Grand Soleil Blue: Sporty start to a new shipyard line

They say that boats that look good sail just as well. Really? The yacht builders at Cantiere del Pardo are now providing proof of this bold claim with their new Grand Soleil Blue. The smart weekender with its excitingly pretty lines already caught the eye at its premiere in January at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf and became one of the big talking points. Now the beautiful Italian has shown in the YACHT test that looks and performance do indeed go hand in hand in her case.

Until now, the yacht builders in Forlì on the Italian Adriatic coast have concentrated on their two successful lines for fast performance cruisers and sporty blue water yachts under the type designation LC (Long Cruise). After all, the programme of the largest series manufacturer in Italy now includes no fewer than 14 models between 40 and 80 feet in length. The range is now being expanded with the new Grand Soleil Blue model - and at the same time the brand's smallest boat with a hull length of less than ten metres is being introduced.

What's more, a pure daysailer or weekender is an absolute novelty for the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard and its Grand Soleil brand. Although the new model is listed as a "Special Project" on the shipyard's website, it is also intended to form a strong basis for the development of a new, third shipyard programme.

More boats from Cantiere del Pardo

• Grand Soleil 80 LC
• Grand Soleil 72
• Grand Soleil 65 LC
• Grand Soleil 52
• Test Grand Soleil 44
• Grand Soleil 42 LC
• Grand Soleil 40

Sustainably environmentally friendly

The suffix "Blue" stands for the shipyard's commitment to a sustainable, environmentally friendly construction process. For the Italians, blue symbolises the sea - an equivalent to the term green for environmental concerns on land. The ecological project goals are to be achieved by using fully recyclable composite materials, among other things.

For the new Grand Soleil Blue, the hull, deck and all small parts built using fibre composites are laminated with the thermoplastic resin Elium from the manufacturer Arkema. This polymer can later be removed from the fibre composite using a chemical process and completely recycled.

The design of the Grand Soleil Blue once again comes from the office of Matteo Polli Yacht Design, who now oversees all new construction projects for the Grand Soleil brand. Polli is known for his designs, which are not only attractive but also extremely successful, especially for the ORC handicap. However, as a pure daysailer or weekender with little demand for special regatta suitability, the new Grand Soleil model was not specifically designed with a particularly favourable measurement in mind.

Rather, Polli's aim was to follow the typical brand DNA of Grand Soleil visually, while at the same time creating a memorable identity for a new shipyard line. The flat, almost wedge-shaped cabin superstructure, the strikingly low freeboard and, above all, the distinctive character of the stern with the flat, protruding V-frame and the wide, drawn-in waterline are all part of this. This special design is typical of the designer and has even become known as the "Polli stern". In addition, there is a slim but deep single rudder, which is installed far forward, as well as a sporty T-keel with an extremely thin but also long ballast body in the shape of a torpedo.

The sailing performance of the Grand Soleil Blue

The design parameters therefore promise a lot of sportiness and performance. The sail load factor is an above-average 5.3, although the boat is not particularly light overall with a total weight of 3.5 tonnes and a generous ballast ratio of around a third.

The test takes place on Lake Garda off Malcesine. Unfortunately, the thermals that start in the afternoon are not as strong as usual on the test day when the weather is fine. The wind remained rather weak at a maximum of 10 knots and the water was waveless. Nevertheless, the pretty Italian can show what she's made of. And that's quite a lot: 6.6 knots hard upwind with a tight tacking angle of just 75 degrees. With half the wind and a gennaker, the daysailer can reach a speed of 7.5 knots. These performance data are a statement - even to the competition.

Properly trimmed, the Grand Soleil Blue sails dynamically and stiffly. Nevertheless, steering remains challenging because even the smallest movements on the double wheels produce immediate reactions. What's more, the boat sails in a very balanced manner and therefore there is hardly any steering feel. Steering is a lot of fun, but also requires a lot of attention from the helmsman to keep the boat optimally on the wind edge.

Good for sailing in pairs

The Grand Soleil Blue is perfect for two people. You don't need more crew. Thanks to the standard self-tacking jib, the boat is also easy to handle solo without any restrictions. The guides for the sheets and trim lines to the side of the winches on the rear coaming are perfectly organised and all functions are within easy reach, even from the helmsman's position. A high-quality selection of well-dimensioned deck fittings from renowned manufacturers also ensures smooth trimming and manoeuvring.

Due to the square head mainsail, the Grand Soleil Blue has to make do without a backstay. If you want to sail in a sporty manner and attach importance to maximum performance, it is therefore essential to have the Traveller mainsheet fitted on the aft deck, although the shipyard only offers this as an option. In addition, instead of the high and slim self-tacking jib, an overlapping genoa with 3D-hole points could also be used on the coachroof. The equipment for more performance is available individually or in packages, optionally with a carbon fibre rig. In addition, two large sheet winches are available on both sides for the genoa and gennaker, which can also be operated electrically. As an option, the handling can be set up for ultimate push-button sailing.

With a width of no less than 3.70 metres, the Grand Soleil Blue is significantly more voluminous compared to possible competitor boats. The aspect ratio of the Polli design is only 2.7, which is unusual for the otherwise generally rather slim daysailers or weekenders. Due to the low freeboard and the flat cabin superstructure, the extraordinary width is not really noticeable visually. The only problems are in harbours, where there is often no room for wide boats. In addition, transport on the road is only possible with a special licence, whereas many other daysailers and weekenders in the same length segment can also be transported on a trailer without any problems.

In fact, the Grand Soleil Blue feels much bigger and bulkier than it actually is. There is enough space in the cockpit for up to six people to comfortably sail and enjoy each other's company. The thwarts are 1.57 metres long and, together with the sloping cabin bulkhead, can also be used as comfortable sun loungers. As there are no interior fittings aft, the cockpit remains comparatively deep and is therefore well protected.

