The Grand Soleil 44 model has just been awarded the prestigious Sailing World Boat of the year in the crossover category.

This follows its recent win as Cruising World Boat of the Year in the performance cruiser category.

That is two major awards for the model that only premiered last November 2020.

Irish sailors will have heard of the Grand Soleil 44, as the first of this new model was delivered to Bob Rendell from Howth in the Spring. Under the same name of his previous boat, Samatom, she won the first major regatta she competed in; Kinsale's Sovereigns Cup Coastal fleet 2021.

Bob Rendell's Samatom from Howth on her way to winning at the Sovereign's Cup 2021 Photo: Bob Bateman

The Grand Soleil is one of the 4 Key Yachting brands with agencies for both the UK and Ireland.

Mark Mansfield represents Key Yachting in Ireland. Mark can be contacted at [email protected] or at 00353 872506838 for further information on the Grand Soleil 44.

The new Grand Soleil 44 has won Performance Yacht of the Year at the 2020 British Yachting Awards.

"Key Yachting is delighted that the Grand Soleil 44 has won this award, it means so much because it is voted for by the public," commented Key Yachting Sales Director, Hannah Le Prevost. "We have been proud to be Grand Soleil dealers for many years, and this is an absolutely stunning boat."

The Grand Soleil 44 is available in two versions: GS 44 Performance and GS 44 Race.

The Performance model has an aluminium mast with a simple well-designed sail plan, including a self-tacking jib as standard. Four winches are part of an ergonomic open cockpit layout, designed for fast, comfortable cruising.

The Race version has two additional winches to aid racing manoeuvres, and forward of the mast, the carbon rig has a larger sail plan, delivering a tremendous boost to power.

The Nauta Design interior has generous interior volume featuring two double cabins aft, a central saloon with dining table, dedicated chart table, ample galley and a beautifully appointed bathroom. The forward double owner's cabin has its own en suite bathroom and private seating area with excellent natural light.

Both versions of the new GS 44 reflect the hallmarks of Grand Soleil: Italian style and a perfect balance between design and performance.

For more information: Contact Irish Grand Soleil agent Mark Mansfield—[email protected] ph 00 353 87 2506838

Following its announcement this past January at boot Düsseldorf, Grand Soleil’s new 44 Performance model has enjoyed its world premiere at the Genoa Boat Show in Italy.

The Grand Soleil 44 already has an impressive pedigree, with Nieulargo and Eleuthera among the familiar race-winning names in Irish waters.

The Performance version promises even more, and Mark Mansfield of Kay Yachting previously outlined the combination of comfort, cruising and racing excellence that the Grand Soleil 44 Performance epitomises.

For further details on this or any other vessel in the Grand Soleil range, contact Mark at [email protected] or 087 250 6838.

Mark Mansfield, Irish agent for Grand Soleil, highlights recent Irish sailing successes on different Grand Soleil models and looks forward to the New Grand Soleil 44 Performance being similar

The much-lauded Grand Soleil 44 performance was announced at Dusseldorf Boat Show last January, and much is expected from this proper "cruiser-racer". The first model of this range has been launched and will debut at the Genoa Boat show at the start of October.

Grand Soleil has a history of producing 'Proper Yachts' that are handmade, thus keeping excess weight to a minimum and ensuring that, though they are beautifully fitted out inside, they also can race very competitively. Recently, the Murphy family's' Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo from Cork Harbour won the Fastnet 450 race, among other races. This is a fully fitted out cruiser-racer, with teak decks, which can match and beat many full race designs.

Nieulargo, Grand Soleil 44—Fastnet 450 winner, pounding upwind Photo: Bob Bateman

A year or two ago we had the previous model Grand Soleil 44, Eleuthera, taking all before her, virtually unbeatable. She, likewise, had a fully fitted out cruising interior. Back in 2014, the Grand Soleil 43, Quokka, formed an integral part of the Irish winning Commodores Cup team that year, having just won Cork Week overall with straight wins. Though tricked up for racing, Quokka had a fully fitted out cruising interior.

Eleuthera, an older model Grand Soleil 44, winning Cork Week in 2018 Photo: Bob Bateman

Not many yacht manufacturers can claim their designs are proper cruiser racers. Some claim this, but in reality, few manage it. The time and effort that is needed to keep the weight down, particularly in the ends of the boat, means the normal mass-produced "cruiser-racers" end of being cruisers that can race but will not be that competitive on handicap.

Grand Soleil Performance 44 interior layout

In the case of the New Grand Soleil 44 performance, this boat can be had in a Race mode (with a slightly lighter interior and the deck layout designed for a full crew, or the cruiser/racer model, with a full cruising interior and a deck layout to suit less crew. Both will be fast, just tweaks for individual preferences. Both will be able to be cruised in great comfort.

(Above and below) Grand Soleil Performance 44 interior

In these COVID times, those wanting a comfortable Cruising interior for cruising in waters more local (or abroad) with the family, and still wanting to cut their teeth in the top-level racing scene have few options. Grand Soleil has to be on the wish list, and this new 44 Performance has to be close to the top of that list in this size range. 

Grand Soleil also has a specific Cruising range, the Long Cruise line where the Long Cruise 42 and Long Cruise 46 have been selling very well.

For further information on the Grand Soleil 44 performance, or any of the Grand Soleil Range, contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or ph 087 250 6838