The Grand Soleil 39 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Grand Soleil 39 has a sail area/displacement ratio of 15.4, which indicates that it is moderately powered and can sail well in light to moderate winds. It also has a ballast/displacement ratio of 41%, which means that it is stiff and stable, with a good resistance to heeling. The displacement/length ratio of 242.1 suggests that it is a medium displacement boat, with a good balance between speed and comfort. The hull speed of the Grand Soleil 39 is 8.5 knots, which can be easily achieved or exceeded with a favorable wind.

The Grand Soleil 39 is no longer in production. It was built from 1983 to 1990, with about 150 units produced.

There were two versions of the Grand Soleil 39: the standard version and the tall rig version. The tall rig version had a higher mast and larger sail area, which gave it more speed potential but also more heel. The dimensions of the tall rig version were:

• I: 51.6 ft,
• J: 15.7 ft,
• P: 46.7 ft,
• E: 13.8 ft.

The Grand Soleil 39 has three cabins and two heads, which can accommodate up to nine people for sleeping. The forward cabin has a double berth and an ensuite head, the aft cabin has two single berths and a shared head with the saloon, and the saloon has three more berths (two on the settees and one on the folding table).

The sailing press generally praised the Grand Soleil 39 for its performance, quality and style.

For example, Sail magazine wrote in its review in 1985: "The Grand Soleil 39 is one of those rare boats that combines speed with grace, comfort with seaworthiness. It is a boat that can be raced hard or cruised easily, depending on your mood or inclination".

Similarly, Yachting World magazine wrote in its review in 1986: "The Grand Soleil 39 is an impressive boat in every respect. It is fast, well balanced, easy to handle and beautifully finished. It is also spacious, comfortable and well equipped for cruising".

Owners of the Grand Soleil 39 tend to be very satisfied with their boats, as they enjoy its performance, comfort and elegance. Some of the comments from owners on various forums and websites are:

• "I have owned my GS 39 for over ten years now and I love it. It is fast, responsive and fun to sail. It also has plenty of room for my family and friends. It is a great boat for cruising or racing".

• "The GS 39 is a fantastic boat. It sails beautifully in all conditions, it is well built and reliable, it has a lot of character and charm. It is not a cheap boat, but it is worth every penny".

• "The GS 39 is a dream boat. It is a classic Italian design, with sleek lines and a gorgeous interior. It is also a performance boat, with a powerful rig and a fast hull. It is a boat that makes you proud to own it".

The Grand Soleil 39 was built by Cantiere del Pardo, a renowned Italian yard that was founded in 1974 and is still in operation today. Cantiere del Pardo specializes in producing high-quality cruiser-racers that combine performance, comfort and style. The Grand Soleil brand is one of the most prestigious and successful in the sailing world, with many awards and achievements to its name.

The Grand Soleil 39 has a standard sloop rig, with a single mast and two sails: 

• a mainsail and a headsail (usually a genoa). The sail area of the standard rig is 84.4m², with a mainsail of 26.7m² and a genoa of 35.3m². 

• The tall rig option has a larger sail area of 94.6 m², with a mainsail of 30.5 m² and a genoa of 40.6m². 

The average asking price of a secondhand Grand Soleil 39 varies depending on the year, condition and equipment of the boat. According to some online listings, the price range can be from around $50,000 to $100,000.

Alain Jezequel is a French naval architect who has designed many sailboats for different builders and markets. Some of his other creations are:

• The Feeling range of cruising sailboats for Kirie (France), such as the Feeling 850, Feeling 960 or Feeling 1090.

• The Selection range of racing sailboats for Jeanneau (France), such as the Selection 37 or Selection 41.

• The JOD range of one-design racing sailboats for Jeanneau (France), such as the JOD 24, JOD 35 or JOD 45.

• The Grand Soleil 40, Grand Soleil 43 and Grand Soleil 46.3, which are larger and more modern versions of the Grand Soleil 39, also built by Cantiere del Pardo (Italy).

• The Dufour 39, Dufour 41 and Dufour 44, which are similar cruiser-racers designed by Jezequel for Dufour Yachts (France).

• The Oceanis 390, Oceanis 400 and Oceanis 440, which are more cruising-oriented sailboats designed by Jezequel for Beneteau (France).