Elan 38 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

39.21' · 11.95 m

Displ.

14,330 lbs · 6,500 kg

First year

1991

The Elan 38, introduced in the mid1990s, represents a critical evolutionary step in the collaboration between the Slovenian shipyard and the prolific naval architects at J&J Design. Emerging during a period when Elan was pivoting from a regional manufacturer to a formidable European exporter, the 38 was designed to compete directly with the "cruiserracer" hybrids of the French giants. It successfully bridged the gap between the legendary Elan 31 and the more voluminous Impression line that would follow a decade later. Built with a solid fiberglass hull and a sandwichconstruction deck, the model was prized for its structural rigidity and a hull form that prioritized stability without sacrificing the lightair agility for which J&J designs are known. It was largely superseded by the Elan 37 and Elan 40 in the early 2000s, but it remains a staple of the brokerage market for sailors seeking a robust, dualpurpose coastal cruiser.