Even if the name may sound rather French, Grand Soleil is the brand that stands like a rock in the surf as a symbol of Italian yacht building. Since the seventies, the flagship and figurehead of the industry in the most beautiful boot in the world has stubbornly defied international competition. Although the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard in Forlì on the Adriatic never ranked among the really big manufacturers, the Italians have nevertheless established a prestigious position among the international competition with the Grand Soleil brand.
Grand Soleil is therefore often mentioned in the same breath as X-Yachts. The comparison is no coincidence. In fact, there are several parallels between the two shipyards, their products and market strategies. Similar to the Danes at X-Yachts with the XC (Cruising) touring line, the yacht builders at Cantiere del Pardo have now broadened their range of performance cruisers in addition to their proven performance-orientated offerings and have successfully tackled the topic of cruising. The Italians have also developed their own line (LC - Long Cruise) with three models between 42 and 52 feet in length.
The competition
Grand Soleil 44 Performance:New name for fresh shapes
Now, however, Cantiere del Pardo seems to be returning to its roots and core competences - in the performance sector. Following the launch of the Grand Soleil 48 Performance the sports programme is now being expanded to include the 44 Performance model. It will replace the tried-and-tested 43 in the portfolio, of which the shipyard has sold 70 units since 2013.
The appointment of Italian Matteo Polli as designer for the new 44 Performance is significant. Polli is a proven specialist for the ORC and IRC equalisation systems and has won no less than three world championship titles in recent years with his designs for Italia Yachts (IY 9.98 and IY 11.98). Now he is also set to help the Grand Soleil brand to new regatta successes.
Polli's design language is unmistakable: the round, but nevertheless quite flat frame at the stern with the strongly constricted waterline and the soft chines pulled far upwards are already familiar from the successful boats in the Fuoriserie series from Italia Yachts - in particular from the IY 11.98, which is actually not dissimilar to the new 44 from Grand Soleil in terms of hull shape.
With its striking curves, Polli wants to ensure that the wetted surface remains small and the waterline short in light winds and low heeling. This measures just 12.10 metres on the new boat, with a hull length of 13.40 metres. This also results in measurement advantages for the ORC and IRC handicap.
Visually, the ship remains true to the brand
On the other hand, the wide, flat hull flanks are intended to ensure a high degree of dimensional stability. This helps the shipyard to further reduce the amount of ballast in the deep T-keel. In the case of the Grand Soleil 44 Performance, the slim fin with the narrow lead bomb accounts for just 28 percent of the total weight of 9.5 tonnes; that is not much for a designated performance boat, even compared to the competition.
There is also only one, but very slim and deep rudder blade. This is built unusually far under the boat so that there is no air turbulence on the profile when heeling, which usually leads to an immediate loss of control and a sun shot. Specifically: on the Grand Soleil 44, the distance from the aft edge at the stern to the rudder shaft is an impressive 1.80 metres.
However, the position of the rudder does not have a major influence on the steering behaviour, explains designer Polli. Rather, the hull shape, especially at the bow, is decisive for the ship's reactions to the rudder movements. The Grand Soleil 44 can benefit from a relatively long hull overhang and a flat forefoot. During the YACHT test, the Polli design responded immediately to the slightest rudder deflections and was remarkably dynamic, especially when manoeuvring under sail and also under power.
More fun with extra power
In light winds between 6 and 8 knots, the Grand Soleil 44 is suitably equipped with a furling Code Zero (Reacher A3). The powerful sail develops a lot of pressure and quickly accelerates the boat to a speed of 8.5 knots at half wind, i.e. faster than the wind blows. To turn upwind, the additional sail has to be lowered again and the briefly overlapping genoa raised, which considerably reduces the fun factor and the performance data in light winds. Nevertheless, even with the sail upwind, the Italian still manages a speed of 5.6 knots and tacks over a fairly narrow angle of 80 degrees.
On the test ship, construction number 1, the continuous cable from the steering columns to the rudder quadrant is possibly a little too tight. The Jefa system is stiff, and the autopilot is permanently engaged during the test run. This leaves the helmsman with little rudder pressure and therefore little steering feel - an adjustment that should be correctable.
However, the quadrant is very easy to reach through the aft peak. The helmsman has to stand behind the wheel to get a reasonably good view of the sails and over the bow to the front. On the other hand, the helmsman sits very low on the side of the running deck, which slopes aft, and is only sufficiently relaxed when the boat is heeled.
Two variants for theGrand Soleil 44 Performanceto the election
The Grand Soleil 44 Performance is available in two fundamentally different versions in terms of deck layout. The Race version (the test boat) has a more conventional arrangement with primary and secondary winches on the side and behind the coaming and roof winches on the side of the companionway with stopper batteries in front for all halyards, reefing and trim lines. And there are quite a few of them in this version. The tried-and-tested layout is designed for sporty sailors who are travelling with a crew and also take part in regattas. In this version, the boat is equipped with a longer bowsprit, an overlapping genoa and a higher rig; the test boat is even made of carbon fibre.
The standard version, on the other hand, has a more cruising-orientated layout for smaller crews. All running rigging, i.e. all halyards, sheets and trim lines, are led through a channel in the coaming to directly in front of the steering columns. Two large and powerful winches are then available on each side, leaving the cockpit completely free of sheets and controls at the front.
Comfort comes on top with the Grand Soleil 44 Performance
The standard boat is also equipped with a shorter aluminium mast, the trunk at the bow is less long and the self-tacking jib comes as standard. Of course, customers can put together the components for their own boat from both versions. The layout variants can also be easily converted or retrofitted.
