Yacht Class n°45 june-july-august 2026

Grand Soleil – Cantiere del Pardo

With her hybrid propulsion, refined design and simplified handling, the Grand Soleil 80 Long Cruise reveals remarkable seakeeping qualities while offering an exquisitely sensory experience on board, thereby opening wide the gates to the world of grand yachting. Step aboard for a trial sail through the translucent waters of Sardinia.

Written by : Nicolas Massines – Photos : Gianluca Napthalina Camporesi et l’auteur.

Moored alongside her berth in the harbour of Porto Cervo, on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, the Grand Soleil 80 Long Cruise reveals a powerful, fully open stern. Boarding is via one of the two telescopic gangways framing the generous tender garage. From the very first steps on board, one is immediately struck by a sense of purity in the lines and of boundless space. From the twin helm wheels to the bowsprit, the eye is caught by neither deck gear nor sheets. For good reason: the winches are positioned either at the foot of the mast or beside the helm stations, while the sheets are concealed beneath the deck and led aft. The gaze is naturally drawn upward to admire the long V-shaped carbon boom, designed to simplify lowering manoeuvres, as well as the three tiers of spreaders. The coachroof, low and elegantly elongated, gradually recedes to reveal a vast central cockpit furnished with two tables capable of adopting numerous configurations, whether for relaxation or dining.

A world of elegance and performance

The contrasts between the teak, the white hull and the black rigging – likewise fashioned in carbon fibre – immerse guests in an environment as aesthetically refined as it is performance-oriented. Indeed, the Grand Soleil 80 Long Cruise bears the “Plus” designation, the new range introduced by Grand Soleil Yachts to underscore the extensive degree of customisation offered to owners of yachts above sixty feet built by the yard. A broad companionway, thoughtfully angled, leads down into a luminous saloon of generous headroom. The lateral and central hull windows allow abundant natural light to flood the interior while offering uninterrupted views of both the surroundings and the mainsail. Nauta Design, responsible for both the exterior and interior styling of the yacht, has imbued the spaces with a distinctly Italian sense of elegance. Whether in the choice of pale, softly contoured furnishings, the finely crafted upholstery, or the arrangement of the dining table to starboard opposite a comfortable L-shaped settee, every detail speaks of coherence and intelligent use of space. Substantial leather-trimmed handrails set into the ceiling subtly reveal the Grand Soleil 80 LC’s ambitions for bluewater cruising. The same refined atmosphere prevails further forward of the mast bulkhead where, in the bow, the owner’s cabin features a forward-facing berth, a writing desk, deep wardrobes and a generously appointed bathroom. Both this suite and the twin cabin positioned slightly aft to port offer volumes and storage solutions that immediately evoke the prospect of long and comfortable voyages at sea. Retracing one’s steps beyond the saloon reveals a further double cabin, the captain’s quarters, and finally the spacious galley together with the chart table and crew accommodations. The latter benefit from a separate access hatch from the deck, facilitating discreet circulation for guests through the remaining entrances and preserving privacy on board.

A remarkably efficient hull-and-sail combination

Back on deck, the mooring lines are gradually cast off as the electric propulsion system is engaged. The 250-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine remains discreetly in reserve, giving way instead to an 80 kWh Torqeedo drive system. The fenders are neatly stowed in a locker as spacious as it is easily accessible, positioned between the twin helm stations. The granite rocks, sculpted by wind and salt into the almost organic forms so emblematic of the Costa Smeralda, slip astern as the yacht departs the harbour in deeply appreciable silence at a speed over ground of 8.5 knots. Once beyond the translucent waters and the channel markers, the fully battened mainsail is hoisted. The self-tacking jib is then unfurled to take advantage of a moderate northerly breeze of around ten knots. On a starboard tack, with the sails trimmed to precision via a small joystick mounted upon the helm consoles, the Grand Soleil 80 LC gradually settles into her stride. The jib brushes the deck while the fine bow slices effortlessly through a moderate chop. Hard on the wind, sailing at twenty-five degrees to the true wind, the heel becomes pronounced, yet the yacht advances with complete smoothness. The fluidity and responsiveness with which she accelerates through the gusts are remarkable for a vessel exceeding forty tonnes. At the helm, the sensations are sufficiently precise to appreciate the highly effective harmony between hull and sail plan. The helmsman’s position, firmly braced against retractable footrests, affords excellent visibility both of the surroundings and of the manoeuvring areas. A speed of 8.5 knots is displayed on the B&G repeater mounted at the foot of the mast, its figures rising and falling gently with the passing gusts.

Simplicity in the service of safety and seamanship

The guests, ten in number, together with a crew of three, are comfortably settled within the cockpit seating, enjoying a passage defined by both smoothness and precision. The Grand Soleil comes about while transmitting remarkably neutral sensations to the helmsman and within a notably tight turning radius. Now on a port tack, the yacht adopts a beam reach under moderate heel, allowing one fully to appreciate not only the fluid circulation upon deck, but also the serenity prevailing below, where neither creak nor impact disturbs the atmosphere, a revealing testament to the bluewater cruising qualities of this eighty-footer. The routing of the sheets and all sailing controls back to the helm stations, whether for the various furlers or even the telescopic keel, enables a reduced crew to handle the Grand Soleil 80 LC with remarkable ease, while preserving both space and safety for the remaining guests, who remain well clear of the manoeuvring areas. Tacks follow one another in a breeze gradually easing, while in the background the still snow-capped peaks of nearby Corsica, lingering even at the close of spring, inspire a desire to prolong indefinitely a sea trial proving thoroughly convincing. The Grand Soleil 80 Long Cruise succeeds in the delicate challenge of rendering an eighty-foot yacht unexpectedly approachable and reassuringly intuitive to handle. Added to this is a genuine coherence in life on board, placing the yacht as much within the realm of long-distance voyaging as that of refined luxury cruising.