This was one of the most waited yachts and although I would have preferred a slightly more audacious bow, the yacht design leaves little to be desired and looks even better than on the drawings. To be noted the mast position that is more aft than usually to allow for larger front sails, namely a bigger self-tacking jib on the cruising version.
The designer, that you can see on one of the videos, Matteo Polli, one of the best in what concerns ORC, says that the GS 44 can be used for racing or for cruising and that seems pretty obvious looking at the boat. The GS44 comes in two versions, performance cruising or racing but contrary to the 48 cannot be built all in carbon.
The good thing is that the components of the several versions are interchangeable and without custom costs you can order your own boat from a huge variety of options using parts from the two basic versions.
The one presented in Genoa boat show is the racing version with carbon spars, 6 winches, traveller for the main, lateral travellers for the jib or small genoa and top quality running rigging.
On this version, the Yacht has a reduced number of cabinets on the saloon but even so the interior quality stands out and the interior looks bright and cosy looking even better than the one of the GS48.
This is a true 44ft boat (hull length) and a 49ft LOA with the big bowsprit (they have a smaller one) and 4.26m beam. The big standard draft (2.60m) and the very efficient torpedo keel explain why the yacht only needs a 30%B/D. With that keel it displaces 9000kg. The keel has three other options, 2.00m, 2.40m and another one with 3.00m.
I don't understand why, contrary to what happens with the 48, they chose not to offer a carbon version.
It looks a great yacht and the possibility of having a huge number of interchangeable options makes it a boat suitable for many sailors, for racing, for racing and cruising or just for cruising.
319 000 euros is the standard price at the shipyard. A well-equipped boat, including a good discount (if you can manage it), will be about 400 000 euros plus VAT, if it is the case. A good price if we compare it with the competition.
It carries over the styling cues of the new GS34 which is a great thing, although a bit more conventional here. If they manged to do that with the rest of their cruising line it would be a perfect match.
Yes, in what regards the cockpit and cabin but not in what regards de hull that has much more to do with the Italia 11.98, also designed by Matteo Polli, following the line of ORC racers.
The GS 34 follows de line of small solo or duo crewed ocean racers.
Are you sure there will be a carbon hull version? All brochures so far mention 2 versions without carbon hull : Performance with aluminium mast and race with carbon rig plus 2 extra winches (6 total). 3 Drafts : standard 2.6mt optional 2.40 and shallow 2.0mt.
I will ask them to be sure. Because the GS48R can have a carbon hull I thought that the same happens with the GS44R.
About the GS 48R: "The main characteristic of the Grand Soleil 48 is that the owner can choose among different kinds of construction: the infusion of the Race version can be done either in epoxy resin and fiberglass or in epoxy resin and carbon with four composite bulkheads."
It carries over the styling cues of the new GS34 which is a great thing, although a bit more conventional here. If they manged to do that with the rest of their cruising line it would be a perfect match.
ReplyDeleteYes, in what regards the cockpit and cabin but not in what regards de hull that has much more to do with the Italia 11.98, also designed by Matteo Polli, following the line of ORC racers.
DeleteThe GS 34 follows de line of small solo or duo crewed ocean racers.
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https://www.giornaledellavela.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Schermata-2019-03-08-alle-09.17.47.png
Are you sure there will be a carbon hull version? All brochures so far mention 2 versions without carbon hull : Performance with aluminium mast and race with carbon rig plus 2 extra winches (6 total). 3 Drafts : standard 2.6mt optional 2.40 and shallow 2.0mt.
ReplyDeleteI will ask them to be sure. Because the GS48R can have a carbon hull I thought that the same happens with the GS44R.
DeleteAbout the GS 48R: "The main characteristic of the Grand Soleil 48 is that the owner can choose among different kinds of construction: the infusion of the Race version can be done either in epoxy resin and fiberglass or in epoxy resin and carbon with four composite bulkheads."
I checked with Grand Soleil and no carbon hull for this one. Kind of odd since they offer it for the 48. I will modify the post.
DeleteVery informative excellent sharing.
ReplyDelete