Grand Soleil Yachts has announced the world debut of the Grand Soleil Blue at Boot Düsseldorf 2025, scheduled for January 18 to 26, 2025. This groundbreaking project exemplifies the dedication of Grand Soleil Yachts and Cantiere del Pardo to embraced sustainability and marine conservation, setting a new benchmark in eco-friendly yacht construction.



"The sea is our passion and our home," remarked Gigi Servidati, Chairman of Cantiere del Pardo. "The GS Blue showcases how aesthetics, performance, and sustainable practices can seamlessly coexist, resulting in a vessel that’s thoughtfully designed for future generations."

The GS Blue signifies a collaborative effort between Cantiere del Pardo and prominent maritime experts, including Matteo Polli (Naval Architect) and Nauta Design (responsible for both the exterior and interior design), as well as sustainable materials specialists like NL Comp. This boat is more than just a product; it represents a firm commitment to redefine the standards of sustainability within yachting. The Grand Soleil Blue is poised to set a new paradigm for future yacht design – where elegance aligns harmoniously with ecological responsibility.



With an overall length of 10 meters, the Grand Soleil Blue comfortably accommodates up to four individuals for overnight excursions, all while providing a zero-impact sailing experience. When its operational life comes to an end, the entire vessel is designed for complete recyclability, utilizing components selected for their reusability, thereby preventing current materials from becoming future waste. This eco-sensitive approach has influenced the design process, resulting in a stylish weekender that is also remarkably innovative.



How has such sustainability been achieved? Through advanced design and construction methodologies:

Sustainable Construction: The GS Blue signifies a pivotal advancement in yacht construction by incorporating thermoplastic resin – developed by NL Comp, a pioneer in sustainable yachting – which addresses a pressing challenge in the marine industry: end-of-life recycling. Unlike composite boats traditionally constructed with thermosetting resins that are hard to recycle, thermoplastic resin allows for the easy separation of resin from glass or carbon fibers for reuse or responsible disposal.

Design for Disassembly: This innovative design approach facilitates the simple disassembly of boat components, mirroring end-of-life practices utilized in the automotive sector. This distinctive consideration assures that all elements of the GS Blue can be effectively disassembled and recycled, thereby minimizing environmental repercussions.

Lithium Batteries: The GS Blue will include an 8 kW, 48V lithium battery bank (LiFePO4) from E-Propulsion, recharge-ready within 7.2 hours. This is the standard configuration, which can be doubled in capacity without extending charging time.

Electric Propulsion: Featuring a 6 kW electric motor with a direct Pod Drive transmission from E-Propulsion, the GS Blue produces a silent onboard experience and a simplified installation process, championing zero-emission navigation and paving the way for a more sustainable maritime future.

Solar Panels: Equipped with solar panels to ensure renewable energy autonomy, the GS Blue’s battery bank powers both the electric motor and essential onboard services. With the standard battery pack, it can cruise approximately 30 nautical miles at a speed of around 5 knots – six hours of continuous operation – extensively supported by an integrated photovoltaic system from Solbian.



Thermoplastic Sails: Emphasizing sustainability, the sails of the GS Blue are made from thermoplastic materials, representing a commitment to minimizing environmental impact. Developed by OneSails, the 4T FORTE™ sails are designed to be the world's first sustainably produced sails, ensuring extensive recyclability.

Hydrogeneration: While cruising, the E-Propulsion Pod Drive motor generates electricity to recharge the GS Blue's batteries through hydrogeneration, creating energy from the flow of water produced by the propeller's movement.

Notably, this pioneering project is co-funded by the Emilia-Romagna region, under the PR-ERDF 2021/2027 program, reflecting a commitment to experimental research and development.

Cantiere del Pardo was founded in 1973 in Italy. Pardo Yachts, the brand of Cantiere del Pardo dedicated to powerboats, was born in 2016. The first model, the Pardo 43, was launched in 2017. Grand Soleil was founded in 1973 and is famous for its yachts, which ensure performance for regattas, autonomous long-distance navigation, as well as a high level of sustainable consciousness.

Credit: Grand Soleil

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