THE SAILOR’S CHOICE ... ADMIRAL BOAT INSURANCE
SPECIFICATIONS – Grand Soleil 43 0T
Verdict
LOA 13.25m 43ft 5in
She might have the looks and performance
LWL 11.40m 36ft 0in figures of an out and out racing machine, but
Beam 3.95m 12ft 11in the GS43 is such a smooth performer that
Draught (shoal/deep) 2.30m/2.50m 7ft 6in/ 8ft 2in
cruising in her would not only be possible, but
Displacement 8,900kg 19,580lb
an absolute pleasure. Her decks and cockpit are
intelligently designed, although not exclusively for a
Ballast 2,850kg 6,270lb
burly racing crew, and she has features that fit nicely
Sail area 105m² 1,129ft²
into the cruising mode – especially when spec’d up
Fuel 230ltr 50gal
to suit the owner’s own style of sailing.
Water 400ltr 88gal At the end of the day, she looks so stunningly
Berths 6-8
gorgeous that anyone would feel proud to own her
Engine 40hp Volvo
– myself included.
RCD Category A-Ocean
Designer Botin & Carkeek/P Roseo
For Against
• Sleek, streamlined • Lack of handholds
Builder Cantiere del Pardo, Italy
and attractive lines • Annoying structural
Contact UK main agent Key Yachting
• Easier to handle step in galley sole
023 8045 5669 than many • Not the greatest
www.keyyachting.com
performance yachts headroom for a
• Extremely well 43ft boat
Price from £275,000 + inc UK delivery
built with integral steel
frame
Marine insurance for home
waters and worldwide cruising,
charters and rallies.
Providing comprehensive
marine insurance policies that
are competitively priced and
easy to understand is only the
starting point. At Admiral we
believe our business is as much
about dealing with people as
1
anything else.
Discover our personal
touch and a practical approach
towards meeting your
insurance needs.
As expected, the
GS43 is fast, but
2
For a free quote contact us
surprisingly easy to
or visit online
handle. I’ve sailed
01722 416106
a few regatta-bred yachts in rounding up.
the past and most require 100 Tacking is
www.admiralyacht.
per cent concentration, but quick and easy,
com
the GS43 is so well balanced the powerful
you can helm and watch Harken primary
the scenery go by without winches making 3 Downwind
rounding up or broaching to. slick work of These yachts are intended to
taking in the use seriously proportioned
1 Closehauled jib, which had 3 downwind sails, but the final
Pointing to 30º or less is little overlap. choice is the owner’s, who
normal practice in a boat like As the wind might select a voluminous
this, although if sailed too close increased closer into an easy groove. Her deep spinnaker for racing, whilst
the speed drops off quickly to 20kn we pumped a little rudder keeps her on track and keeping a slightly tamer,
due to her comparatively light more tension into the backstay, retains her grip on the water, asymmetric chute for cruising.
displacement. But trimmed which rebalanced the helm while her foil keel gives her lift Hoisting our spinnaker we
correctly she stays on track nicely and the log stayed over as well as keeping her stiff. shot off downwind at 14kn
with little input from the helm. the 9kn mark most of the way. I suspected that moving with the wind now 20kn+.
Speeds of 8kn+ were around the cockpit and decks She ran straight as a die, her
common during our jaunt in 2 Reaching at these speeds might be tricky, light, positive helm giving
15kn-odd of wind, peaking Bearing away onto a close but what you need comes to me precise feedback at all
at 9.2kn. Even with just the reach felt like engaging hand naturally and what you times – even in the gusts, I
mainsail hoisted we happily overdrive. The log notched up don’t need is tucked out of struggled to hide a boyish grin
made 7kn without a hint of another knot and she dropped harm’s way. in the excitement. ■
76 Sailing Today September 09
ST149 New GSoleil
43_RTG.indd 64 16/7/09 12:03:33
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