Elan Impression 384 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Impression 384 rests on a hand-laid, vacuum-bagged hull built using NPG gelcoat, isophthalic resin, and multiaxial fiberglass cloth, with the hull cored with PVC above the waterline and solid glass below, reinforced with a structural grid and additional stringers along the hull sides. The deck is cored with PVC, and the hull/deck joint is bolted and bonded to create a monocoque structure. Elan Marine employs up-to-date resin-infusion technology to build a successful line of cruiser/racers, and the 384 carries a Germanischer Lloyd certification, evidence of a structure built strong enough for offshore intent. The keel is cast iron, and the boat combines excellent stability with generous freeboard to keep the crew dry atop a powerful but easily driven hull.

Rig and Handling

A fractional sloop with a mast stepped on deck atop a stainless-steel compression post in the saloon, the 384 sets sail from a Seldén mast and proves well balanced and responsive in 15-knot gusts, tacking through 90 degrees and gybing effortlessly. Test sailors found her happy and responsive with just the right amount of weather helm, and in 15 to 20 knots with puffs over 20 she hit 7 knots upwind and reached at nearly 8, though testers noted they needed to sail her on her feet to keep her in the groove, and in one large blast the rudder stalled and the boat rounded into a tack. Under power the Volvo diesel pushed her to 7 knots at 2,800 rpm with a 79-dBA sound level in the saloon, and full throttle produced 7.7 knots; sharp turns yielded tight turning circles, perfect for dodging crab pots or retrieving an object overboard. A known refinement followed: Humphreys has subsequently consulted with Elan to eliminate an unintended gap between the rudder and hull to give the rudder increased power.

Accommodations

All layout options have at their heart a spacious and airy saloon with an abundance of natural light and comfortable seating, and the two-stateroom boat tested carried 6-foot-10-inch headroom under deadlights in the cabin sides and overhead. A surprise awaits at the bottom of the companionway steps, where there is a small additional step-down into the saloon, and the companionway ladder is steep though not awkwardly so, its laminated-wood treads canting up at their ends to create positive footing when heeled. The galley to port forms a shallow U with a well-placed centerline counter at the companionway foot, though the two-burner stove may be a bit small for enthusiastic cooks; the boat tested carried one Isotherm refrigerator unit with a well-insulated, spring-supported lid, and two insulated compartments. Opposite the galley, a generous head compartment contains a large stall shower, and a small nav desk sits forward within the saloon conversation zone. Forward of the saloon, the second stateroom has a full-size alongside berth as wide at the foot as at the head, while aft of the galley a stateroom holds a queen-size quarter berth with adequate standing headroom. Owners can choose a range of internal layouts to match individual requirements, and the layout is a very workable solution for two-couple cruising.

Known Issues

The wide-open saloon really needs overhead grabrails for better security under way, a shortfall partly met by vertical stainless-steel grabrails on either side of the companionway. The wheel felt a bit springy in one test, possibly the result of cable stretch during a delivery trip, and small fiddles around work surfaces could be upgraded for distance cruising. The wiring is neatly color-coded, bundled, and routed, but as on many European boats it appears to be untinned, a detail worth monitoring in a blue water context. The boat has an ungraceful appearance from astern, and corner pulpits on the quarters are joined across the stern by lifelines that can be dropped for transom-platform access.

Refits and Ownership

Elan's U.S. rep, Ted Novakowski, has re-led the traveler controls aft of the dodger for easier access, a useful modification for short-handed crews. The hinged companionway stairs and additional access hatches provide pretty good access to engine sides for routine maintenance, and for access to the 40-horsepower diesel the hinged ladder swings up easily. A deep bilge sump, bronze through-hull fittings with hoses double-clamped to shutoff valves, and neat plumbing speak to a serviceable ownership proposition.

The Verdict

The Elan Impression 384 is an all-out cruiser that is both quick and accommodating, grounded in a vacuum-bagged hull with Lloyd's certification and a Humphreys pedigree aimed at extending cruising range. Its saloon-forward volume, multiple layout options, and considered details such as recessed blinds and spring-supported fridge lids make it a genuine live-aboard.

Pros

Fast cruising hull with documented 7-knot upwind and near-8-knot reaching performance
Spacious, airy saloon with 6-foot-10-inch headroom and multiple layout choices
Strong, certified construction with monocoque hull/deck joint and cast-iron keel
Good engine access via hinged ladder and companionway stairs

Cons