Grand Soleil 58 (Felci) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Grand Soleil 58 debuted in 2016, marking its position as a flagship model in Grand Soleil's Performance line at the time. The yacht is a testament to a strong collaborative synergy between Cantiere del Pardo, the renowned Italian builder, and its chosen design partners. Felci Yacht Design, known for its expertise in creating high-performance hulls, was entrusted with the naval architecture, aiming to deliver a vessel with exceptional sailing characteristics. Complementing this, Nauta Design, celebrated for its elegant and functional solutions, shaped the deck and interior, ensuring that the vessel's aesthetics and liveability matched its performance pedigree. This collaboration underscores Grand Soleil's overarching philosophy of fusing performance, elegant design, and exceptional craftsmanship, characteristic of their "luxury performance sailing & cruising yachts."

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Grand Soleil 58 is engineered for an engaging and capable sailing experience, a hallmark of Felci's design philosophy. With a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 27.24, she possesses a powerful sail plan relative to her weight, indicating strong performance potential, particularly in lighter wind conditions. Her displacement to length ratio (D/L) of around 140.23 classifies her as a relatively light and performance-oriented yacht for her size, promising responsiveness and agility. The ballast to displacement ratio (B/D) is approximately 0.32, which, combined with her deep 9.51-foot bulb keel, contributes to good stability and stiffness, allowing her to stand up well to a breeze.

Anecdotal reviews consistently praise the Grand Soleil 58 for its "top-notch sailing qualities" and "great handling characteristics at sea." Described as a "fast and competitive cruiser," she is designed to perform well across various points of sail, offering a balanced and enjoyable helm. Her hull design maximizes sailing length while maintaining handling characteristics typically associated with much larger yachts.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Grand Soleil 58, crafted by Nauta Design, prioritizes comfort, style, and customization. The design guidelines for the GS58 were specifically set to offer a boat that could be tailored in both saloon and cabin layouts, as well as in the choice of materials. Reviews highlight stunning, crisp superyacht-style interiors with sumptuous accommodation.

A key feature is the owner's cabin, which boasts generous headroom, reportedly over two meters (approximately 6.5 feet). The interior typically features a well-appointed galley with Corian worktops, ample refrigeration, and provisions for integrated appliances like a dishwasher. The layout is flexible, often including an owner's suite forward of the dinette, and options for guest cabins. For instance, a VIP cabin's bathroom can be configured as a day-head or even replaced to create a fourth cabin, demonstrating the yacht's adaptability to owner needs. Overall, the interior is finished to a high standard, aligning with Grand Soleil's reputation for uncompromised quality and elegant Italian design.