Frers Grand Soleil 52 Sailboats for Sale

Hull Type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

53.48' · 16.3 m

Disp.

41,590 lbs · 18,865 kg

First year

1987

In the late 1980s, the European yachting scene was dominated by premium, heavydisplacement cruisers that prioritized safety and luxury, often at the expense of pure sailing joy. Seeking to challenge this paradigm, the Italian shipyard Cantiere del Pardo commissioned the legendary Argentine naval architect Germán Frers to design a yacht that would marry performance with Italian sophistication. Launched in 1987 and remaining in production until 1991, the Grand Soleil 52 emerged as a masterpiece of this collaboration. Often referred to by contemporary sailors as the "Italian Swan," it offered a sleeker, faster alternative to the standard offshore cruisers of its day while retaining an uncompromising standard of oceangoing construction. With only around sixty hulls built, the Grand Soleil 52 has secured a legendary status among bluewater cruisers, recognized today as much for its classic lines and robust build as for its inclusion in historic international ocean races.