At just under 50 feet overall, the 50.1 develops the raised-coachroof, deck-saloon concept around an inverted saloon layout unique in its class. It’s aimed at couples and families looking for efficient passage-making and a roomy home when moored.
Design and Construction
The 50.1 has a relatively conservative modern hull, with maximum beam amidships rather than carried well aft. This keeps the sectional shape predictable and the motion easy. Humphreys’ CFD work gives the hull a low centre of gravity and great stability, while the builder credits the classic L-shaped keel with easier navigation.
Elan builds the hull using Vacuum-Assisted Infusion Lamination, a method the yard adopted across its fleet in 2003. The raised central section of the deck saloon creates a large volume for the diesel engine and vital systems.
Below, the joinery is finished in Iroko veneer with solid wood trim. Period reviewers found it attractive rather than merely serviceable.
Rig, Sailing and Handling
The 50.1 is set up for a small crew. Its tall fractional rig carries roller furling, powered winches and a self-tacking jib that testers praised to windward. One pair of powered winches is within reach of the helm; the other isn’t. That arrangement works well for a couple, but it’s less suitable for single-handed sailing.
Twin Jefa wheels operate twin rudders that reduce the tendency to broach. The system provided positive helm control when SAIL Magazine short-tacked the boat up the Severn at Annapolis, sailing through 80 degrees at 6.5 knots in a 12-knot breeze.
Handling under power was exemplary. Writing in SAIL Magazine, testers reported a turning circle of less than one boatlength, immediate stopping and controllable backing. At 2400 rpm, the boat made 8.4 knots while cabin noise remained a moderate 74 dBA.
Interior and Accommodation
The raised centre of the deck saloon makes the interior much brighter and more spacious than that of an ordinary yacht. Its inverted saloon layout optimises the maximum beam for living space.
Elan offers three accommodation plans:
- Three cabins and three heads as standard
- Four cabins and three heads
- Five cabins and two heads
Two of the three layouts include a distinctive forward cabin that can be divided by a movable solid partition resembling a Shoji screen. The saloon can also convert into a double berth for larger crews.
The transverse galley sits forward and surrounds the cook at the point of minimum motion. A proper navigation table is positioned amidships.
Cockpit and Outdoor Living
The wheels divide the cockpit into two sections: an aft working zone and a larger forward lounging area. Twin cockpit tables drop to form pads, and their split arrangement leaves room to move between them. The cockpit boxes can also be upgraded to include a grill and refrigerator.
At the stern, the 50.1 is unusual in offering two drop-down platforms. One is a small, teak-covered platform; the other is a large bathing platform that extends the living area and closes the transom for safety. Dimmable ambient lighting serves evenings aboard.
Equipment
Elan offers an anchor windlass with a remote control and chain counter, intended to make single-handed anchoring straightforward. A bow thruster is also available to ease close-quarters docking.
The Verdict
The Impression 50.1 is a thoughtfully engineered mid-size cruiser that trades a radical hull shape for predictable, family-friendly performance and a genuinely roomy deck-saloon interior. Its short-handed rig, twin-rudder control and exemplary handling under power make it a confident coastal and moderate offshore vessel. Multiple cabin layouts and the partitionable forward berth suit both private and charter-style ownership.
Pros
- Unique inverted deck saloon with a bright, spacious interior and CFD-derived stability
- Twin rudders and Jefa twin-wheel steering, along with excellent close-quarters handling under power
- Self-tacking jib and powered winches well suited to a couple
- Several cabin layouts, including a partitionable forward cabin
- Forward transverse galley at the point of minimum motion
- Proper amidships navigation table
Cons
- One pair of powered winches can’t be reached from the helm, limiting single-handed sail handling
- The shoal-draft option adds ballast but still carries meaningful draft for some harbours
