VIDEO TEST Grand Soleil 72 (22 m), it is a pleasure to sail like this

At a time when part of the sailing industry is preoccupied with producing boats with increasingly XXL volumes, some almost “Monomarans,” pursuing the concept of the “villa boat by the sea,” there are instead those who focus on designing and building boats such as the Grand Soleil 72, which are yes comfortable, but which sail excellently. Cantiere del Pardo with the new Grand Soleil 72 Performance has proven this vision, and the confirmation that this is a sailboat that can give satisfaction in sailing we got by going to try the newborn in the waters of La Spezia.

Grand Soleil 72 – The VIDEO

Grand Soleil 72 – Cha boat is

Mind you, let’s make a clarification right away: the Grand Soleil 72 Performance is not a racing boat but a pure cruiser: just look at its 6.20-meter maximum beam to understand this, but it makes sporty performance one of its strong points. And it could not be otherwise, given the names behind the concept and design of this boat.

The Leopard Yard in fact included in his team, entrusting him with the development of the mini maxi and maxi segments of the shipyard, Franco Corazza. This is one of the most experienced sailing managers there is in Italy: first a top professional racer, then a boat salesman with X-Yachts and founder of the Italia Yachts shipyard, now on the Pardo team. Corazza was the project manager of the Grand Soleil 72, whose water lines were entrusted to Matteo Polli, wizard of fast hulls. And if that were not enough, as a guarantee of style and harmonious lines, the design team also includes Nauta Design that projected the interior and deck lines.

“The idea for the new model took shape during a meeting with Franco Corazza, the heart of this project, at the 2020 Genoa Boat Show,” said Massimo Gino of Nauta. “We were looking together from the dock at the new GS44′ Performance, made by us with the naval architecture of Matteo Polli, and the idea began to materialize of creating on this type of sporty, streamlined hulls a boat that was beautiful, fast, capable of excellent performance and at the same time comfortable and elegant, a boat that was all Italian and that exuded in every detail the luxury that distinguishes Italian design.”

One boat, two versions

The model we tested in the waters of La Spezia is the Performance version, but the 72 will also be available in the Long Cruise version. How do they differ? The hull is identical, what changes is the deckhouse, deck saloon style in the LC version.

Unchanged is the maneuvering layout and the possibilities for customizing the sail plan and for the different available draft options. In both versions the construction does not change, with the skeleton of the boat, spars and longitudinal, made of polyester-based vinylester composite. Carbon reinforcements are used where there are greatest stresses and strains, between the mast and keel. The standard draft is 3.70 meters, also available is the 3.20 and optional retractable keel from 2.70 to 4.40 meters. To top it off, there is also a Race option with 4.20 meters of draft.

Mauro Giuffrè

THE FULL TEST OF THE GRAND SOLEIL 72 PERFORMANCE IN THE MAY ISSUE OF THE SAILING MAGAZINE SOON ON NEWSSTANDS

Specifications

Length. f.t: 23.75 m

Length. hull: 22 m

Maximum Beam: 6.20 m

Fishing: 3.70 m

Displacement. empty: XXX kg

Sup. vel. Upwind: 372 sq. m.

Engine: 150 hp

Water tank: 1000 l

Fuel: 1000 l

www.grandsoleil.net