Cantieri del Pardo shipyard that has built Grand Soleil sailing yachts for 35 years is located in Forli in Northern Italy. It took us around 3 hours on the toll highway to get from there to the Punta Ala marina where Grand Soleil 54 was moored. We were invited to attend the first test sail of this yacht by Italian yacht builders and Grand Yachts, the Russian dealer company of Grand Soleil yachts.

Elba Island is 6 nautical miles from Punta Ala; it takes 3 nautical miles to get to Monte Cristo where Edmond Dantes found the treasure of Abbe Faria. The marina itself is the home port for Luna Rosa, participant of the America’s Cup.

On the 1st day of the maiden sail, the 4th of March, the 17-metre Grand Soleil 54 enjoyed sunny and warm weather and south-easterly blowing at 22-25 knots. She’s was sailing close reach at around 35 degrees. The yacht sails easily at 14-15 knots, in full sail. Because the coast and Elba protect the area from waves, the white caps were no bigger than 0,5 m – perfect sailing conditions.

The next day we had an opportunity to test the yacht under extreme conditions, with the wind blowing at 40 knots.

With the main sail first-reefed and full genoa, the yacht made about 14 knots with heel no more than 10-15 degrees, handling perfectly all the time. We didn't have any problems lunching at the table in the lounge. Such small heeling - despite the high mast and great sail area - was ensured by the 3.10-m-long keel with a 6.5-ton lead bulb. Though at sudden 45-48 knots squalls the yacht did come to the wind all on its own a few times - which of course was to be expected in such strong gusts of wind with such a large sail area, and of course we needed to second-reef the mainsail and first-reef the genoa. But Italians like to show the goods to full advantage.

Often the speed characteristics are sacrificed for comfort and vice versa. The project was designed by Luca Brenta who also designed such well-known yachts as Wally. Grand Soleil yachts are from 37 to 56 feet, and each model is semi-custom made. Both racing and performance cruiser yachts can be built on the base of the hull, it all depends on the objectives that the owner has. Moreover, the series includes 2 racing models, GP 42’ and TP 52’. These yachts are the testing ground for innovative solutions, improvements of speed and ergonomics. Later the solutions will be implemented in the basic performance cruiser series. This way you get fast yachts that are comfortable enough, too.

The unique feature of Grand Soleil yachts is a voluminous frame from galvanized stainless steel inset in the hull which makes it stronger and more durable. The construction handles pressure from the mast, shrouds and keel.

As far as the interior is concerned, we’d like to mention a spacious lounge with a large dining table for 6 people, 2 soft sofas that make up a big bed when needed, the chart table with a sensor screen and a fully equipped cockpit. There’s a lot of storage space for food and drinking water.

The yacht is perfect for long journeys and has all the necessary equipment onboard. It can be managed by one person in good weather: sails can be managed by electric winches. The long spar, sheer racing bow, rigging by North Sails, deck hardwear by Harken – these are all signs that the constructors didn’t save on quality.

For the last 3 years Grand Soleil yachts have been taking all the first places in the most important regattas, such as the IMS European Championship, Italian Championship, World Championship, IMS Rolex and etc.

Usually these yachts are bought by successful people who like sailing and appreciate high quality boats. It may be the reason why Grand Soleil yachts are more familiar to advanced yachtsmen that to amateurs…

Konstantin Startsev

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