Yacht Class n°41 (June-July-August 2025)

Grand Soleil – Cantiere del Pardo

Following on from the Long Cruise, the Italian group Cantiere del Pardo is launching the Grand Soleil 52 Performance, with a host of attractive features for regatta enthusiasts, not to mention the even more attractive Race version. All without sacrificing the comfort and quality of the brand.

Written by : Christophe Varène – Photos : DR

Il n’est jamais facile de succéder à un modèle ayant connu un réel succès avec environ soixante exemplaires lancés, encore plus s’il porte une double signature iconique : Cantiere del Pardo pour la construction et Germán Frers pour l’architecture navale. Le Grand Soleil 52 de deuxième génération se devait donc d’être à la hauteur de son glorieux prédécesseur. Le pari est gagné. Déjà apprécié dans sa version Long Cruise (LC), le voici venir dans sa configuration Performance, toujours avec les belles signatures de Matteo Polli, en tant qu’architecte, et de Nauta Design, pour l’extérieur et les intérieurs. L’absence d’arceau, le bout-dehors allongé et le bel espace arrière dédié aux manœuvres sont les aspects les plus évidents de cette évolution. Et pour ceux qui souhaitent aller encore plus loin dans la quête de vitesse, le constructeur italien propose une option boostée baptisée Race, comprenant entre autres une quille plus courte au profil plus fin, six winches (au lieu de quatre), un plan de voilure augmenté (5 m² supplémentaires sur la grand-voile et 3 sur le foc autovireur) et un bout-dehors en carbone allongé de 19 cm. De quoi affronter la concurrence sereinement, que ce soit lors de compétitions organisées par Grand Soleil ou lors d’épreuves ouvertes à toutes les marques, courues en IRC ou ORC. Et les quatre titres de Champion du monde en ORC B du Grand Soleil 44 Race sont la preuve, s’il en était besoin, des talents conjugués de Matteo Polli et du chantier transalpin.

A well-protected cockpit

The deck layout of the GS 52 Performance is designed to offer greater ease when manoeuvring under sail, but it is also attractive when cruising. The transom opens wide to become a bathing platform and provide access to the tender garage. The cockpit is slightly smaller than in the Long Cruise version, with two bench seats on either side of a central table with flaps. This space is effectively protected by fairly high sides and a retractable soft top in the deck, in front of the companionway. And with the help of four carbon pillars, a shade cloth ensures pleasant use of this convivial area, even in the sunniest anchorages. The Grand Soleil 52 Performance is therefore a subtle compromise for fans of coastal regattas who also plan to cross oceans to take on competitors on all the seas of the globe. Sailing fast and far, but in comfort.

Furnishings with a nautical flair

As for the interiors, Nauta Design has created an atmosphere of serenity, whether the choice is for oak, grey oak or teak joinery, with a certain contrast provided by the darker floors. The abundance of portholes at different heights provides generous light in the saloon, which is divided between a sofa and chart table on starboard, a comfortable table for six with deep bench seating, and the C-shaped galley for comfortable seating in all heights. One can also appreciate the seafaring sense of some of the details, such as the handrails on the ceiling and, for people who cannot reach them and to prevent objects from falling, the ledges on the tops of the worktops and furniture.

Careful finishing

Towards the front, we discover the area of the owner with its cabin provided with a beautiful natural lighting. A large bed sits in the centre, surrounded by plenty of storage, and the bathroom offers a very acceptable volume. Once again, one can notice the neat finishes. Going back, one may appreciate the cabins for guests, either two double or one double and one single. So if the Cantiere del Pardo group seems to be increasingly interested in large size and luxury units – as suggests the recent announcement of the Plus range, whose 80 will be the first model – it continues to pay the same attention to the sailing boats of the “standard” range, which is of course good news for newcomers to the Grand Soleil family. The charm and quality of these units “Made in Italy” always kicks in.