First Look: New Grand Soleil 65 LC

Successor to Grand Soleil 72 LC

Last year 2023 turned out to be a busy year for the Grand Soleil shipyard - the launch of the first sides of the Grand Soleil 72 and Grand Soleil 72 LC, presentation of new Grand Soleil 40. The year 2024 began no less busy, namely with the promotion of the new Grand Soleil 65 model. Unlike the 40th model, the “sixty” is a kind of successor to the larger GS 72 model. Designer Matteo Polli worked on the design of both yachts. 

The new GS 65, like the GS 72, is offered in two versions: Performance and Long Cruise (LC). As the names suggest, the Performance version is better suited for those who prefer active sailing. Long Cruise is created for measured and pleasant cruises.

However, visually these yachts are very similar. The difference in length is small and is a little more than a meter, and the width is only about 20 centimeters. In some ways, these two yachts are like twin brothers, offering almost identical options for the owner. But why then did Grand Soleil decide to release such a yacht?

Differences of the new yacht

The devil is in the details. Despite all their external similarities, the yachts Grand Soleil 65 and Grand Soleil 72 have quite a few structural differences.

So, the first noticeable difference was the work of the architects on the balance of the yacht’s hull. The shipyard set the task of redistributing the weight of the yacht in such a way that the change in layout would in no way affect the performance characteristics. It was important to achieve an effect in which the Long Cruise version felt equally at home on the move with both three and four cabins.

Because of this, it was necessary to change the internal geometry of the yacht and ensure a balanced weight distribution along the entire length of the hull. Matteo Poli believes that the Grand Soleil 65 LC is now optimally configured for both racing and cruising.

In addition, the architects did a great job with the sails and rigging. Now the luff of the jib has become larger, and the bowsprit has been shortened slightly. The mast was further strengthened and moved closer to the stern. Due to the shift in the center of mass in this hull arrangement, the keel also had to be moved towards the stern. All these manipulations, as Polly explains, helped make the yacht truly stable and capable of carrying a wide range of sails, without losing any speed or performance. 

The yacht cannot be called revolutionary. However, the Grand Soleil shipyard decided to take the evolutionary path. Whether these innovations will take root – time will tell.

Interior layout of Grand Soleil 65 LC

The Grand Soleil 65 LC is available with three or four cabins. The galley, as in other yachts of similar dimensions, is located amidships. The Performance version has a galley in the stern. 

Two cabins are located aft and the master cabin is located between the forecastle and amidships. There is a crew cabin right in the bow. In addition, several additional beds can be arranged in the cabin.

The salon is notable not only for its sleeping places. The Grand Soleil 65 LC offers a feature familiar to shipyard fans - a 270-degree view from the salon, made possible by large skylights on the walls of the wheelhouse. Another feature, as they say, is not for everyone.

The thing is that in pursuit of the yacht’s stability and performance, we still had to sacrifice convenience. The entire interior of the yacht has several levels of height. The salon is located above the galley, and the galley is located below the aft and bow cabins. Such elevation changes could not be avoided. The generator and fuel tank are located directly under the cabin, which is why it is raised. 

Some reviewers are trying to present this as a feature and a new level of convenience. However, objectively this is not the best solution.

Technical characteristics of Grand Soleil 65 LC

New video on the Interparus channel!

Almost live reporting from Dusseldorf - the long-awaited premiere of Dufour 44 took place! Sasha Goron will tell and show all the most interesting features of the new yacht. Enjoy watching!

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30.01.2024