The Grande Soleil 46 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Grande Soleil 46

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 45'11" (14.0m)

Waterline Length: 38'2" (11.7m)

Beam: 13'9" (4.2m)

Draft: 6'7" (2.0m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 28,660lb (13,000kg)

Designer: Alain Jezequel*

Builder: Cantiere del Pardo (Italy)

Year First Built: 1984

* Three subsequent (and completely different) versions of the Grande Soleil 46 were designed by Botin & Carkeek, J & J Design and Marco Lostuzzi.

Published Design Ratios for the Grande Soleil 46

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 22.3

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 41.5

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 229

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 33.2

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Grande Soleil 46

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 22.3 suggests that, in the right hands, the Grande Soleil 46 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 41.5 means that the Grande Soleil 46 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 229, tells us the Grande Soleil 46 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 33.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Grande Soleil 46 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 indicates that a Grande Soleil 46 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.