Maletto’s lines marked a departure from the work of Spanish design house Botín & Carkeek, which had set the marque’s recent standard. The result is a 40-foot monohull that looks noticeably more voluminous than its predecessors: higher and beamier for its length, with a brawnier stern and an open cockpit with twin wheels.
Design and Construction
The 39 has conspicuously high freeboard, visually offset by enlarged cabin-top portlights. These run across an angular, stepped coachroof with long, narrow openings. Below the waterline, the flat-bottomed hull is paired with high-aspect-ratio appendages, a combination testers credited with giving the boat its sporty character.
Cantiere del Pardo also moved away from the steel-grid construction used in earlier models. The hand-laid hull laminate uses vinylester resin, while carbon-fibre reinforcements in the densely structured GRP floor section provide stiffness in place of an internal steel frame. Rig loads pass directly to a T-keel comprising a cast-iron fin and lead bulb, with a draught of 2.4 metres. The two-spreader Sparcraft rig has shrouds anchored directly to the hull sides.
Rig, Deck Layout, and Handling
The mast sits farther aft than on the outgoing models, increasing the J-measure. Although the shroud position limits the jib to 106 per cent overlap, it still carries useful area. A code zero or flatter code one is recommended to provide a broad range when furling. Spinnaker and gennaker options were also offered, along with a removable racing bowsprit that clips into a recess in the bow. The cruising version substitutes a chain guide forward.
Deck clutter is kept to a minimum. Running rigging disappears into hidden channels and recesses, jib-sheet traveler rails sit beneath the deck, and the mainsheet runs under the cockpit sole directly to the coaming winches. Racers could specify an optional German Admiral’s Cup system.
On the water, the 39 accelerates surprisingly quickly. The well-balanced rudder makes her easy to steer safely under pressure, while the deep rudder also helps with maneuvering in port. Writing in boats.com, test sailors noted the boat’s quick, dynamic responses, rapid acceleration, and well-balanced rudder.
In 14 knots of true wind, the boat is credited with 6.9 knots while close-reaching at 40 degrees. Her IRC and ORC ratings are 1.058 and 602.8 respectively.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The twin-wheel cockpit is cleanly arranged, though not every working position is equally comfortable. The helmsman’s footrests unfold to provide good support, but testers found the mainsheet trimmer’s station ahead of the wheels confined.
Below, the yard favors white surfaces and painted composites. Mahogany veneers are standard, with light oak or teak available as options. The boat was offered in two- or three-cabin layouts, with one or two heads. Each arrangement includes an owner’s cabin, an optional forward head, and two aft cabins. Another variant substitutes a large lazarette, reached from the lower accommodation, and adds a shower stall inside the lavatory. For further flexibility, the dividing wall between the aft cabins may be offset from the centerline.
The L-shaped pantry and forward-facing navigation station sit opposite a large folding saloon table. The galley includes twin fridges and a twin sink. Testers praised the precise, solid joinery.
Machinery and Equipment
Auxiliary power comes from a Volvo Penta diesel, offered in 29 hp or 40 hp versions. It was reported to push the boat home steadily in chop. Tankage comprises 185 litres of diesel and 320 litres of water.
Standard equipment includes a light teak deck with grey joints, folding cleats, and a concealed bow-anchor locker. A 169-square-metre gennaker is the principal downwind option.
Known Issues and Ownership
The only criticism raised in period testing concerned the storage hatches. The hardware and hinges fitted to closets and hatch doors appeared too small and fragile for the loads expected in service. Buyers and owners should regard these fittings as the weak point in an otherwise tightly built interior.
The carbon-reinforced floor and chainplates attached directly to the hull simplify later structural inspection compared with the grid-framed construction of the boat’s predecessors.
The Verdict
The Grand Soleil 39 is a deliberately modern cruiser-racer. Maletto’s high-freeboard, beamy hull provides interior volume and stiff performance without using a steel grid. Hidden rigging and twin wheels contribute to a clean deck layout, while the hull and rudder give the boat responsive handling in harbor and offshore.
She best suits an owner prepared to upgrade the small interior hinges and use a code zero in light conditions.
Pros
- Flat-bottomed hull and high-aspect-ratio appendages provide lively, quick handling
- Carbon-fibre-reinforced floor and hull-side chainplates replace the older steel grid
- Hidden running rigging and under-deck jib tracks keep the deck clear
- Flexible two- or three-cabin layouts, with the option of an offset aft divider
Cons
- Storage-hatch hardware and hinges appear undersized and fragile
- The mainsheet trimmer’s position ahead of the wheels is confined
- The high freeboard relies on enlarged portlights for visual balance