The Grand Soleil Blue under cover

The interior also benefits from the generous design lines. Reduced to the area in front of the cabin bulkhead, the interior is nevertheless very spacious and suitable for travelling. In keeping with its orientation as a weekender, the focus is not on offering as many berths as possible, but rather on maximising living comfort for a couple or a small family with children. With the exception of the enclosed wet room, the ship therefore remains completely open below deck without any spatial partitions. This design not only ensures flexible utilisation, but also a feeling of spaciousness.

The well over two metre long sunbathing area in the foredeck utilises the entire width of the boat. A generous width of 2.08 metres is therefore available here in the area of the shoulders. Such berth dimensions are an exception even in the upper luxury segment. The sofas further aft remain short and cannot be used as additional berths for adults. Overall, however, this also fits in well with the image of a genuine weekender. There is also no headroom below deck, but four people can sit very comfortably and upright on the benches around the sturdy saloon table. Because there are no hull windows in the shallow freeboard and the superstructure windows are also narrow, it remains relatively dark below deck even in the sun.

If you want to take the boat on longer trips, you will be delighted with the surprisingly large and well-equipped galley with plenty of work surfaces and usable storage space. The wide sliding hatch makes it possible to stand in the area of the companionway and galley.

The Grand Soleil Blue runs on electricity

In keeping with the ecological approach of building with recyclable composite materials, the Grand Soleil Blue will be equipped exclusively with electric propulsion. The shipyard recommends installing a pod motor from the manufacturer ePropulsion with an output of 6 kW. The power for this comes from a battery installed under the companionway, which is permanently charged via the standard pre-installed solar panels on the cabin roof as well as via hydrogeneration by the travelling propeller.

The price of the Grand Soleil Blue

• Base price ex shipyard 272.500 €
• Price ready to sail 298.930 €
• Guarantee/against osmosis 2/2 years

As at 2025, as the prices shown are defined, read here!

The Grand Soleil Blue costs a good 270,000 euros in standard equipment ex shipyard. The price structure seems high compared to the competition. The list of possible options is also quite long and cost-intensive. For example, the sails are not included in the standard scope of delivery and must be purchased separately. For a simple set of sails with main, self-tacking jib and gennaker, you have to calculate with at least an additional 15,000 euros.

The Grand Soleil Blue is not easy to pigeonhole. The independence of its concept and the exciting look make it something special, which will attract individualists in particular.

Yacht rating

Attractive and powerful weekender with a cosy interior suitable for touring. The equipment is good and of high quality, the price is high.

Design and concept

Sustainable construction

Deep, well-protected cockpit

Extreme width in comparison

Sailing performance and trim

Lots of performance potential

Suitable for one-handed use

Little rudder pressure

Living and finishing quality

Spacious design

Functional pantry

Little light below deck

Equipment and technology

High-quality basic equipment

Electric motor as standard

Innovative rear platform

Technical data Grand Soleil Blue

• CE design category C
• Hull length 9,99 m
• Total length 11,30 m
• Waterline length 9,05 m
• Width 3,70 m
• Draught/alternative 2,20/1,80 m
• Mast height above WL 15,70 m
• Hull speed 7.3 kn
• Weight 3,5 t
• Ballast/proportion 1,2 t/34 %
• Mainsail 38,0 m²
• Self-tacking jib 26,0 m²
• Genoa (106 %) 32,0 m²
• Motorisation Electric pod 6 kW
• Fresh water tank (PVC) 70 l
• Holding tank (PVC) 25 l

Hull and deck construction

Recyclable GRP sandwich laminate with foam core and thermoplastic Elium resin. Full laminate in the keel and rudder shaft area. Carbon fibre reinforcements in highly stressed areas.

Motorisation

The Grand Soleil Blue comes as standard with an electric pod drive from manufacturer ePropulsion with an output of 6 kW. One or two batteries (E163) with a storage capacity of 8.3 kWh each can be installed.

Rig and sail

Aluminium rig from manufacturer Seldén with two spreaders and 1:19 wire shrouds. A carbon fibre mast with rod shrouds is optionally available. The surcharge: 37,500 euros.

Shipyard

Cantiere del Pardo, 47122 Forlì (Italy); www.grandsoleil.net

Distribution

Diamond Yachts, D-24235 Laboe; www.diamond-yachts.de

The competition of the Grand Soleil Blue

Black Pepper Code 0.1

It's not just the stunningly pretty look of this French model that makes it an eye-catcher. The Code 0.1 is built entirely from carbon fibre at Black Pepper in Nantes. Variants with a fixed or swivelling keel are possible. Length 10.05 m; width 3.00 m; weight 2.4 tonnes; from 353,430 euros. To the test...

Domani S 32

Attractive daysailer/weekender from Belgium with a modern crack and double steering wheels, despite the comparatively slim design. The interior is simple, but not uncomfortable. Length 9.60 m; width 2.50 m; weight 2.0 tonnes; from 220,960 euros. To the test...

Esse 330

Sleek lines, a high and powerful rig, plus a cosy interior suitable for long weekend cruises. The boat from Switzerland is already equipped to a very high standard. Length 9.90 m; width 2.55 m; weight 2.45 tonnes; from 218,960 euros. To the test...

Saffier SE 33 Life

Active sailing, competing in regattas or spending a weekend on the water with the family. The sporty weekender from Holland fulfils a wide range of requirements. Strong sailing characteristics in the YACHT test. Length 9.85 m; width 2.85 m; weight 3.0 tonnes; from 219,555 euros. To the test...

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