Two Grand Soleil 72 are better than one: here’s why

The two new Grand Soleil 72 Performance and LC (Long Cruise) are coming. The first will be premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 7-12. Here we unveil what these new Grand Soleils will look like, over 23 metres overall by 6.20 metres maximum beam, launching the premium Made in Italy shipyard into a new dimension, that of superyachts.

Grand Soleil 72: Performance or LC?

To understand how the Grand Soleil 72, in its two GS 72 Performance GS 72 LC (Long Cruise) versions, is being created, we were guided by an outstanding speaker, project manager Franco Corazza, who is the daddy of the ‘superyacht’ project together with the yard’s team.

Grand Soleil 72, why a two-version boat

“The same hull, available in two versions. One to satisfy those who want a real sporty design (Performance), and the other version for those who love sailing with a Blue Water Cruiser,” says Franco Corazza, who continues: “But the hull and construction are always the same.

In both versions, a boat of the highest build quality, with the skeleton of the boat, spars and longitudinal members, all in polyester-based vinylester composite with ample use of carbon reinforcements where it is really needed to make the structure more rigid and solid, i.e. where there are greater stresses and strains.

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The interiors are made of composite or lightened wood. The result is a sturdy and lightweight boat, at the top level of world production. To give an example, the boat, including reinforcements and bulkheads has managed 100 kg less than expected. The unladen displacement of the Performance version is 31,000 kg, at the lowest limit in its category. And the LC version weighs only 500 kg more”.

All the secrets and record numbers of the GS 72

Franco Corazza is an expert in boat design, having won national, European and world championships with his boats during his career. He is keen to explain the concept of the Grand Soleil 72.

He talks about it as if it were a supermodel getting ready for a fashion show: “A boat with little wetted surface area and shapes that extend the dynamic length, goblet shapes that are narrow at the waterline and wide on deck. In other words, a fast boat with lots of volume inside.

But there is more to the GS 72’s pluses, continues Mr. Corazza: “a boat with a single rudder blade with a deep draft (3.20 m) for better control in all wind and heel conditions. Great attention was paid to the compromise between draught and performance. The standard draft is 3.70 metres, which in the shallow draft version is reduced to 3.20 and with the optional lifting keel even to 2.70 to 4.40 metres. Last but not least, there is also the Race option with a draft of 4.20 metres.

All-Italian with a dream team behind

Behind the birth of Grand Soleil’s new 72-foot ‘superyacht’ is an all-Italian dream team. Matteo Polli on the water lines, Marco Lostuzzi on the structures, Nauta Design on the design and layout of the deckhouse and interiors. The conductors are Franco Corazza with Gigi Servidati, chairman of the Pardo boatyard, builder of the Grand Soleil yachts. They are all important names, leaders respectively in their fields.

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The GS 72 LC and Performance in comparison

We have said that the hull of the Grand Soleil 72 is one and the same for both versions. The real difference lies in the deckhouse, the cockpit and the interior dinette. The LC version has a slightly more pronounced deckhouse that allows for a raised saloon inside with a direct view of the sea. The trick is also on the inside where, compared to the Performance version, the GS 72 LC’s floorboard is only 30 centimetres higher.

Also inside, the Performance version is all on one level, while the LC has two small steps leading up to the raised dinette.

The cockpit of the LC version is more protected, raised by 15 cm, for long, dry and comfortable sailing. The Performance’s is more open.

Still on the subject of interiors, the LC version can have a layout quite similar to that of the Performance, which has the galley towards the bow, or you can opt for a more classic layout with the galley in the aft area.

Yachting tradition meets modernity

Mr. Corazza is keen to end our chat with an important detail: “Our intention is to create, with the new Grand Soleil 72 and the subsequent 65 and 80 to come, a process of modernizing the yachting tradition. We take the best of solutions and design and make them contemporary, timeless. It’s enough to see that deckhouse, only 27 centimetres high, which makes the profile look like a flush deck boat, a throwback to the past, to understand the work we wanted to do.“

Grand Soleil 72 LC and Performance – Technical Specs

LOA 23.75 m

LWL 19.84 m

LH 22.00 m

Max Beam 6.20 m

Standard Draft 3.70 m

Sail Plan 310 m2

Engine 150 hp

Fuel Capacity 1000 l

Water Capacity 1000 l

Cabins 4 with 4 heads

https://www.grandsoleil.net/it/model/gs-72/