Builder Elan

History

Today's Elan Group, with its two dozen units, was born as an underground ski manufacturer for Yugoslavian partisans during World War II. The company was founded by the Slovenian skier Rudi Finžgar, who legally formalized the production in 1945 and in 1948 the company was nationalized and partially state-owned until 2015.

The production of boats, first kayaks and canoes and then wooden and plastic boats started in the late forties. In the 1950s and 70s Elan succeeded in mass production of small boats and exported them all over the world. Over 10,000 hulls have been built in the Tourist series.

In the 1980s the company began building racing and cruising yachts. On Elan 31, Olympian Duchannes Pooh won the world championship in the quarter-ton class.

In 1995 Elan started working with the design bureau of British Rob Hemphreys. In the 2000s the new Impression range of cruising yachts - 344 and 340 - was awarded the «European Yacht of the Year title. The Elan 350 racing and cruising yacht was named «Yacht of the Year» in 2011.

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 Group was awarded the title of Most «Innovative Company by» the prestigious Plus X Award in Germany. However, this has not helped the group to cope with a number of corporate turmoil. In 2015, Elan Group has completely withdrawn from state ownership and is now owned by Merrill Lynch Bank and Wiltan Enterprises Cyprus. The latter is linked to Russian investors.

Model range

With the change of ownership, Elan Marine is clearly looking for a formula for success. The shipyard's extensive experience, good backround design and extensive production facilities allow it to act with courage. 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 been transformed into a line under the E-liter.

«The branded» line of family cruisers Impression has been preserved, but was introduced as a separate brand Impression Yachts.

In 2016 in Paris debuted a new development of Rob Hemphreys Elan GT5 - luxury racing cruiser of medium size.

Features .

Remaining a typical manufacturer in terms of housing technology (vacuum resin lamination), Elan Marine is distinguished by its approach to 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».

Production

As in the 1940s, Elan Marine Shipyard is located in Begunje na Gorenjskem on an area of 40 hectares. The shipyard also produces skis and elements for wind generators. The shipyard employs 125 people. Now the shipyard builds about 100 hulls per year.