Design and Construction
The 46 LC is a substantial vessel at 48 feet 4 inches overall, with a 12,000 kg lightship displacement and 4,200 kg of ballast in an L-shaped keel rather than the T-keel used on the performance range anchor. She carries more beam aft than the Grand Soleil 47 and sits nearly 15 cm higher than the 47 thanks to higher freeboard, yet she is only one tonne heavier than that sister model. Structurally she inherits the stiff performance-model architecture: a carbon-reinforced internal grid and vacuum-infused hull and deck, with the mast stepped on deck to eliminate any chance of cabin leaks while cruising. Visually she is unapologetically modern, with straight angular lines, big tinted hull portlights, and a bold European flair.
Rig and Handling
All control lines, sheets, and halyards run aft through under-deck conduits to twin helms, keeping the cockpit uncluttered and sailable from under cover provided by high bench coamings and a rollbar-style arch that also supports a full bimini and clears the boom from crew heads. A standard self-tacking Solent jib and a forward reaching sail on a bowsprit roller can both be worked from the wheels, and a German mainsheet leads back to a bank of clutches that frees the two reachable winches for routine handling—though test boats often added four winches for offwind ease. Yachting World's testers found the standard jib lets her point high and tack sharply, and the boat sails easily short-handed; the helm is neutral with little feedback, stable enough to leave unattended without fear of a round-up. Under white sails she felt sluggish in single-figure breeze, yet in double figures clocked 6 to 6.5 knots, and a Code 0 from the bowsprit transformed light airs from six knots true upward with heel and speed, peaking near 8.5 knots close-reaching.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon sole is slightly raised to ease the companionway descent, offset to enlarge a one-step-lower galley with an inboard island sink that braces the cook at heel and centerline double sinks that drain on both tacks. The L-shaped galley offers soft-closing drawers, deep lockers, and high fiddles. A convertible saloon table drops to a full berth, and the chart table lowers to a sofa berth with a hull-port view but no backrest or privacy. Three cabins each have hull portlights: a forward master with centerline double, large wardrobe, and separate-shower ensuite, plus two aft quarter cabins—the starboard with direct heads access and a convertible twin—where dropped cockpit lockers gained headroom for head-aft sleeping. The second head doubles as a wet locker, and joiner work is natural oak with optional teak.
Cockpit and Deck Life
The huge cockpit pairs aft-facing loungers and a fold-down hydraulic swim platform with a shower aft, while the foredeck nests a double sunbed. The forepeak holds a single hatch dividing a storage locker from a large chain locker and below-deck windlass. Teak decks are optional, and the overall layout favors couples and families wanting a finely finished yacht that sails better than most.
Known Issues
Testers noted the stowage recesses built into the aft cockpit benches fall short for the volume of rope tails worked under sail, the doorways are surprisingly narrow despite the open interior, and the neutral helm prompted speculation the mast may sit slightly far forward with the arch pushing the boom high. The chart-table berth lacks backrest and segregation for anything beyond short use.
Refits and Ownership
General manager Fabio Planamente has discussed with Lostuzzi a possible boom lengthening to add sail area and rudder pressure, signaling factory awareness of light-air urge. Owners can specify an extra 300 liters beyond the standard 900-liter tank volume and add a watermaker to fulfill the Long Cruise brief. The 75 hp shaft-drive engine and 6-to-9 berth layout round out a platform built for sunny-clime voyaging.
The Verdict
The Grand Soleil 46 LC succeeds as a modern Long Cruise yacht that trades some racer edge for genuine livability without losing short-handed tractability. She is ideally sized for Mediterranean and warm-latitude cruising, with a protected cockpit, clever stowage, and a stiff composite structure. Narrow doorways and small rope bins are minor ergonomic foibles against an otherwise thoughtful package.
Pros
- Carbon-reinforced vacuum-infused structure with deck-stepped mast for leak-free cruising
- Uncluttered twin-helm cockpit sailable short-handed from covered wheels
- Light, open three-cabin interior with smart galley and convertible berths
- Self-tacking jib and Code 0 combination suited to Mediterranean light airs
Cons
- Sluggish under white sails in single-figure breeze
- Cockpit rope bins too small for sail-day tail volumes
- Narrow doorways and privacy-lacking chart berth
