The first Grand Soleil Plus 80 Long Cruise has touched the water in Fano. Cantiere del Pardo launched the 23.99 metre yacht in the presence of the owner and his family. As the largest model ever developed under the Grand Soleil brand, the Plus 80 LC positions itself as the Italian shipyard's new flagship. It has a waterline length of 19.84 metres and a width of 6.60 metres. With a displacement of 41 tonnes, the yacht is aimed at discerning long-distance sailors who want to combine comfort with performance. Cantiere del Pardo has introduced the Plus designation for models over 60 feet, signalling extended customisation options. The launch marks a milestone for the shipyard, which is consistently expanding its model range upwards.
Double rudder instead of Polli classic
Matteo Polli was responsible for the hull lines. The Italian designer developed a twin rudder system for a Grand Soleil for the first time. "Designing the hull lines for an 80-foot yacht is a challenging task, made even more complex by the variety of system configurations an owner can choose from," explains Polli. The twin rudder configuration combines Cantiere del Pardo with a telescopic keel that covers draughts from 2.80 to 4.80 metres. The system allows access to shallower harbours and anchorages.
Polli promises the typical characteristics of twin rudders: better control in unfavourable weather conditions and precise handling even when heeling heavily. The stern shows the typical Polli signature with sweeping shapes on deck and a narrower waterline, but is more moderate than previous designs. The Plus 80 Long Cruise can also be ordered with a single rudder and various keel options.
Nauta Design plans space and style
The Milan office Nauta Design was responsible for the interior planning as well as the exterior and interior styling. Co-founder Massimo Gino emphasises the challenge: "The design of an 80-foot yacht is a particularly demanding challenge. We meticulously optimised the freeboard heights, the interior spaces and the cabin sizes and integrated all the necessary equipment and accessories in every area."
The long-cruise version has a slightly raised cabin superstructure with a continuous strip of windows that floods the saloon with daylight. The layout distributes four guest cabins between the bow and stern of the saloon. A crew cabin for two people and the galley are located in front of the transversely parked tender in the stern. According to the shipyard's specifications, Nauta Design had to compress the qualities of 95- to 100-foot yachts into 80 feet.
Sporty sailing wardrobe
The Plus 80 LC is powered by 365 square metres of sail area. The sail carrying capacity (dimensionless figure, ratio of sail area to displacement) is 5.54, which indicates a clearly sporty orientation, even though Cantiere del Pardo is positioning the yacht primarily as a long-distance cruising yacht. Grand Soleil also offers the flagship in a performance version, which primarily involves changes to the superstructure and deck layout of existing models. The extent of the modifications depends on the customer's wishes.
Vacuum infusion with carbon reinforcements
Franco Corazza, project manager for the Plus line, explains the construction method: "True to Grand Soleil's tradition, the GS Plus 80 Long Cruise is manufactured entirely in-house." This means a sandwich composite construction and vacuum infusion process. Unidirectional carbon reinforcements are used in high-stress areas as well as along the stringers and structural floor groups.
Wide range of models
Cantiere del Pardo is systematically expanding the Grand Soleil model range. Presented at boot Düsseldorf 2025, the Grand Soleil Blue forms the lower end as a 33-foot weekender. Since 2022, the Grand Soleil 72 in the maxi segment, followed in 2023 by the 65-foot model. With the Plus 80, the shipyard is expanding the section of over 60-foot models that now bear the Plus designation.
Technical data:
Grand Soleil Plus 80 LC:
- Overall length: 23.99 m
- Waterline length: 19.84 m
- Width: 6.60 m
- Draught: 3.95 m (fixed keel) / 2.80-4.80 m (telescopic keel)
- Weight: 41 tonnes
- Sail area downwind: 365.0 m²
- Construction: Matteo Polli
- Design/Layout: Nauta Design
- Shipyard: Cantiere del Pardo/Grand Soleil
- Distribution: Diamond Yachts, Laboe
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
