Cantiere del Pardo, builders of Grand Soleil yachts in Italy, has unveiled plans and drawings for the newest addition to the fleet, the Grand Soleil 39. The full size prototype has already been completed at the yard in Forli and hull number one is already out of the moulds and her fit-out is underway. The design the GS39 performance cruiser-racer has evolved from extensive research in to the IRC and ORC rules and builds on the proven racing success of the GS43 OT and the GS46. The Grand Soleil 39 is scheduled to be sailing on the Italian Riviera in the summer and her official launch will be at the Genoa Boat Show in the Autumn.

She features flush decks and hatches along with recessed roller furling for the non-overlapping headsail. She has an open transom, a large, ergonomic cockpit and twin wheel steering: a ‘first’ for a Grand Soleil of this size. This is a design feature which has proven practical and popular with both cruising and racing sailors alike on the GS43 and GS46. Below decks the GS39 offers the same interior volume as the GS40: eight berths in three cabins and the saloon, a classic ‘L’ shaped galley and an option for a second heads.

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