Grand Soleil’s latest launch is something of a rarity in today’s market – a cruiser-racer with a comfortable three-cabin interior, yet the ability to excel on the racecourse. Often such claims can be quickly dismissed, but the yard’s last new model, the GS 44, notched up two back-to-back ORC world championship victories.
The new 40 is born of the same philosophy. Naval architect Matteo Polli was engaged to draw uncompromised hull lines that maximise performance and sailing qualities, particularly the hull balance as heel angle increases. Nauta Design was then tasked with optimising the accommodation within the available volume, while staying within a weight limit Polli specified for the interior and systems.
My first outing gave a chance to get the boat fully powered up at tight wind angles with the Code 0 in 12 knots of true wind, when boat speed consistently hovered around the hull speed of 8.3 knots. The helm positions are lovely and even though our test boat lacked foot chocks, the optional Flexiteek deck covering – which is specified by 90% of Grand Soleil owners – provided ample grip.
An efficient and deep single rudder is set well forward. The helm stays light even when the boat is pressed hard, with the rudder retaining excellent grip, though feedback increases reassuringly as rudder loads build. Close-hauled in 9 knots of true breeze we made 6 knots, at an apparent wind angle of 33-34°.
ALWAYS SAILING
My next sail was on a stereotypically gorgeous autumn Mediterranean afternoon, with temperature in the mid 20s and generally light airs, the true wind speed mostly around five knots.
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Yachting World.
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Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Yachting World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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5 EXPERT TIPS BOB BEGGS ON SAILING IN COLD WEATHER
As temperatures drop, Andy Rice gets tips on how to handle the cold from self-confessed Arctic weather fan and winning Clipper Round the World Race skipper Bob Beggs
SPECIAL REPORT EXTENDED CRUISING IN THE BALTIC
Sweden offers cruisers a warm welcome for winter - Janneke Kuysters has advice on how to boost your sailing time in the region
NIKKI HENDERSON
SEARCHING FOR MORE SPEED? BEFORE TINKERING WITH TINY ADJUSTMENTS, MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT THE BASICS RIGHT THE POWER DRIVING THE BOAT
MATTHEW SHEAHAN
WHAT WILL THE BOATS OF THE 38TH AMERICA'S CUP LOOK LIKE? THAT'S THE $20 MILLION QUESTION IF BRITAIN OR NEW ZEALAND DECIDE TO DEPART FROM THE AC75
60-knot squalls hit Middle Sea Race
The 45th running of the Mediterranean offshore, the Rolex Middle Sea Race, saw a spectacularly random mix of conditions - even for a race which is famed for its variable weather patterns.
Italy win first Women's Cup
The first ever Women's America's Cup was won by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli after a single, twoboat shoot-out final on 12 October.
'Three-peat' for ETNZ
As Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand came into this year's 37th America's Cup as clear favourites. But the Kiwi camp has far more than just the structural advantage of being the ones that wrote the Protocol for the competition, and the originators of the AC75 concept.
ROOM WITH A VIEW
SWEDISH DESIGNER GABRIEL HEYMAN POURED A LIFETIME OF IDEAS INTO THIS PILOT SALOON CRUISER, WHICH INCLUDES ARGUABLY THE LARGEST COCKPIT AVAILABLE AT THIS SIZE
LIVING HISTORY
THE ICONIC SEASON-CLOSING REGATTA LES VOILES DE SAINT TROPEZ WAS AN IMMERSIVE HISTORY LESSON FOR CROSBIE LORIMER
CHANGE OF PLAN
LEAVING AUSTRALIA, MARIANNE URTH NEVER PLANNED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE ISLANDS OF VANUATU, BUT THE EXPERIENCE WAS MAGICAL