The Elan Power 30 boasts a Tony Castro hull, twin diesels on sterndrives and two excellent cabins - we put it to the test in Poole
The Elan Power 30, though a boat that has been on the market for some time, is one that we have always been eager to test and we got the opportunity on the back of the Poole Harbour Boat Show.
Reason being 30ft sportscruisers are a crucial stepping stone because they give you so much more flexibility and the ability to tackle longer passages and stay on board for extended periods of time.
Elan Power 30 catching some air during our photo shoot
The Power 30 is one of the best in this regard because, down below, it doesn’t feel anywhere near 32ft long – it feels far bigger.
Key to the feeling of the space is the clever split galley which puts the main bulk of the counter space on the starboard side and the sink and storage unit the other side of the walkway that leads to the midships cabin.
The Elan Power 30 feels far bigger down below then it actually is
There are two separate cabins, both a good size with a reasonable amount of storage and what’s especially good about the 30 is that it doesn’t feel like everything has been pinched to fit the boat, the dinette is a good size, headroom is excellent and the door ways are a decent width unlike some rivals.
The flip side of this spacious interior is a cockpit that isn’t quite as spacious as the likes of the Sealine S330 but the 30 makes up for it with intelligent design like the centrally located helm, which not only delivers an excellent view forward but also provides a large flat surface for paper charts to starboard.
The midships cabin is a good size on the Elan Power 30
The helm station is now clad in classy black leather to smarten it up and reduce glare and there is a simple sliding sunroof for when the weather agrees.
Dealer Norfolk Boat Sales say it is going to address the slightly tacky cupboard doors on the wet-bar, but that aside the Power 30 feels well put together, especially when you consider the competitive price.
Performance
Out on the water we had the largest pair of diesels, Volvo’s beautifully compact D3 220s and they propelled the Power 30 to a decent top speed of 33.5 knots flat out.
These punchy engines mated to sterndrives and an excellent Tony Castro hull make the 30 a brilliantly engaging boat to drive and it was pleasantly refined in the nasty chop running off Poole.
The large interior means the cockpit feels a little smaller than rivals but it is well designed
The Elan Power 30 may have been out for a while and look a little dated in comparison to the Sealine S330 and upcoming Bavaria Sport 300 but it still has plenty to offer if you are in the market for a boat of this size.
We are planning a group test between the Elan Power 30, Bavaria Sport 300, Grandezza 33 OC and Sealine C330 in a future issue of the magazine, so look out for it.
Contact: Norfolk Boat Sales. Tel: +44 (0)1603 781178 Web: www.elan-motoryachts.com
Pros
- Spacious interior
- Two separate cabins
- Confident, Tony Castro hull
- Strong performance
- Good value
Cons
- Looking slightly dated now
- Cockpit isn't as big as some rivals
Price as reviewed:
£200,000.00 as tested
Verdict
It may look a little outdated but there is still a lot to love about the Elan Power 30. Below decks it masterfully defies its diminutive length and the hull and powertrain combination are as sweet as you will find, plus it represents strong value for money.
Details
Length: 32ft 5in (9.9m)
Beam: 11ft 5in (3.5m)
Displacement: 4.4 tonnes (dry)
Fuel capacity: 110 imp gal (500 litres)
Water capacity: 31 imp gal (140 litres)
RCD Catergory: B for 8 people
Test engines: Twin Volvo Penta D3 220hp
Top speed: 33.5 knots
