New Listing – 2005 Grand Soleil 50

Grabau International is delighted to announce the new listing of the 2005 Grand Soleil 50 ‘BELLA OF LONDON’.

Fantastically well-equipped and upgraded example of the Judel Vrolijk designed Grand Soleil 50 aft cockpit performance cruising yacht. Presented in great condition inside and out with over £70k in recent expenditure to make her 100% turnkey.

FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:

Launched in April 2005 and very lightly used in both of her original ownerships, BELLA OF LONDON was bought in 2013 by her current owner. Coded to SVC2, she has taken her owner and crew on the ARC in 2013, the Fastnet in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and has been used for cruising in UK and Channel waters.

Comprehensively refitted and upgraded throughout her current ownership with in excess of £70k spent over the past 5 seasons, BELLA OF LONDON is one of the best-prepared and immediately usable cruising yachts we have seen in a very long while.

Her specification highlights are numerous, but particular highlights include:-
• 3-cabin, 2-head owner’s layout
• Larger 75hp Volvo engine option with saildrive and recent diaphragm replacement
• Recently replaced stainless steel wire standing rigging
• Upgraded Harken electric winch package
• Extensive Sanders & North Sails carbon sail wardrobe
• Symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers with poles and deck gear
• Fully-battened mainsail with ball-bearing battencars, single-line reefing and lazyjacks
• Flex-o-fold feathering prop
• Retractable bowthruster
• Twin alternators, upgraded battery capacity and inverter
• Webasto diesel heating system
• Holding tank
• Spectra Newport 400 watermaker
• Raymarine instrument package including digital radar & plotters
• Wi-fi

BELLA OF LONDON is now offered for sale in 100% turn-key order as her owners would like to move on to fresh projects. VAT-paid, Part 1 British Registered and SVC2 coded, she is ideal for both private and commercial adventures.

OWNER’S COMMENTS:

We purchased BELLA OF LONDON in 2013 when she was based out of Portimão in the western Algarve, Portugal. Little did we know that the idyllic test sail in the sun and Blue sea with Dolphins playing with the bow was to be a prelude for such great things to come.

Since owning BELLA OF LONDON we have sailed many thousands of miles having been to Gibraltar, Tangier, the Canaries, the Caribbean via the 2014 ARC, the North French coast, three successful and hugely enjoyable Fastnets and cruised round Britain. During this time we have built complete confidence in her through all conditions. She is fast, fun and really comfortable.

We have spent a considerable amount of money on Bella bringing her specification up to the level required to do all the exciting things that we have been able to do. BELLA OF LONDON is far from a standard Grand Soleil 50!

BELLA OF LONDON is currently configured to sail with a full crew, however, some minor and inexpensive adjustments such as fitting a lazy bag for the main and a spinnaker sock she could sail short-handed very easily.

Our reluctant decision to sell BELLA OF LONDON is due to commitments of our personal time and business.
BELLA OF LONDON has been meticulously maintained and consistently used with a majority of the maintenance and upgraded works carried out here in Lymington by the Berthon Boat Company. To sail BELLA OF LONDON back across the Atlantic would take too much more than packing some extra ‘sandwiches and a flask of tea’.

BUILDER’S COMMENTS:

Designed by Rolf Vrolijk, and it shares the same heritage of this designer, who has proven his ability to delineate and reaffirm the success of Alinghi in the last two editions of the America’s Cup. Grand Soleil 50’ is a consecration of the design on which it was built, aimed at limiting wave-resistance at sea and at defining significant shape stability in order to achieve the ideal angle of balance and consistently safe and comfortable sailing.

SUCCESSFUL CHOICES – In terms of design solutions, the sail area includes a high-extension spanker and a low-overlap genoa jib, so as to allow for easy and intuitive sailing in all conditions, even with a short crew. The spacious and user-friendly cockpit is designed to suit both cruise and regatta use. The main sheet at the end of the boom ensures the best possible control for regatta use, whilst the halyard runs below deck, the short deckhouse and the garage hood make for a clear, obstacle-free deck, and ensure that all rigging movements can be carried out freely and rapidly.

SEA-AFFINITY. ENOUGH SAID – There is perhaps no greater or more desirable quality in a boat, and yet, when you try Grand Soleil 50’, you will recognise it instantly and naturally. This boat is truly made for the sea, tireless, handling races or cruises, the longer the better, in the heart of the habitat that Grand Soleil 50’ was made for, and where it is truly in its element. Above deck, the double wheelhouse opens out the cockpit and provides for a direct passageway to the transom, where the electrical opening-system facilitates easy and immediate access to the sea.

HIGH-CLASS LIVING – Dimensions and design choices make the Grand Soleil 50’ an extremely agreeable boat, particularly well-suited for hosting guests and families, thanks to its spacious rooms and decks.

SPEED MEETS RELAXATION – Below deck, the sporty life gives way to a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, distinctly elegant and refined, down to the smallest detail, as befits the finest Grand Soleil tradition.

Grand Soleil 50 – BELLA OF LONDON – Asking £194,950 UK VAT paid – full details here

Do you have a yacht like this to sell? Grabau International are always looking for new high quality cruising yacht listings both in the UK and internationally. For further information about our tailored brokerage services, please look here or feel free to contact us