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Elan 38
Designer: J&J Design  ·  Builder: Elan (Slov)  ·  First built: 1991
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About the Elan 38

Slovenian builder Elan Marine developed the Elan 38 as part of their popular cruising sailboat lineup, targeting sailors seeking a balance of performance and comfort for coastal and offshore adventures. This mid-sized cruiser represents Elan's commitment to building seaworthy vessels that can handle extended passages while remaining manageable for smaller crews. Built with Elan's characteristic attention to construction quality, the 38 features a solid fiberglass hull designed to inspire confidence in varied sea conditions. The yacht's moderate displacement and sail plan create a versatile platform equally at home on weekend coastal hops or longer blue-water passages. Her spacious cockpit and well-planned deck layout prioritize safety and ease of handling, making her particularly appealing to couples or families looking to venture beyond protected waters. Below deck, the Elan 38 offers comfortable accommodations without sacrificing the structural integrity needed for serious cruising. The interior layout maximizes living space while maintaining good sea berths for offshore work. Elan's reputation for building robust, well-finished boats is evident throughout, making the 38 a solid choice for sailors prioritizing reliability and comfort over cutting-edge performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.21 ft / 11.95 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.99 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 12.70 ft / 3.87 m
Max Draft 6.40 ft / 1.95 m
Displacement 14,330.00 lb / 6,500 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer J&J Design
Builder Elan (SLOV)
First Built 1991
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
195.41
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 8.71 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 195.41
P (Mainsail Luff) Diesel
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 23 gals / 87 L
Water Capacity 74 gals / 280 L
How It Compares

vs. Bavaria 39, Dufour 39 Cc, Oceanis 390 Beneteau

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Elan 38 ★
39.2 ft
Bavaria 39
39.4 ft
Dufour 39 Cc
39.3 ft
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
39.4 ft
LWL
Elan 38 ★
32.0 ft
Bavaria 39
34.1 ft
Dufour 39 Cc
31.8 ft
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
33.1 ft
Beam
Elan 38 ★
12.7 ft
Bavaria 39
13.1 ft
Dufour 39 Cc
12.6 ft
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
13.1 ft
Displacement
Elan 38 ★
14 lbs
Bavaria 39
18 lbs
Dufour 39 Cc
15 lbs
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
17 lbs
Ballast
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
6 lbs
Dufour 39 Cc
4 lbs
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
6 lbs
Sail Area
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
753 sq ft
Dufour 39 Cc
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
710 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
17.0
Dufour 39 Cc
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
16.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
35.3 %
Dufour 39 Cc
29.0 %
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
35.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
26.1
Dufour 39 Cc
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
25.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
1.98
Dufour 39 Cc
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
2.02
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Elan 38 ★
195
Bavaria 39
210
Dufour 39 Cc
217
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
216
Hull Speed
Elan 38 ★
Bavaria 39
7.8 kts
Dufour 39 Cc
Oceanis 390 Beneteau
7.7 kts
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