Frers Grand Soleil 52 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Frers Grand Soleil 52 means looking at a Cantiere del Pardo performance cruiser built between 1987 and 1991, a 53-foot masthead sloop that period reviewers likened to a Swan 53 in both appearance and finish. The "spaghetti swan" nickname captures the appeal: a Frers-designed, Italian-built yacht that tracks a celebrated Finnish benchmark at a different price tier, with solid fiberglass construction and a lead-ballasted fin keel.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Grand Soleil 52 carries a 16.30-meter overall length and 4.75-meter beam, with a 13.89-meter waterline that gives the interior real volume for a performance-oriented hull. The period record highlights the interior cabinetry as a standout feature of these yachts in their build years, which matters on the used market because a well-kept original interior will still read as high quality today. The masthead-sloop rig and 141.77 square meters of sail area define the deck layout, and the spade rudder with 9.83-foot draft describes a yacht meant to sail as designed rather than loaf.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The Grand Soleil 52 came from the factory with a 95-horsepower Volvo Penta diesel on a single-engine layout, backed by 92 gallons of diesel and 238 gallons of water — figures that frame the boat's passage-making intent. A buyer should focus less on cosmetic add-ons and more on energy and systems: the original engine and tankage, plus any added generator or watermaker, are the consequential items. Canvas and sail-handling upgrades, navigation electronics, and comfort systems such as interior climate or galley additions are the clusters that separate a lightly equipped example from a ready-to-cruise one, but the available sources do not itemize specific fitted gear beyond the base mechanicals.
What to Inspect
A survey should confirm the solid fiberglass hull and deck condition, the lead ballast integrity in the fin keel, and the original interior cabinetry condition that the period review praised anchor. The 1987–1991 build window means age-related rig and engine service are the practical inspection priorities rather than any known design flaw.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Availability should be assessed through normal brokerage channels. For the buyer, the checklist is straightforward: verify the 1987–1991 build year, confirm the Frers design and Cantiere del Pardo construction, inspect the solid fiberglass and lead-ballasted fin keel, and judge the original interior cabinetry as the defining quality marker. The Grand Soleil 52 rewards the shopper who values Swan-like Frers lines without needing the Swan name.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Frers Grand Soleil 52. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26 | 1 | $173,502 | — |
Where they're listed
Frers Grand Soleil 52 listings appear across 1 country. Italy has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $173,502 | 1 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
8 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Soleil 52 LC | 55.94' | $ 782,000 | 22 | 4 |
| Tayana 52 | 52.42' | $ 146,824 | 18 | 7 |
| Cheoy Lee 52 | 51.5' | $ 296,545 | 16 | 5 |
| Nauticat 52 | 51.16' | $ 291,673 | 16 | 4 |
| Grand Soleil 50 (1992) | 50' | $ 289,421 | 12 | 4 |
| Baltic 52 | 52.49' | $ 375,000 | 12 | 6 |
| Beneteau Oceanis 52 | 51.67' | $ 641,052 | 6 | 1 |
| Grand Soleil Grand Soleil 52You are here | — | $ 173,502 | 1 | 1 |