The Grand Soleil 37 sailboat, designed by the naval architect partnership of Botin & Carkeek, was built by Cantiere del Pardo, an Italian shipyard located in Forlì, Italy.
Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin keel with a spade rudder
Hull Material: GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester)
Length Overall: 11.7m (38'5")
Waterline Length: 9.8m (32'2")
Beam: 3.67m (12'0")
Draft: 2.4m (7'11")
Rig Type: Fractional Sloop
Displacement: 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs)
Ballast: 2,050 kg (4,519 lbs)
Water Tank Capacity: 360 liters (95.1 gallons)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 140 liters (37 gallons)
Hull Speed: 7.6 knots
Designer: Botin & Carkeek*
Builder: Cantiere del Pardo
Year First Built: 2005
* Botin & Carkeek was a renowned yacht design partnership founded by Marcelino Botin and Shaun Carkeek. They were known for designing some of the world's fastest racing yachts. Their designs were particularly popular in high-performance sailing competitions, including the Volvo Ocean Race.
Marcelino Botin continues to lead Botin Partners, which remains a prominent name in naval architecture, producing innovative and elegant yachts. Shaun Carkeek, on the other hand, founded Carkeek Design Partners in 2010, focusing on high-performance race, power, and superyacht design.
I: 15.0m (49'2")
J: 4.35m (14'3")
P: 14.5m (47'7")
E: 5.0m (16'5")
Mainsail Area: 36.25m2 (390ft2)
Genoa Area: 32.63m2 (351ft2)
Spinnaker Area: 110m2 (1,184ft2)
The following analysis of the design ratios gives an indication of the boat's likely sailing characteristics, but see the 'Notes of Caution' below:
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 25
With a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 25, the Grand Soleil 37 is considered to have a relatively high-performance capability. This means the boat is likely to be quite powerful and capable of good speeds, offering a thrilling sailing experience, especially in lighter winds.
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 33%
A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 33% indicates that the Grand Soleil 37 has moderate stiffness but not extremely high. It won't be as stiff or as powerful in standing up to strong winds compared to boats with a ratio of 40% or more. However, it should still perform adequately in a range of wind conditions, providing a balanced blend of performance and stability.
Displacement/Length Ratio: 205
With a Displacement/Length Ratio of 205, the Grand Soleil 37 falls into the Moderate Displacement category. This suggests that it is neither too light to be thrown around by waves nor too heavy to be sluggish. It offers a good balance, requiring a moderate amount of sail area to reach its design hull speed. It should be relatively responsive without sacrificing too much comfort or stability.
Comfort Ratio: 22.5
A Comfort Ratio of 22.5 places the Grand Soleil 37 in the category associated with a somewhat lively motion, typical of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability. This implies that while it may exhibit some motion in rougher conditions, it should be comfortable enough for coastal cruising and moderate offshore sailing, albeit with a bit of liveliness.
Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0
With a Capsize Screening Formula of 2.0, the Grand Soleil 37 is on the threshold of being considered suitable for ocean passages. It suggests that the boat has a relatively balanced design with a reasonable beam compared to its displacement, making it capable of handling offshore conditions, but not with the robustness of boats with a lower capsize screening number.
In summary, the Grand Soleil 37 sailboat is a high-performance cruiser with moderate stability and comfort. It offers a lively sailing experience with good speed potential and decent handling capabilities for offshore passages, although it might not be as stiff or as comfortable in rough seas as heavier, bluewater-oriented vessels.
Here's how to calculate the KPIs yourself - without having to wrestle with the mathematics...
Design Ratios: Notes of Caution...
General Limitations
In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.
This article was written with the assistance of Gemini, a large language model developed by Google. Gemini was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.
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