Back to Search
Elliott 780
Designer: Greg Elliott  ·  Builder: Modern Concept Yachts (Australia)  ·  First built: 1990
+ Add to Compare
About the Elliott 780

Designed by acclaimed New Zealand naval architect Greg Elliott and built by Modern Concept Yachts in Australia starting in 1990, this 25.59-foot sailboat represents an interesting blend of performance and practicality. The fractional sloop rig and moderate displacement of 1,984 pounds create a responsive sailing platform that's well-suited for both spirited day sailing and coastal cruising adventures. The Elliott 780's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which reduces draft from 6.89 feet to allow access to shallow anchorages and launching ramps while maintaining excellent upwind performance when fully deployed. This versatility makes it particularly appealing for trailer sailors and those exploring varied coastal waters. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio of 44% ensures good stability and sea-kindly behavior in challenging conditions. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 43.67, the boat offers lively performance without being overly demanding to handle. The comfortable 8.07-foot beam provides adequate interior space for weekend cruising while maintaining sleek lines that enhance speed potential. Greg Elliott's reputation for creating well-balanced designs that excel in diverse conditions is evident in this model, making it suitable for sailors seeking a capable boat that performs equally well in racing scenarios and leisurely coastal exploration.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.59 ft / 7.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.64 ft / 6.90 m
Beam 8.07 ft / 2.46 m
Max Draft 6.89 ft / 2.10 m
Min Draft 1.48 ft / 0.45 m
Displacement 1,984.00 lb / 900 kg
Ballast 882.00 lb / 400 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 430.00 ft² / 39.95 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Greg Elliott
Builder Modern Concept Yachts (AUSTRALIA)
First Built 1990
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
43.67
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
44.46
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
76.32
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
8.07
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.57
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.38 kn
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. 652.82 pounds/inch
Find a Elliott 780 For Sale