Sailing yacht Grand Soleil Blue: first look

Expansion of the Grand Soleil range of sailing yachts

The Grand Soleil shipyard has given us many interesting yachts. There was also a large 24-meter Grand Soleil 72 LC, and average in size Grand Soleil 65 LC and even miniature compared to other models Grand Soleil 40. However, the company's lineup was missing something.

In January 2024, Grand Soleil and another Italian shipyard, Cantiere del Pardo, presented the Grand Soleil 33 concept. The model became better known as the Grand Soleil Blue. Now the puzzle is complete - the model line lacked a compact ten-meter yacht. 

Grand Soleil and Cantiere del Pardo are positioning the new boat as an alternative solution for day cruisers. Today, the Grand Soleil 33 is the brand's smallest yacht, effectively taking the place of a daysailer in the lineup.

Technology and design Grand Soleil Blue

The main focus of the shipyard is environmental friendliness and convenience. It's funny that the advertising campaign puts a subtle emphasis on the fact that “environmental friendliness” will not affect the durability of the boat, quite the contrary.

Among designers and architects you can also find familiar names and company names. So, Matteo Polli engaged in naval architecture, design studio Nauta Design were responsible for the exterior and interior design, while NL Comp developed and supplied composites for the yacht's hull. 

A few words about the body: it will be molded using thermoplastic resin. According to the shipyard, this will solve the problem of recycling yachts during disposal. We wrote about the problems associated with the processing of yachts in this article.

In addition, the Grand Soleil Blue should be one of the first “collapsible boats”. The shipyard's website states that a special design approach will be used during the creation of the yacht. All that is known about it at the moment is that Grand Soleil is targeting the automotive market and plans to simplify the process of servicing and replacing equipment on board.

Environmental friendliness and green technologies

Grand Soleil Blue will be equipped with an electric motor and a large lithium battery. For additional autonomy, solar panels will also be installed on board. Thanks to a powerful battery and solar panels, the boat will be able to provide a cruising range of 30 nautical miles at a speed of 5 knots on a single charge. 

According to the description on the company's website, a continuous range of 30 nautical miles is equivalent to 6 hours of continuous engine operation or 12 hours of operation with a double battery pack. 

Other features include thermoplastic sails. Unlike the already familiar electric motors, thermoplastic sails are a truly interesting and fresh solution. Grand Soleil Blue will also be able to generate electricity using hydropower. 

Deck and interior 

A distinctive feature of the Grand Soleil Blue is the large sofa at the stern. It is located a little further than the helms and ends right at the transom. On the transom there will be a full-fledged, albeit small, swimming platform with a convenient ladder directly into the water.

Judging by the concepts, there will be only two winches on deck, both located near the helms. There is no backstay, which made the stern more open and free to move. The mainsail must have a furling boom. The cockpit has comfortable seats in front of the helms and a large folding table. 

The inside of the Grand Soleil Blue looks good. The interior lacks stars from the sky, but is done with taste. Below deck there is only a salon with a folding table, a galley, a bathroom and sofas that transform into one large double bed. 

For a day cruise or for traveling alone, this will be enough. But if you are a family yachtsman, we recommend that you pay attention to a boat of similar dimensions with much more impressive interior spaces. 

Conclusion 

Overall, Grand Soleil Blue is an interesting project that will find its client. The variety of technologies used, the practical convenience of the cockpit, and the modern design are what people will buy this boat for. On the other hand, the yacht is not suitable for family yachtsmen or yachtsmen who are used to getting together in a large group. Grand Soleil Blue will premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

Technical characteristics of Grand Soleil Blue

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21.03.2024