The Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 vs Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 at 39,0 ft versus Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 at 39,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 tips the scales at 18 448 lbs — 2 354 lbs more than the Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 at 16 094 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 — 39 hp for the Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 and 38 hp for the Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015. 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 S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 carries 42 gallons versus 39 gallons in the Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 displaces 18 448 lbs — a 2 354-lb difference over the Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 at 16 094 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 S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 draws 7,1 ft, compared to 5,1 ft for the Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014. That 2,0-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 Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 8,1 knots for the Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 and 7,7 knots for the Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014.
Bottom line: The Elan Yachts Impression 40 Deep draft/Shoul draft 2014 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 18 448 lbs displacement and 39 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Elan Yachts S5 Deep draft/Shoal draft 2015 at 16 094 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.