For Elan, the project represents a return to the company’s most advanced tradition: using industrial efficiency in high-technology composite manufacturing to build genuine high-tech sailing machines. History teaches us that important steps forward in performance were achieved by new design, enabled by a new build technology. Advances from classical wood boatbuilding, to steel, to cold-molded resin-glued wood veneers, to glass-reinforced polyester and finally to carbon fibres with epoxy resin made the yachts lighter, stronger - and sailing faster. The carbon/epoxy platform provides a decisive strength-to-weight advantage and is the foundation of modern bluewater performance. 

Carbon-epoxy materials and process using SAN or PVC foam sandwich cores create the possibly strongest and lightest structures available today. Comparing the difference in strength and weight advantage of carbon fibres with epoxy resin laminates to glass/polyester composites: three times stronger in tensile strength and four times stiffer in a similar sandwich panel of same thickness. Using epoxy structural glues which hold 300 kg per every cm2 you get the lightest and strongest yacht - comparable with America’s Cup or IMOCA round-the-world singlehanded yachts. Not only resistant to osmosis the carbon/epoxy structures also age extremely well compared to GRP yachts.

Custom autopilot derived from IMOCA singlehanded round-the-world racing is based on B&G backbone hardware and uses several additional sensors and software with adaptive algorithms to optimize steering in dynamic conditions. The autopilot software for the Elan 65 is written based on Gomboc simulator derived design inputs which describe the movement and reactions of the yacht in a range of sea and wind circulstances. It processes real-time sensor data to maintain target wind angles and stability, adjusting continuously for waves, sail trim, and heel, surpassing expert human helming precision. After the launch of the yacht 1 the software is improved on the data gathered during the sailing trials to assure safe and fast sailing in all conditions.

A monolithic steel keel fin (blade) with no welds, allowing thinner sections and lower drag. Weight difference is shifted from the fin into the lead bulb, lowering CG and increasing righting moment. Continuous forged high-tensile steel like HRO 774 boosts fatigue strength and removes weld-induced stress concentrations and corrosion sites, and is incomparably stronger to cast keel fins. 

LIGHTER AND BETTER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: The advanced electrical systems on the Elan Sixtyfive is hundreds of kilograms lighter and better than the classical yachting solutions used before. Digital switching reduces copper wiring mass and enables intuitive, intelligent control of electrical systems, lowering energy use. Lithium-based energy storage replaces heavy lead-acid batteries and delivers higher capacity, cutting generator hours and ensuring quieter nights. Photovoltaics: Intelligent PV integration adds a free, sustainable energy source, reduces reliance on high-power generators, cuts running hours, and improves overall electrical efficiency. Hydrogeneration adoption in bluewater cruising is set to grow, and Elan intends to lead this transition