom and father Rob Humphreys, but also the talents of designers from luxury motorcar marque, Porsche to help design a truly remarkable performance cruiser.

“As an office, we’ve always had a very close affinity with Elan,” explains designer Tom Humphreys. “We’ve been working together for 25 years now and definitely have a special connection with the Elan brand.

“But I’m really excited about the new developments in the GT range. That line is going in a great direction to make it a little more luxury and more owner-focused. The GT range is all about taking the liveaboard comfort up another level”

When it comes to making a luxury cruiser that is also sporty enough to give an owner everything they crave in terms of pure sailing performance, Humphreys Yacht Design and Elan Yachts have been able to draw on their years of designing together, and technological advances in construction techniques, to deliver a performance cruiser that works for owners looking for a step up in terms of both onboard luxury and performance.

“Designing a yacht is obviously always a technical challenge, and that’s something we really enjoy, but in a sense, the biggest challenge is fulfilling an owner’s expectations,” explains Rob Humphreys.

“There is a great pride of ownership and that is really important for us. We want owners to feel really proud of their boats, and tell their friends “I’ve got a whatever,” whether it’s a race boat or a luxury cruiser.”

“For the GT6, we worked very closely with the Elan in-house team, getting a wish-list of what they would like to see on the boat,” Tom Humphreys states.

“Elan were very early adopters with the whole resin infusion process and in adopting vinylester as a resin system. That has allowed fairly significant changes, because it results in quite a bit of weight reduction on the composite structure parts.

“Really you can look at the GT6 as an evolution of everything we’ve done with Elan up to now, even building on the previous GT5 model.

“It’s a fast-cruising yacht with a very comfortable interior. It is a great concept and very much an owner’s yacht.”

“For us the process has all been about trying to optimise all these features that go into making it a really comfortable, well-mannered, easily managed design,” adds Rob Humphreys. “And the work Elan have developed in-house with the Porsche team, means the overall model makes for a unique boat with a big future.”

Getting the features right

The work Tom and Rob Humphreys have been doing in recent years on some short-handed offshore and ocean-going performance yachts was key to the development of the GT6, particularly in creating a hull form that can deliver easy performance with a short-handed couple in mind.

“Simple sail handling systems are key, as is a well-proportioned rig to keep sail handling easy and simple,” Say Tom Humphreys. “But that must all be balanced by the hull and appendages, and the righting moment to keep loads manageable. It’s also very important to make sure it’s a really easy, fun and enjoyable boat to sail, that balances nicely on the different sail configurations and in different sea states.

“In terms of the features, the twin rudders are a key ingredient to the whole thing, coupled with the fairly high form stability hull form. The high form stability gives us many benefits. Obviously, from a physical point of view it gives us quite a high internal volume, which has significant and obvious benefits in terms of creating a luxury cruising yacht. It also allows us to carry or share a lot of the righting moment requirements and carry that in the hull form. That means we can look at moderating the keel ballast weight, which all helps to drive the displacement down and thus increase the performance of the hull.”

Both Tom and Rob Humphreys point to the regular repeat customers Elan achieves as a key element in helping them develop each new model and focus their direction by drawing on the vast amount of input from the owner’s side. This means they can be sure the direction they have taken in recent boats like the GT6 and before that the GT5 are what owners are looking for. Increasing performance from a luxury cruiser has shown time and again to be an important factor, so too increasing usability for short-handed crews. As such the design team are able to deliver the GT6, with its increased internal volume to allow a more luxury feel below, but also keep performance by reducing displacement, all in a hull that is easy to get to maximum performance from, with features like the twin rudders helping to deliver ease of use for couples.

“As the clients demand more from their yachts and from their new Elan models, all this information that’s generated really helps to flow into each new project,” concludes Tom Humphreys.

“I mean, it’s what we are all striving to do, isn’t it? Improve and constantly evolve each project as much as we can, and refine the balance of all the different criteria to all these designs. It certainly helps being able to draw on that wide knowledge base, and the GT6 is a product of just that.”