Hull Form and Construction
The reverse-raked bow immediately stands out, paired with a sheer that runs almost dead straight. A chine begins high on the topsides at the transom and continues in an almost straight line to the stem knuckle. Above it, the topsides are cut off in a straight line at the transom, a design choice intended to maximize sailing length and stability.
With 11 feet 10 inches of beam on a 35-foot-1-inch hull, the Grand Soleil 34 has a length-to-beam ratio of 2.88 and is very beamy for its length. Its displacement-length ratio of 178 keeps the 10,803-pound hull light for its size. That wide stern also drives a practical choice: twin rudders help keep at least one rudder in the water at high heel angles.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The fractional sloop rig has proportions similar to those of the X94—roughly a nine-tenths rig with double spreaders—and the sailplan shares the same svelte profile. A sail area-displacement ratio of 25.05 gives the boat real muscle in light air, while its svelte sailplan follows the same general vein as the X94. Its 764 square feet of sail area is handled from a large cockpit, with the mainsheet traveler mounted aft of the rudder head.
There are no sheeting provisions for overlapping genoas, so the sailplan is built around non-overlapping headsails. A 28-inch bowsprit provides the tack point for the chute. The 30-hp auxiliary moves a hull drawing 7 feet 2 inches—another clear sign that the Grand Soleil 34 leans toward the performance side of the racer-cruiser equation.
Accommodations
The large cockpit comes at the expense of usable volume below. The companionway is set remarkably far forward. From there, the layout includes V-berths in the bow, followed by a head to starboard with a large cockpit locker aft of it.
The galley and navigation station face each other to port and starboard, and the compromise is clear: the nav station is generous while the galley is undersized. A double quarterberth to port provides a large sleeping space, but access is so constricted that one reviewer openly doubted being able to climb into it comfortably.
Verdict
The Grand Soleil 34 is a modern interpretation of a storied name, intended for sailors who value pace and a purposeful deck plan more than generous accommodations. It combines a beamy, light hull with twin rudders, a high sail area-displacement ratio, and a cockpit arranged for serious sailing. The compromise below is real, however, and the galley is particularly tight.
Pros
- Performance-first racer-cruiser with an SA/D of 25.05 for light-air drive
- Beamy hull with twin rudders to maintain control at high heel angles
- Forward companionway and generous navigation station
- Large cockpit with the traveler aft of the rudder head for clean mainsheet control
Cons
- Large cockpit reduces usable interior volume
- Undersized galley opposite the generous navigation station
- Constricted access to the port double quarterberth
- No sheeting provisions for overlapping genoas
