Waiting to try it out live soon, the new Grand Soleil 46 LC, which will also be among the stars of the TAG Heuer VELAFestival, May 7-10 in Santa Margherita Ligure, has finally taken to the water.
It was designed by Marco Lostuzzi, who was responsible for the water lines and naval architecture. The desire was to achieve, while using streamlined lines, great habitability on deck and in the interior, which takes advantage of a series of modular rooms. All this on a model 14.74 meters long by 4.41 meters maximum beam.
THE ROLL CAGE IS A GREAT NOVELTY
Immediately noticeable is the presence of a roll bar designed to integrate the mainsail track and sheet. A novelty intended to clear the cockpit of an element of clutter and one that is sure to have fans discussing it. But the rollbar will also have another function, designed specifically for long sailing, even in challenging conditions, because it will allow the owner to mount different types of cockpit protection: either two models of sprayhood or even a windshield, a solution increasingly adopted in northern Europe. Interesting is the asymmetric cockpit design, which provides a good amount of seating, leaving the helmsman free to carry the boat on his own, having at hand (literally!) the winches to which maneuvers are deferred. The sail plan includes a 61.6-square-meter mainsail, coupled with a 106% overlap jib of 53 square meters. Upon request, you can also opt for a rollaranda in the mast or boom and a self-tacking jib.
The interiors, by Nauta Design, feature a large square where, next to the entrance ladder, there is an L-shaped kitchen (equipped with a separate sink) to the left and a bathroom with shower stall to starboard.
In the three-cabin layout (there is also a two-cabin version), we find two large cabins in the stern that denote all the search for solutions to optimize volumes at the design stage. The table is to the left, surrounded by a C-shaped sofa while to starboard the charting area is sandwiched between two comfortable seats. The spacious forward master cabin comes with a dedicated bathroom.
