Grand Soleil 42 LC

The Grand Soleil 42 LC (Long Cruise) is a bluewater performance cruiser built by Italian yard Cantiere del Pardo and introduced at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival. It sits at the entry point of Grand Soleil's Long Cruise range, which extends up to 72 feet. The design was a three-way collaboration between naval architect Marco Lostuzzi, the exterior and interior styling house Nauta Design, and the yard's own technical department. The resulting boat is RCD Category A ocean-rated and is intended to combine genuine offshore capability with generous cruising comfort.

The 42 LC is offered in two deck configurations — a classic version with a cockpit rollbar that creates an expansive living area aft, and a sportier variant that omits the rollbar and aft benches. Below, buyers choose between a two-cabin or three-cabin floorplan, the latter providing an owner's forward cabin and two aft double-berth guest cabins.

The hull is built in GRP sandwich construction using PVC-cored fibreglass and polyester resin, producing a light, stiff structure. Marco Lostuzzi gave the 42 LC sharper, higher bows than the sportier Grand Soleil models, combined with increased hull volume amidships and additional rocker, deliberately favouring a more forgiving motion offshore. The fin keel is L-shaped with a bulb and available in a standard 2.25 m deep version or a heavier shoal option at 1.80 m. Twin wheels connect to a single deep rudder. The carbon bowsprit extends nearly one metre forward to carry an asymmetric spinnaker, and the aluminium mast is deck-stepped with two spreader levels carrying discontinuous 1×19 wire shrouds.

Deck hardware is arranged for short-handed sailing: an in-mast furling mainsail, a self-tacking jib, and all running lines led aft to twin helm stations, each served by a winch pair with one electric winch per side. The cockpit arch (on the rollbar version) relocates the mainsheet traveller away from foot traffic, while a hydraulic bathing platform, bow thruster, and anchor windlass can all be operated remotely from the helm.

Sea trials in a Yachting Monthly test recorded 4 knots in just 5 knots of true wind and 5.5 knots in 8 knots true, with the boat's polars suggesting 6.5 knots becomes readily achievable once the breeze builds to 10–12 knots. The helm was described as light and responsive even at low speeds, and the boat tacked through approximately 100 degrees true. Performance ratios place the 42 LC firmly in the fast-cruiser bracket: a sail area-to-displacement ratio of around 21–22 and a displacement-to-length ratio of roughly 157 indicate a moderately light hull with good power relative to its weight.

The standard sail plan centres on the in-mast furling main and self-tacking jib, which simplifies short-handed passages without demanding constant sail changes. For windward work the boat points to about 35 degrees apparent; downwind, the asymmetric flown off the carbon bowsprit returns strong reaching and running speeds. A ballast ratio of roughly 28–31 percent provides adequate initial stability while keeping displacement modest.

The two-cabin layout places a centreline island double forward with flanking steps, a large hanging locker, generous under-bunk stowage, and a private ensuite with a separate shower cubicle. Aft, a starboard cabin offers twin or double berths with engine-bay access and dedicated storage, while the port cabin mirrors it. A lowering saloon table can convert the saloon into a fourth sleeping area. Headroom throughout ranges from 1.87 to 1.93 metres. The three-cabin option rearranges the aft section to give two symmetrical guest doubles.

The galley runs along the hull side and is well equipped out of the box, with full-height locker runs, a large split-top fridge, two-burner stove, generous worktops, and plentiful rack and drawer storage — with space for a microwave and coffee machine. The saloon features C-shaped seating for four around a fixed table, and a forward-facing chart table with a comfortable seat alongside. Solid-wood joinery with rounded corners is used throughout, and sliding portlight blinds integrated into the hull lining add a quality finish to the cabin feel.