For example, it would be possible to order the boat in the race version and later convert it for use as a family cruising boat with comparatively little effort - or vice versa. The sheet channels built into the cabin superstructure and coaming are integrated into the existing structures in both versions, and the winches and stopper batteries can be refitted in no time at all.
Apart from the two spacious halyard locker compartments, there is little storage space in the cockpit. There are no forecastle lockers in the thwarts because the shipyard does not want to restrict the feeling of space in the aft cabins. There is plenty of space for fenders, mooring lines and additional sails in the aft peak at the stern and in the sail locker at the bow. However, their opening is quite small. Bulky sail bags, for example, can only be accommodated there to a limited extent.
Optics are the centre ofGrand Soleil 44 Performance in the foreground
In comparison to the great customisability of the Grand Soleil 44 Performance concept in terms of deck equipment, the interior options remain modest. Variants to the conventional standard layout with three double cabins and two heads are not planned. There is also initially no alternative to the light oak interior; only the colours of the upholstery can be chosen by the customer. The quality of the interior below deck gives no cause for particular criticism or effusive praise. The woodwork is beautifully and solidly executed, the gaps are correct, and the floorboards are neatly laid over a blind plywood floor; they do not creak even under load.
Particularly in the beautiful, modern and open-plan saloon, the shipyard appears to have prioritised the visual aspects in collaboration with the stylists from Nauta Design. For example, the usual rows of storage space installed at the sides have been completely dispensed with in favour of more perceived space. There is a lack of storage space in the saloon because the volumes under the benches are already largely occupied by installations for on-board technology such as ventilation, heating, air conditioning and batteries.
On the other hand, the galley is all the more functional, with large and easily usable storage spaces and an extensive work surface when the lids of the cooling compartments are closed and the cover over the cooker is closed. The position of the navigation system right at the main bulkhead by the passageway to the foredeck is rather unusual. However, even when the boat is heeling, you can sit here with surprisingly good support and in the direction of travel. As a chart table, however, the work surface is too small.
Comfort with concessions
For the forward extension, the concept envisages a stylish island bed, which is built comparatively far into the foredeck. At the head end, the lying area is therefore quite narrow and the berth is only 1.25 metres wide at shoulder height. If you need more space, it is better to lie down with your feet forward. The question also arises as to why the shipyard does not also offer the berth in the foredeck as a large triangular berth and utilise the space to the side for more sleeping comfort.
In the two symmetrically designed aft cabins, the berths are more comfortable with a width of 1.47 metres at the shoulders. All three cabins have spacious wardrobes and ample storage space. The headroom is also within the average range for boats of this size.
In the foredeck, the owners have their own wet room with a separate shower cubicle. However, the space inside is quite limited; and if you want to close the acrylic glass partition wall to shower, you have to be very slim. The shipyard has provided significantly more space for the bathroom aft at the side of the companionway, where the shower room is also easier to use. The standard of fittings in the toilet rooms is very pleasant with many wooden elements, and with an opening hatch in each, the ventilation options are not exactly plentiful, but they are still there.
Grand Soleil 44 Performance is attractively priced
The Italian yacht builders are asking just under 480,760 euros for the standard version of the well-equipped and high-quality Grand Soleil 44 Performance. There is an additional charge for a good set of upwind sails, which is not unusual for performance boats. Anyone opting for the sporty upgrade to the Race version will have to dig deeper into their pockets. There is a further surcharge for the regatta-oriented deck equipment and the higher mast with rod shrouds.
Nevertheless, Cantiere del Pardo's pricing policy is quite competitive in comparison, not to say attractive. The Italians have once again built a beautiful boat that will undoubtedly cause a stir, and not just on the regatta circuit. With the choice of two possible deck layouts for sport or touring sailing, the concept can satisfy a broad demand and bundle attractions. And then there's that excitingly pretty rear end.
The measured values for testing the Grand Soleil 44 Performance
The Grand Soleil 44 Performance in detail
Technical data of the Grand Soleil 44 Performance
- Design engineer:Matteo Polli
- CE design category:A
- Torso length:13,40 m
- Width:4,30 m
- Draught/alternative:2,40/2,80 m
- Weight:9,5 t
- Ballast/proportion:2,7 t/28 %
- Mainsail (Std.):59,0 m2
- Self-tacking jib (Std.):47,0 m2
- machine (Volvo P.):36 kW/49 hp
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich constructions with PVC foam core and carbon reinforcements. Laminated with vinyl ester resin
Price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: € 480,760 gross, incl. 19% VAT.
- Warranty/against osmosis: 2/2 years
Shipyard
Cantiere del Pardo, 47122 Forlì (Italy); www.grandsoleil.net
Distribution
As of 11/2023, how the prices shown are defined can be found here !
YACHT rating of the Grand Soleil 44 Performance
Attractive performance cruiser from Italy with lots of potential. Available in various performance levels and a choice of two cockpit layouts. The pricing is also attractive compared to the competition
Design and concept
- + Deck layout in two variants
- + Robust construction
- + New shapes, harmonious look
Sailing performance and trim
- + High performance potential
- - Little steering feel on the test boat
Living and finishing quality
- + Beautiful and bright interior design
- - Only one layout - no variants
- - Too little storage space in the lounge
Equipment and technology
- + Best equipment standard
- + Control quadrant very easily accessible
- + Carbon bowsprit in two lengths
This article first appeared in YACHT 02/2021 and has been updated for this online version.
