GS 34, Groupe Finot
The first Grand Soleil is built; it was a 34-footer signed by the French design studio “Jean Marie Finot”, one of the world’s best nautical design studios at that time.
We like to define Cantiere del Pardo as a modern workshop of beauty and creativity, where technical knowledge and craftsmanship meet creativity, design genius and technological innovation to produce nautical masterpieces of absolute excellence, in the wake of the highest Italian tradition.
Deep connection with the territory, ability to combine technical knowledge and creative intelligence, and a clear, decisive and unmistakable aesthetic. From these values, the sailing and motor boats that have made the history, pride and prestige of this extraordinary Italian company, for more than 50 years, are born.
5 Decades of innovation
Italian boats have always been synonymous with style, performance, quality, and comfort in the yachting world. Cantiere del Pardo encompasses all these attributes, embodying the true essence of the Italian spirit. With a history spanning fifty years, Cantiere del Pardo has established itself as one of the most prestigious and admired brands, dedicated to creating sporty sailboats and luxury power yachts that are easy to handle. Their designs embrace the typical Italian style that is renowned worldwide. The original goal was to develop sailboats with a dual soul – sporty yet comfortable and easy to maneuver.
The yard’s experience and passion have allowed it to expand into luxury motor yachts, while still maintaining its commitment to sailing boats. This is in line with the yard’s roots in Emilia Romagna, which is also home to some of Italy’s most renowned companies, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. In this region, where heart and passion are blended with technology and style, Cantiere del Pardo has thrived, producing some of the best examples of what’s Made in Italy.
GS 39, Alain Jézéquel
Alain Jézéquel designed the Grand Soleil 39, the second of the three projects conceived during his cooperation with Cantiere del Pardo. This boat will become one of the best sellers in the yard’s history ever.
GS 52, German Frers
The collaboration with one of the most renowned international boat designers resulted in the launch of the Grand Soleil 52. The Argentinian German Frers sets his seal to the first of three designs developed for Cantiere del Pardo.
GS 64 Maxi One, Bruce Farr
It’s the year of collaboration with one of the most famous sailing icons in the sailing world: the New Zealander Bruce Farr, the so-called “Magician”, provided the design for the 64 Maxi One.
GS 46.3, J&J
It’s the turn of the Jacopin brothers (J&J) to create the Grand Soleil 46.3, thus beginning a long period of successful cooperation with Cantiere del Pardo. This will successfully follow with the Grand Soleil 37 and the Grand Soleil 43 some years later.
GS 40, Massimo Paperini
The Grand Soleil 40 Duck Design makes its debut and becomes World and European IMS Champion in Class C2. The stunning project is created by the hand of Massimo Paperini.
GS 45, Judel&Vrolik
These are years of significant technical innovations for Grand Soleil Yachts, the renowned Judel&Vrolik design implemented the patented galvanized steel cage as structural reinforcement to the hulls. The Grand Soleil 45 and 50 J&V are fast cruising boats featured by modern and contemporary lines, with comfortable voluminous spaces below deck and high-quality standards.
GS 54, Luca Brenta
The Grand Soleil 54 makes its debut at the International Boat Show in Genoa, and is immediately declared “Boat of the Year”. Designed by Luca Brenta, it has exclusive details and technology, just as a custom yacht should do.
GS 46, Marcelino Botin
Launching the Grand Soleil 46 by America’s Cup designer Marcelino Botin. The boat won the “European Yacht of the Year” award in 2010. A boat with high-performance waterlines and excellent results in multiple regattas’ cups.
GS 39, Claudio Maletto
Claudio Maletto, a prestigious designer of several America’s Cup projects, conceives a racer-cruiser of 39 feet, immediately becoming a great commercial success for the shipyard. The GS 39 is indeed an extremely fast and modern boat built out of composite with carbon structural components to further lighten the structures while increasing its stiffness.
Birth of Grand Soleil Long Cruise
2014 saw the birth of the Grand Soleil Long Cruise, a revolutionary concept that immediately became a great success. They are in fact boats designed for sail cruising, with unparallel comfort of interior and exterior spaces featured by impressive volume. The Long Cruise line is distinguished by the mainsail roll-bar and self-tacking jib for easy handling and ideal maneuvering for small crews. On the other hand, the hulls turn out to be always very fast and hydrodynamic signed by Marco Lostuzzi. The introduction of the LC line was meant to create two parallel Grand Soleil lines designed for different clientele and shipowners. The Performance one, Cantiere del Pardo’s flagship, features slimmed lines and lightened hulls ideal for fast cruising. While the LC line has a gentler and cruising soul.
Birth of Pardo Yachts
2016 sees the birth of the new Pardo Yachts Brand with the first 43-footer with sinuous and elegant lines. A unique design easily distinguishable from any powerboat on the market. The graceful, smooth and sleek lines see the elimination of every sharp edge thus identifying the quintessential Pardo Yachts. In fact, the Pardo Yachts brand is the testimony of the Made-in-Italy know-how and experience of the Shipyard in sailboats that have been exported to the Power world.
The first Pardo to touch the water was the 43-footer with its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Acquisition of VanDutch
In 2020, Cantiere del Pardo announced the acquisition of the prestigious Netherlands Brand VanDutch, appreciated for its strong lifestyle and supported by an established overseas positioning. VanDutch’s story began in 2008 with the launch of a Brand that immediately distinguished itself as a leader in design and functionality, quickly establishing itself globally. Cantiere del Pardo’s goal is to save the unique design of this brand while enriching and refining its style, infusing a touch of Italian personality that only a company with 50 years of history behind it can convey. The two-year period between 2020 and 2022 represents a biennium of great news: a wide collection of new products such as VanDutch 40, VanDutch 48, VanDutch 32 and VanDutch 56 alongside the opening of the four VanDutch Centers: Miami, Saint-Tropez, Balearics and Lake Garda.
GS 72 Performance, Matteo Polli & Nauta Design
Grand Soleil 72 Performance: a unique project by Cantiere del Pardo in collaboration with Matteo Polli, Nauta Design, and Marco Lostuzzi, great names in Italian sailing. All internationally recognized for outstanding projects in the nautical field signed Made in Italy.
The goal of this project is to realize a boat with an explicitly Italian aesthetic, elegant and modern design with high comfort ergonomics both below deck and outside.
Celebrating 50 years
of life at sea
From June 23-25, Cantiere del Pardo celebrated its 50th anniversary in the beautiful setting of Portopiccolo.
The event included several activities: a gala evening, but also the Grand Soleil Cup and Grand Soleil Vintage Cup regattas, and the first Water Rally dedicated to Pardo Yachts and Van Dutch models. It was a three-day celebration: a continuing celebration of life at sea and sportsmanship, and an important time of sharing for the entire Cantiere del Pardo community.