Grand Soleil 40, Never Change a Winning Team

The new Grand Soleil 40 aims to replicate the great success of the GS 44, winner of the last ORC World Championship. Grand Soleil 40 will make the World debut during the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022.

The new Grand Soleil 40, available in the double Performance and Race versions, once again bears the signature of Matteo Polli and Nauta Design, already responsible for the exterior and interior design of the previous Grand Soleil models. The lines of the hull and the naval architecture of the Grand Soleil 40 maintain the strong vocation for performance, but without sacrificing volumes to the advantage of space and comfort on board.

The result of a synergy between Nauta Design (interior & exterior design) and the Shipyard’s Technical Office, which bring a boat with clean and functional layouts into the water in the internal and external areas.

“The design brief for the new Grand Soleil 40 was very similar to that of the GS 44, but with the request to further raise the bar, given the smaller size”, explains Matteo Polli. “The overall length of 40 feet, one of the most common on the market, presents a great challenge in finding a compromise between internal volumes and sporting characteristics. Thanks to the experience gained on the 44 and a well-established team of designers, it was possible to find the perfect combination of performance and comfort. The hull lines are an evolution of the concepts studied for the GS 44, giving maximum attention to the balance of volume as the heel increases. The bow profile remains very fine to maintain good performance in light airs and ensure a smooth passage through the waves. As on the GS 44, great importance was placed on the aft positioning of the shaft, enabling Nauta Design to develop an innovative layout and obtaining a benefit on both performance and comfort. It was also chosen to keep a centreboard with a single rudder blade in a very advanced position, a solution that I believe is ideal for both cruising and racing.”

Grand Soleil 40, the deck

The deck plan of the Grand Soleil 40 Performance version features 4 winches as standard: two in the deckhouse and two next to the wheelhouses. The standard self-tacking jib is equipped with a recessed track, while the German-style mainsheet is fixed in the cockpit. Note the position of the mast which, as on the GS 44, has a rearward arrangement to allow you to maximize the “J” and therefore the base of the bow sails. Also available in carbon in the Race version, together with a sail plan of increased proportions compared to the standard version.

“We have found the right proportions to have a large and functional deck for both racing and cruising” – explains Massimo Gino of Nauta Design – “where all the lines and deck gear have been studied with the naval architect Matteo Polli and Cantiere del Pardo to find ergonomic positions and solutions, practical and functional for both uses. In light and sleek hull, we were able to include all the necessary functions on a 40 foot boat that also offers comfort and functionality in the interior. From the cabin to the owner’s heads, from the galley to the dinette, the volumes, stowage, and all functions are precise and well balanced. The rich and classic style is the one that has been well tested and appreciated aboard all Grand Soleil’s”.

Grand Soleil 40, the interiors

Below deck, the GS 40 offers two options: in the standard version, there are three cabins and a bathroom to offer more spacious wardrobes and a greater walkway area in the owner’s cabin, while the optional layout includes three cabins and two bathrooms.

GS 40 specs