Elan Yachts developed the boat with Humphreys Yachts Design and its own design team. The result rewards short-handed sailing without sacrificing living space. Production ran from 2017 through 2020.
Design and Construction
The hull has a relatively conservative modern shape, with maximum beam amidships rather than carried far aft. This choice favors stability and interior volume over the dramatically wide sterns found on some contemporary designs. The boat measures 49 feet 10 inches overall, 45 feet 2 inches on the waterline, and 15 feet 4 inches in beam.
Standard displacement is 28,367 lbs, with 9,920 lbs of ballast. The shoal-draft version draws 6 feet 1 inch and carries 10,582 lbs of ballast.
The raised center section of the deck saloon isn’t merely a styling gesture. It creates a large space for the diesel and vital systems, simplifying the housing of machinery below anchor. Inside, the joinery combines Iroko wood-veneer surfaces with solid wood trim—a finish testers found attractive without seeming precious.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
A tall rig with powered winches and roller furling provides ample sail power while keeping the boat manageable for a small crew. The self-tacking jib proved wonderful to windward, although testers noted that a lightweight foresail was needed to perk up speed downwind. They regarded that as an easy addition to the sail inventory rather than a deficiency in the base rig.
One pair of powered winches is within reach of the helm; the other isn’t. That arrangement suits a couple, but it’s less than ideal for single-handed trimming without relying on the autopilot.
The twin rudders provided positive helm control as the boat short-tacked through 80 degrees up the Severn River at Annapolis, maintaining 6.5 knots in a 12-knot autumn breeze. Under power, handling was exemplary, with a turning circle of less than one boatlength, immediate stopping, and controllable backing.
A 75hp or 80hp diesel pushed the boat to a cruising speed of 8.4 knots at 2,400 rpm. The cabin sound level was a moderate 74 dBA.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit is divided into two zones. Aft, the working area contains twin wheels, mechanical controls, and lines. Forward, a larger seating area has twin tables that lower to form lounging pads. The helm seats are comfortable, and the coachroof is low enough to preserve excellent visibility in every direction.
Below, the unusual transverse galley places the cook forward, at the point of minimum motion. Testers called the arrangement perfect for offshore sailing. A proper navigation table amidships provides a dedicated passage-planning station.
Elan offered three interior layouts. In two of them, the forward cabin can be divided by a movable partition resembling a solid Shoji screen. Owners can therefore switch between private and shared sleeping arrangements without rebuilding the interior.
Stern Platforms and Life at Anchor
The 50.1 has two drop-down stern platforms, one small and one large. The crew can deploy the smaller platform as a minimal dinghy dock or lower the larger one to create a full bathing platform. This split-transom arrangement is uncommon among comparable cruisers and reflects the boat’s focus on entertaining and swimming at anchor.
Together with the forward lounging cockpit and raised saloon, it gives the 50.1 a layout designed as much for enjoying the destination as for making the passage.
Verdict
The Elan Impression 50.1 succeeds as a short-handed, long-range cruiser without compromising living space. Its amidships-beam hull, twin-rudder control, and powered-winching arrangement make passage-making manageable for two. At anchor, the transverse galley, dividable forward cabin, and twin stern platforms create a genuinely hospitable base.
The main caveats concern sail handling. Only half the powered winches are within reach of the helm, which limits single-handed trimming, and the self-tacking jib needs a lightweight downwind sail to remain lively off the wind.
Pros
- Conservative hull with maximum beam amidships, providing strong interior volume and stability
- Raised deck saloon creates accessible space for the diesel and systems
- Twin rudders and a tight turning circle under power ease close-quarters handling
- Forward transverse galley at the point of minimum motion suits offshore cooking
- Movable forward-cabin partition in two of the three layouts
- Two stern-platform sizes suit different uses at anchor
Cons
- Only one pair of powered winches is reachable from the helm
- Self-tacking jib needs an additional lightweight foresail for better downwind pace
