The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 vs Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 measures 43,4 feet overall (2016), giving it roughly 11,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014 at 32,1 feet (2014). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Elan Yachts GT5 2016 tips the scales at 19 775 lbs — 6 825 lbs more than the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014 at 12 950 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 45 hp for the Elan Yachts GT5 2016 and 29 hp for the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Elan Yachts GT5 2016 carries 39 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Elan Yachts GT5 2016 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 displaces 19 775 lbs — a 6 825-lb difference over the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014 at 12 950 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 draws 8,0 ft, compared to 5,2 ft for the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014. That 2,8-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Elan Yachts GT5 2016 carries a 45-hp engine against 29 hp on the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 8,3 knots for the Elan Yachts GT5 2016 and 7,2 knots for the Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014.
Bottom line: The Elan Yachts GT5 2016 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 19 775 lbs displacement and 43 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Elan Yachts Impression 35 2014 at 12 950 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.