Elan Impression 40.1 Specs, Layouts and Value

Where the Elan Impression 40.1 fits

The Elan Impression 40.1 was the entry point to Elan's deck-saloon cruising range in its final years: a 39 ft 4 in boat (37 ft 8 in hull) designed to be easy for a couple, roomy for a young family and durable enough for Mediterranean charter fleets, which bought many of them. Sailboatdata dates the first boats to 2020 and boat-specs to 2019, which fits an introduction at the turn of the decade, and the earliest 40.1s on the brokerage market are 2020 builds.

It sat below the Impression 45.1 and 50.1 and shared their approach: a proven Humphreys Yacht Design hull with a raised coachroof, given a modern transom, a reworked cockpit and new joinery by Elan's in-house team. When Elan introduced the Impression 43 in 2023, the 40.1 moved to the 'previous models' list, and in November 2025 Elan said the Impression line would not continue.

What the '.1' added to the Impression 40

The 40.1 grew out of the Impression 40, which boat-specs records from 2014 to 2019 and which appeared on Elan's dedicated Impression website in 2014. The underlying hull and rig dimensions carry over, and Elan's announcement focused on the deck and interior instead.

• A new vertical transom that lengthens the usable cockpit and modernizes the profile
• Choice of small or large bathing platform, giving either an open sporty transom or a closed one
• Two aft storage boxes that can be upgraded to hold a grill, fridge or sink
• Steering pedestals sized for 9 in plotters, with light composite wheels
• A fold-down cockpit table with integrated handrail and cupholders
• Iroko veneer with solid iroko trim and a 130 liter front-opening fridge

Four interior plans on a 37 ft 8 in hull

Elan listed four layouts for the 40.1, more than most rivals in this size: three cabins with one head, three cabins with two heads, two cabins with one head and two cabins with two heads. The three-cabin, one-head plan suits charter and families with children; the two-cabin versions swap an aft cabin for a large cockpit-locker volume that cruising couples will fill quickly. A two-head boat is worth seeking if you regularly sail with another couple, and it tends to resell faster.

The interior uses iroko, sometimes called African teak, chosen by Elan for durability in charter, with a bright saloon under the raised coachroof and a galley built around that large front-opening fridge. Water capacity is 240 liters (63 gallons) standard with a 520 liter (137 gallon) option, generous for a 39-footer and a good sign for longer island-hopping.

Reading the design numbers

No major American or British magazine published a full sea trial of the 40.1, so its character has to be read from the numbers. Sailboatdata calculates a sail area to displacement ratio of about 18.8 with the full-batten main and genoa, a displacement to length ratio near 233, a ballast ratio of about 30 percent and a Brewer comfort ratio of 27.4. That describes a moderate, comfortable coastal cruiser rather than a performance boat: it should be stiff and forgiving, carry a cruising payload without fuss and reward a full-batten main over the optional in-mast furling sail, which gives up about 6 m2 of area.

The 10 m (32 ft 10 in) waterline gives a theoretical hull speed of about 7.7 knots. A single deep spade rudder, built in-house as a monolithic composite blade, keeps the steering simple compared with the twin-rudder E and GT models.

Diesel or electric power

Standard power is the 29 hp Yanmar 3YM30AE on a saildrive, with a 45 hp Yanmar 4JH45 upgrade that most private owners will prefer for punching into a Mediterranean meltemi or a short Chesapeake chop. Sailboatdata also records a 50 hp Volvo option. Elan offered Oceanvolt electric drives of 10 kW or 15 kW, making the 40.1 one of the few production cruisers of its size available with factory electric propulsion; check battery chemistry, age and regeneration settings carefully on any electric boat. Diesel tankage is 146 liters (38 gallons).

A cockpit built around the transom

Most of the 40.1's appeal is aft. The vertical transom frees space for twin wheels with room to pass between them, the aft boxes double as helm seats or an outdoor kitchen, and the drop-down platform turns into a swim step and dinghy landing. Elan kept its signature Impression transom seats, which the yard says crews always claim first. Forward of the wheels, the fold-down table leaves a walkway when closed and seats the crew when open, with drink holders and a handrail built in.

For shorthanded sailing, look for boats with the self-tailing primaries within reach of the helms and an electric winch for the halyards; charter boats often have the basics only.

Prices and what to look for in an Impression 40.1

Most 40.1s for sale are in Croatia, many coming out of charter after four to six seasons. Recent asking prices range from about 90,000 euros (a 2022 boat) to roughly 210,000 euros for private 2022 and 2023 examples, which translates to about $120,000 to $235,000 for a US buyer before shipping and commissioning. With Elan no longer building the Impression range, prices are now set by condition, layout and equipment rather than by competition from new boats.

Charter boats are not automatically bad buys, but they usually need new sails, upholstery and running rigging, and the saildrive and engine should be inspected by a dealer. A short charter history with documented servicing is a reasonable compromise for a buyer who wants the newest possible boat for the money.