GRAND SOLEIL 44P
The new Grand Soleil 44P is marketed as an easy-to-cruise performance yacht that can deliver you to your destination in record time. For those interested, the brief for this new model from the Cantiere del Pardo stable also includes the creation of a yacht that could excel in both IRC and ORC regattas.
The Grand Soleil 44P marks the yard’s first collaboration with Matteo Polli, who has worked successfully with Cossutti Yacht Design and Italia Yachts in the past. If looks play a part in its success, the Grand Solil 44P is certainly on the right track. Maximum beam is carried well aft at deck level, but is narrow at the waterline, which reduces drag and suits a single rudder configuration.
All the talk of performance is great for those who want to race it, but if the boat wants to make a mark in the cruising market then versatile options will be a key consideration, as will the comfort below.
The Grand Soleil 44P comes with two different deck layouts, one for the racing market and one for cruising. The cruising version simplifies manoeuvres and line handling, including a self-tacking jib as standard, while the race model offers more winches, a taller rig and a non self-tacking jib with transverse jib car tracks.
The clean layout below includes three cabins and two heads. There’s an L-shaped kitchen and dinette with a comfy U-shaped sofa and table positioned centrally. This generous space below does come at the expense of a separate chart table, instead opting for a chart table and nav area at the forward end of the sofa.