So, what is my general opinion of this small boat?
This will be a short review from what I learned so far. My Elan 210 is one of the early ones, built 2011, maybe some things changed during the years.
Looks
I used to own a Safir; an older long, slim and very beautiful boat with low freeboard and narrow beam. The Elan 210 is not as beautiful, but sure have more modern lines and looks with a racy attitude.
Sailing
It's a lively small boat that handles nicely in moderat winds and is fast even in lighter winds. In harder winds it's a bit over rigged and the reefs get to use. The lack of back stay or running backstays can make it difficult to maintain fore stay tension and controlling the jib. I fixed this by adding runners that I only connect when more windy.
Possibility to move on trailer
That the boat is trailerable was one of the key points for me. I looked at different makes and models of similar boats. The Elan stands out as it has a real keel bulb, but the lifting keel still makes it very easy to handel on the trailer ramp combined with a ballast optimized deep under the boat when sailing. The mast is on a hinge and kan be raised and lowered using the hinge and gennaker halyard. But this demands at lest three or preferably four persons handling it as it is very unstable sideways. I solved the problem using a home built portable mast crane allowing me raise and lower the mast alone in a very controlled manner.
Generally I feel that Elan have hit a good balance between easy trailer handling and focus on ballast optimization.
Build quality
I looked at Skippy 650, Campus 650 and First 21.7 before buying the Elan. Compared to the Skippy and Campus the Elan is generally well built. One thing I looked at was keel attachment, Elan have done a really good work here. I like it, loosing the keel or having a keel moving around in the keel drum does not sound good, so I am happy Elan has it securely bulted when lowered. The hull looks well built. Hardware are all high quality, Selden rigg and Harken deck hardware, so that is all good. Under deck it's well designed and well built, light and spacious.
Conclusion
I did a lot of research before buying the boat and generally I'm very happy with it and it is what I was looking for.
Would I but it again now? Yes, in this size and price range I think this is one of the better boats out there.
This will be a short review from what I learned so far. My Elan 210 is one of the early ones, built 2011, maybe some things changed during the years.
Looks
I used to own a Safir; an older long, slim and very beautiful boat with low freeboard and narrow beam. The Elan 210 is not as beautiful, but sure have more modern lines and looks with a racy attitude.
Sailing
It's a lively small boat that handles nicely in moderat winds and is fast even in lighter winds. In harder winds it's a bit over rigged and the reefs get to use. The lack of back stay or running backstays can make it difficult to maintain fore stay tension and controlling the jib. I fixed this by adding runners that I only connect when more windy.
Possibility to move on trailer
That the boat is trailerable was one of the key points for me. I looked at different makes and models of similar boats. The Elan stands out as it has a real keel bulb, but the lifting keel still makes it very easy to handel on the trailer ramp combined with a ballast optimized deep under the boat when sailing. The mast is on a hinge and kan be raised and lowered using the hinge and gennaker halyard. But this demands at lest three or preferably four persons handling it as it is very unstable sideways. I solved the problem using a home built portable mast crane allowing me raise and lower the mast alone in a very controlled manner.
Generally I feel that Elan have hit a good balance between easy trailer handling and focus on ballast optimization.
Build quality
I looked at Skippy 650, Campus 650 and First 21.7 before buying the Elan. Compared to the Skippy and Campus the Elan is generally well built. One thing I looked at was keel attachment, Elan have done a really good work here. I like it, loosing the keel or having a keel moving around in the keel drum does not sound good, so I am happy Elan has it securely bulted when lowered. The hull looks well built. Hardware are all high quality, Selden rigg and Harken deck hardware, so that is all good. Under deck it's well designed and well built, light and spacious.
Conclusion
I did a lot of research before buying the boat and generally I'm very happy with it and it is what I was looking for.
Would I but it again now? Yes, in this size and price range I think this is one of the better boats out there.
Contact me if you own a Elan 210 and want to share experiences, tips and information about your boat