Review: New 2023 Grand Soleil 40

Grand Soleil 40 real racing yacht

How is a racing yacht usually represented? Minimum amenities, maximum speed - everything in such a yacht is designed so as not to distract the racers from the regatta. However, Grand Soleil 40, like its predecessor Grand Soleil 44, is trying to break stereotypes.

The development of the yacht was carried out by the naval architect and designer Matteo Polli, who was involved in the design of the yacht. In order to create an optimal racing yacht with really comfortable interiors, Nauta Design was also brought in. Nauta Design had limitations - it was necessary to create a feeling of comfort in the rooms, but without capital weighting of the case.

The boat's displacement is only 7.5 tons, but Matteo and Nauta Design were able to create a practical and easy-to-handle boat hull. Modern racing yachts perform well in strong wind conditions. However, many boaters note that racing boats can be a bit clumsy in calmer conditions. Judging by the reviews of the reviewers, the Grand Soleil 40 does not have such a problem. It performs equally well in both strong and weak winds.

Comfort and regattas

Although the Grand Soleil 40 is positioned as an “option for everyone”, but still it is the fans of sailing and regattas who are the target audience. The shipyard offers three keel options - with a draft of 2.4 meters (for IRC regattas), 2.1 meters (for ORC regattas) and a shallow keel of 1.85 m (for cruisers). The ORC regatta variant has no additional ballast. The shipyard reports that in this version “the weight of the crew will act as an additional ballast”. 

The cockpit of the yacht is small, and the boom is located quite low. However, this can only be a problem for people taller than 190 cm. Most yachts in the series have an aluminum mast, but if the owner wishes, a carbon mast can be installed. The shipyard says that 20% future owners are choosing carbon masts.

All sail controls are brought to the cockpit, which makes the boat as comfortable as possible. The standard version of the Grand Soleil 40 offers a mainsail with four winches. Two winches are installed closer to the stern, and two more on the roof of the saloon. The shipyard also reports that most of the customers choose the version with two additional winches to control the genoa. 

There are several lockers on deck to store your belongings and a separate locker for rescue equipment. It is located behind the bathing platform on the transom. The platform itself is electrically controlled.

Grand Soleil 40 interior 

There are three cabins on board. The master cabin still does not have as much space as we would like, but still more than in the past boats of the shipyard. There is a fairly roomy locker under the bed, but to access things, it is not necessary to raise the mattress in the most convenient way. The additional bathroom is securely equipped, but, alas, there is no separate shower.

The two aft cabins have plenty of space with large beds. The lockers in these cabins are not under the beds, but behind them. In general, there were no particular complaints from the reviewers towards the cabins. The boat, being originally sharpened for sailing and racing, was able to give the owners a sufficient level of comfort, but still falls short of the competition.

In the saloon, there is a longitudinal galley on the port side. There is a fairly large work surface with deep sides, two full-fledged sinks, a convenient refrigerator with a volume of 75 liters, with a bunch of lockers and drawers. There is also an additional 42 liter refrigerator. Under some seats in the cabin there is additional storage space for provisions.

Near the galley there is a comfortable small sofa with a dining table, and behind it is a large L-shaped sofa. There are a lot of lockers of different sizes and in the most unexpected places in the cabin. 

Specifications Grand Soleil 40

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03.05.2023