Elan E5 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for an Elan E5 means looking at a 39-foot Humphreys-designed performance cruiser built from 2014 onward, where the most common used examples are owner three-cabin layouts, though both the one- and two-head versions appear, and ex-charter boats are a frequent sight. The model's hard-chined hull, twin rudders, and twin wheels read as a racing-derived cruiser, and that character should frame every buying decision.
Layouts on the Used Market
The standard boat carries three cabins with one head; the optional layout adds a second head. Below, expect double quarter-berths aft, a starboard galley with two-burner stove and top-opening fridge, a port head and shower, and a forward v-berth in the third cabin. A concealed nav station folds away to preserve saloon space. Owner-version interiors show pale oak veneers and laminate teak-style flooring, while ex-charter units may show harder use of the same footprint. Either way, the V-shaped cockpit and keel-stepped mast with retractable carbon bowsprit define the platform.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Teak decks are commonly fitted on used E5s, a meaningful upgrade for looks and resale but worth checking for bond failure. Often-seen gear includes cabin heating, an asymmetric spinnaker flown off the bowsprit, bimini, swim platform, cockpit shower, AIS, autopilot, chartplotter, and life raft — together these suggest most boats are already set up for short-handed coastal passage-making. For buyer consequence, prioritise the power and energy side: a Volvo saildrive diesel is standard, but some may carry the Oceanvolt electric option, and a generator or watermaker would be a notable owner addition if present. On canvas and sail handling, the furling genoa and Harken deck gear are typical, while navigation is usually B&G. Comfort items such as heating and ambient lighting matter less to survey but affect livability.
What to Inspect
The structural story is favourable: bulkheads and interior components are laminated in place as part of the vacuum-assisted infusion process, producing a one-piece shell intended to resist osmosis. On a used boat, confirm the foam-cored deck and hull for delamination or undocumented repairs, and check the T-keel bond and twin-rudder bearings. The Volvo under the companionway should be inspected for saildrive seal condition; the electric option demands battery and motor survey. Verify the retractable bowsprit mechanism and asymmetric gear if fitted, and test the Jefa twin-wheel steering for free play.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Used E5s typically appear in Spain, Italy, Croatia, and Sweden. For a buyer, the short checklist is: confirm layout (owner vs ex-charter, head count), verify teak deck condition, confirm the standard saildrive and furling gear, and survey the infusion structure and rudders. A well-kept example rewards the sailor who wants speed without giving up a proper cabin aft.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Elan E5. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 7 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 1 | $263,000 | — |
| Jun 25 | 1 | $411,019 | +56.3% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $201,622 | -50.9% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $267,709 | +32.8% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $267,709 | 0.0% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $351,037 | +31.1% |
| May 26 | 1 | $280,426 | -20.1% |
Where they're listed
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
11 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance 40 | 39.04' | $ 88,490 | 28 | 10 |
| Legend E33 | 33.05' | $ 98,013 | 20 | 7 |
| Performance 350 | 34.78' | $ 109,774 | 18 | 6 |
| Elan E4 | 34.78' | $ 192,661 | 17 | 4 |
| Elan 37 | 37.17' | $ 83,110 | 13 | 4 |
| Elan 33 | 33.96' | $ 27,415 | 12 | 5 |
| Performance 45 E | 45.76' | $ 186,925 | 11 | 4 |
| Elan 36 | 36.09' | $ 58,478 | 10 | 4 |
| Elan E5You are here | — | $ 267,709 | 6 | 0 |
| Marlow-Hunter e33 | 33' | $ 109,900 | 6 | 2 |
| Elan 410 | 40.26' | $ 140,015 | 6 | 4 |