Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass with a solid fiberglass deck, and the structure keeps open areas aft to minimise weight in the ends of the boat — a deliberate move that lets a 41,667-pound displacement feel less sluggish than the number suggests. A choice of three keels lets the owner tailor the 58 for different styles of sailing and for the draught restrictions some sailing areas impose, rather than forcing a single compromise. The wedge-shaped cabin house and clear decks give the boat a sleek, thoroughly European profile, and the 36.96 ballast-to-displacement ratio on a 9.51-foot standard draught signals a stiff platform built to carry sail.
Rig and Handling
All lines are led aft, including halyards, genoa or self-tacking headsail sheets, and furling code 0 controls, so a short-handed crew can work the boat from the cockpit. A recessed electric mainsheet traveller keeps the deck clean and gives the trimmer excellent control of sail shape, and the rig options include a self-tacking jib for easier upwind work. Retractable bow and stern thrusters ease in-harbour manoeuvres, while the open, huge cockpit is arranged so the forward bench seats sit at the same height as the side deck, cutting the number of levels to clamber over. Coamings help provide protection from solid water that finds its way on deck, and a spray hood drops away beneath fiberglass mouldings as neatly as a high-end soft-top car. The trade-off is that some may feel somewhat exposed with the boat heeled and little to brace against in the open cockpit.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon has a great feeling of space with ample natural light, and the interior is offered in light oak or teak with quality solid cappings and deep fiddles that hint at a boat meant for serious use at sea. The two after quarter cabins are impressively spacious with full headroom throughout, and the starboard one uses twin berths that convert to a giant double with an infill. The owner's suite sits right forward in impressive dimensions, with a choice of a central peninsula berth or a bed placed to one side. A fourth cabin can replace the third heads, and an optional crew cabin in the bow has its own deck-access hatch and heads. The galley carries Corian worktops, extensive refrigeration, and provision for a built-in dishwasher. The accommodation is configured to give more space and comfort to a smaller number of people rather than a party of ten or twelve, and the minimalist interior can be fitted out in an array of woods and layouts.
Equipment and Options
The 58 is supplied to a generally high standard of inventory. Beyond the thrusters and rig refinements, options include electric retractable gangways aimed at stern-to Mediterranean berthing, an optional tender garage for a small jet-powered RIB, and an optional crew cabin. The cockpit's open arrangement clearly works well when racing with lots of crew on board, and the boat carries the potential to be used in a race mode for inshore races or classic offshore events.
The Verdict
The Grand Soleil 58 is a flagship performance cruiser that pairs a long-waterline hull with genuine offshore accommodation and a deck layout built for both short-handed control and full-crew racing. The open cockpit and minimalist interior are honest about the boat's priorities: comfort for a few, not a charter crowd, with the build substance to back the style.
Pros
- Long 51-foot waterline delivers volume and sailing length without sacrificing handling
- All lines led aft with recessed mainsheet traveller for clean, controllable deck
- Spacious quarter cabins and forward owner's suite with flexible berth layouts
- Three keel options adapt the boat to draught limits and sailing style
Cons
- Open cockpit leaves crew feeling exposed and with little to brace when heeled
- Accommodation sized for a small group, not larger charter-style parties
