Polli’s Italian firm specializes in optimizing racing boats for handicap rules. The Grand Soleil 44 was specified with ORC and IRC racing in mind, which explains its choice of keels, rigs, and deck layouts. Yet belowdecks, it remains thoroughly cruising-minded.
Design and Construction
The 44’s structure follows modern performance-cruiser practice rather than the stripped-out approach of a pure racer. The hull and deck are vacuum-infused with vinylester resin. The hull is solid glass below the waterline, with foam coring in the topsides and deck.
Grand Soleil bonds a composite grid to the hull to carry loads from the keel, engine, and keel-stepped mast. Beneath the cabin sole, beefy backing plates and double nuts secure all the stainless-steel keel bolts. A 2-inch toe rail surrounds the side decks, while hull ports and hatches admit plenty of daylight.
Polli modeled the hull with CFD software. The resulting waterlines reduce wetted surface, while the stern widens toward the deck to create space for crew and family.
Keels, Rig, and Deck Layouts
Owners can choose among four keel profiles to suit a handicap rule or cruising ground:
- A standard steel-and-lead torpedo keel with an 8-foot-6-inch draft
- A 6-foot-6-inch shoal-draft version
- A 7-foot-10-inch ORC-optimized foil
- A 9-foot-6-inch IRC-favored keel
The Performance version carries a tall, 72-foot aluminum Sparcraft racing mast, with a carbon-fiber rig available. The mast is set back to enlarge the J measurement for sail area. Two carbon-fiber bowsprits are offered: a standard 3-foot-2-inch sprit and a 5-foot-3-inch racing version. Coachroof tracks accommodate genoas of various sizes.
The two deck layouts further define the boat’s cruising and racing roles. The Performance setup has a self-tacking jib, a double-ended German-style mainsheet, and a pair of electric winches just forward of each helm. The Racing layout moves one winch at each helm forward to the coamings and adds two cabin-top winches.
In both cases, lines run aft beneath the coachroof, and a cockpit-wide traveler is recessed into the sole. The boat has a single rudder, twin helms, and Jefa steering.
Sailing and Handling
Writing as part of the Boat of the Year judging, Gerry Douglas described the helm as lovely, requiring only one finger on the wheel on every point of sail. In 12–16 knots, the Grand Soleil 44 logged 8.5 knots closehauled and 8.4 knots reaching. SOG hovered around 8.5 knots, with bumps above 9 knots in the puffs.
The reported helm feel and sailing speeds support the boat’s racing intent.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit remains wide well aft, reflecting the stern’s shape. Forward, the belowdecks jib furler sits ahead of the chain locker.
Nauta’s interior provides the amenities of a full-on cruising boat. The owner’s stateroom forward has its own head and shower compartment. Aft, two double staterooms share a head and shower to starboard at the foot of the companionway. These cabins can accommodate guests or racing crewmates.
Opposite the aft head, the L-shaped galley has a couple of fridges, space for supplies, and fiddled counters. The U-shaped dinette seats eight, and its table lowers to create an additional berth. Across the saloon, a settee can serve as another bunk, with the navigation station at its forward end. Light oak is standard, while teak is optional.
Engine and Motoring
The standard engine is a 50 hp Volvo Penta. The reviewed boat instead carried a 60 hp Volvo Penta diesel with saildrive. It reached 8.7 knots at 2,800 rpm and cruised at 7 knots at 2,000 rpm. A 75 hp Volvo Penta D2-75 is also listed for the Performance version.
Known Issues
Two details related to deck handling drew comment in the review. The furler drum will be hard to reach if there’s a problem because the locker opening is tight. The bobstay supporting the bowsprit also tends to get in the way when anchoring.
The Verdict
The Grand Soleil 44 has a genuine dual personality. Its CFD-developed hull, ORC and IRC focus, multiple keels, rig choices, and alternative deck layouts suit serious racing ambitions. At the same time, it offers a bright, three-cabin Nauta interior with berths for eight and the amenities expected of a cruising boat.
Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman called it a very well-built boat. The reported light, precise helm reinforces its racing intent without requiring the owner to give up a practical cruising layout.
Pros
- Configurable as a cruiser or racer, with an ORC and IRC focus
- Vacuum-infused vinylester hull, composite load grid, and robust keel-bolt backing
- Four keel drafts, two carbon-fiber bowsprits, and a tall Sparcraft mast
- Bright, three-cabin Nauta interior with an eight-seat dinette and drop-down berth
- Light, precise twin-helm steering noted during judging
Cons
- Tight locker opening makes the furler drum hard to reach for service
- Bowsprit bobstay interferes with anchoring
- Standard 50 hp engine is modest beside the available 60–75 hp installations
