Grand Soleil 37

sailingguy123 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

While looking at the Elans, I found a Grand Soleil 37 that I liked alot. Does anyone have any comments on recent (within last 4 years) models? Has anyone had a chance to sail them or have friends who have been on them?

Thanks for your help.
Sailingguy123

sailingguy123 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

I know Giuletta has said good things about them but JeffH posted a couple years ago about thinking they were overpriced and not ergonomic. Any comments?

T37Chef · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

The American importer for Grand Soleil is a friend of ours and I have always found them to be wonderful sailing yachts with a excellent build quailty...expensive though! The 37 particular stood out in my mind.

sailingguy123 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

T37Chef, can you please try and explain to me how big of a difference there is between a Grand Soleil and a Beneteau? Is the price difference justified? I am thinking that if all I will be doing is coastal cruising the Grand Soleil may be overkill but they look like very nice boats.

sailingguy123 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

Also, as a side note, having the traveler in front of the wheel bothers me because it makes it difficult to get in and out. Is single handing made much easier with the traveler in front of the wheel instead of on the coachroof? I will probably be singlehanding and so I am trying to look for designs that will make that easier for me.

T37Chef · #6 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

First impressions go along way with me...when you open drawers, peek under the cabin sole, look at thu hulls, etc there is a immediate difference in quality of the Bene and the GS.

That said, for your intended purposes the Bene may be a better fit? If you really like the GS however and can justify the cost...?

Sorry I cant give "professional" comments, Jeff H or others will surely chime in with that part

sailingguy123 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

What would you say were the biggest downsides to the boat besides its price? How does your boat compare to the Grand Soleil's you have been on?

T37Chef · #8 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingguy123

Also, as a side note, having the traveler in front of the wheel bothers me because it makes it difficult to get in and out. Is single handing made much easier with the traveler in front of the wheel instead of on the coachroof? I will probably be singlehanding and so I am trying to look for designs that will make that easier for me.

Autopilot

sailingguy123 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-03-2007

So if you have autopilot, do you set it to steer the tack and then get yourself in the cockpit and tack the genoa and then the mainsail and then get back behind the wheel? And what about how it compares to your Tartan? What didn't you like about the boat besides the price? Thanks for all your help T37Chef.

Sailingguy123

Giulietta · #10 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007

Sailingguy123

Ahhh finally a boat I know inside out...cool.... I know both models, the end of the nineties models, normally all blue hull, and the newer models...the Salma Hayeks of boats....

The Grand soleil is a wonderfully very well built boat, very appealing and with very good sailing characteristics. And one of the boats I wouldn't mind owning. For real. That and the new 41 Dehler...I love them. That is a BOAT for me..altough the 37 is samll for me...I love the 50...my dream boat..

I don't know what Jeff means by not ergonomic???, because if that boat is not ergonomic, nothing else is...surely a Beneteau wouldn't even be a boat if Grand Soleil is not ergonomical.....so maybe you confused his statement...or he meant something else....I've sailed many, many many here, in fact we cruised in August with 2 of them (owned by friends a 42 and a 37) for 2 weeks. That is a boat. Let me tell you.

I used to race in IMS 500 in a GS 42R (not built by cantiere del prado, but subcontracted), that was a less quality boat, but was meant to last only 2 years. So we didn't care...

The GS may be a little expensive, but worth every single penny. Can't comapre with a Benetau...please..don't mix both in one post...

Please pm me and we'll go from there..its a boat I really know from real in sea, and from sailing not from web pages and showrooms.

By the way...don't let the end boom sacre or deterr you..its a wonderfull idea, makes sailing very enjoyable, you will singlehand better, the boat is better trimmed, less effort on you and boat...THERE IS NO POSSIBLE COMAPRISON...END BOOM .......END BOOM ....

But if at this stage you're posing those questions about the end boom arrgmt....and don't know the answer for yourself and what your sailing skills are...maybe its not the boat for you.

Also..the fastest of the Benetau is designed by Farr ...some GS are designed Rolf Vrolijk and some by Botin & Carkeek ...what else do you expect?? Can't comapre that either with Benetau...GS man...

The old GS 37 This is the one designed by J&J initially

The new GS37 by Botin & Carkeek

Which one are you looking at??