Calling any Frers Grand Soleil owners

[Streetcar]

I have a 1993 German Frers designed Grand Soleil 52 and am trying to make contact with other Grand Soleil 52 or Grand Soleil 45 owners. I would like to set up a network exchange information on various aspects of these great boats.

For example:
...how to disassemble the steering (I have done this and it was not easy to find info from Solimar)
...best places to install watermaker, genset etc
...keel structure arrangement (the fuel tank sits over the keelbolt area)
...where to get replacement stanchion bases and toe rails (I have had stanchion bases cast from scratch)

Private message me if you are interested

[SoundOfSilence]

I am interested and have sent you a message :-)

Rune

[Streetcar]

Hi Rune. Good to hear from you. I've emailed you back

[choel]

That's sound like a great idea, I've just started to refit my just bought GS 45 -92 and any ideas we can share would be great.
And I have a broken toe rail :/

[SoundOfSilence]

Hi Choel, congratulations with the purchase of this beautyful boat! I am also just about to start on my refit which will take place in Ravenna in Italy. It would be interesting to hear what you plan to do during your refit, as I am still looking into what needs to be done with mine. Will you change the teak deck?

Regards
Rune

[choel]

Thanks SoundOfSilence!
What I've done so far is sanding the bottom down completely to the gelcoat. Next step there is to put epoxy filler in the small holes in the gelcoat then I will put >5 layers of epoxy on and then a copper coat. And hopefully I wont have problems for years.

Then is the sides the gelcoat is real bad. A lot of polish :/ Been over it ones but probably needs another two turns.
Also planning on lifting the engine out and do a proper service on it.
Changing the standing rigging since the rigging is old and never been changed.
Changing running rigging and cabling in mast.
Changing all the seacocks, never now the condition of those.
Propeller shaft seals and bearings.
Resealing the keel.

This would be the main things for the spring, then the list goes on with smaller things.
But not changing the teak deck this year, have a couple of mm left in it. And the budget is not allowing it

Have the boat in Port-Napoleon, South of France. Hopefully finished for the summer But always something else needs doing.

/Joel

[marius72]

Hello everybody!

I am about to buy a Grand Soleil 40, the cruising version, 2003. Does anyone have any direct experience with this boat/model, pluses and mostly the minuses?

Thank you very much!

Happy and safe sailing!
Marius

[Jonny Lees]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a Grand Soleil 45 from 1990 for sale in the Med.

It's a lovely, strong looking boat, but what has given me pause for thought is very rusty keel studs, nuts and backing plate under the engine. Could this indicate a damaged or leaking hull/keel joint...?



Kind regards.

Jonny

[rflikweert]

Dear all,
I'm looking at a GS52 from 1988. I really love the classic lines and the space on board. However, my main concern is if this boat can be sailed easily shorthanded (me and my wife, and my wife is not that experienced). It has an electric winch, and a bow thruster, but with all the winches on board I doubt if this boat is manageable for the two of us. Any comments from your side? I also read in an Italian forum that the earlier types have some construction issues (problems with robustness), and that's solved in the models after 1990. Any comments on that?
Regards, Roderik