Design and Construction
Peterson's powerful hull form uses a slightly winged keel and a beamy transom that provides additional stability downwind, a shape that trades a little upwind bite for composure when reaching or running anchor. The 14'1" beam and 40'3" waterline give the hull volume and reserve stability without pushing into superyacht width. Cantiere del Pardo built the boat in Italy as part of its established Grand Soleil range, and the 1992 model sits early in a production run of thirty hulls. The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, with the winged keel and transom geometry doing the structural and dynamic work rather than any exotic core.
Rig and Handling
The standard masthead rig carries an I of 61'8" and 1,099 square feet of sail area; the optional tall rig extends to 65'3" and 1,165 square feet anchor. A Sparcraft mast carries the main halyard with an additional stopper, a small detail that eases short-handed hoists. The Solimar steering system gives fingertip control and a light touch at the wheel, and the T-shaped aft cockpit with contoured benches keeps the crew seated and secure through maneuvers. One handling caveat belongs to the tall rig: test sailors found that lee runners are required in winds over 20 knots with that configuration, a constraint any owner planning breezy passages should plan rigging for anchor.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon is an eloquent symphony of flowing curves and meticulously finished cherry wood combined with a white vinyl deck liner, a tone that reads tailored rather than glossy. The galley lies to starboard of the companion ladder with a three-burner stove and oven, a freezer, and double sinks, while the navigation station sits at the forward starboard side of the saloon. The standard layout centers on a deep sail locker in the center of the foredeck, accessible from a hatch above and also from below, which keeps bulky sails out of living spaces. An alternative dual-cabin arrangement places a queen-sized bed to port and a single full-sized berth to starboard with a hinged pilot berth above it. Wide teak-covered side decks were offered as an option, and the bow carries twin anchor rollers with a deep anchor locker.
Known Issues
The tall rig demands lee runners once winds exceed 20 knots, a requirement driven by the additional sail area and mast height rather than a hull deficiency. Owners running the optional tall rig must treat that as a regular offshore procedure rather than an emergency measure.
The Verdict
The Grand Soleil 50 (1992) is a Peterson cruiser with real downwind composure and a finished interior that wears well. The shallow and deep keel options broaden her cruising range, and the cherry-wood saloon with a separate accessible sail locker marks her as a thoughtful liveaboard. The tall rig's lee-runner requirement is the one operational note a buyer should respect.
Pros
- Beam and winged-keel hull give downwind stability
- Cherry saloon and practical galley with three-burner stove, freezer, double sinks
- Foredeck sail locker accessible from below
- Choice of shallow or deep keel drafts
Cons
- Tall rig requires lee runners above 20 knots
- Only thirty built, limiting market familiarity
