Cantiere del Pardo, which this year has celebrated its 50th anniversary and has become part of the Calzedonia group, is constantly producing new boats. At the Cannes Yachting Festival 2023, staged last 12-17 September on the Côte d’Azur, the shipyard presented three new projects that we could see starting next year.
Two new motor boats and one sailing yacht, all destined to leave their mark on the reference markets: Grand Soleil 52 Performance, VanDutch 75 and Pardo 75 (T-Top) will be Cantiere del Pardo’s new creations, once again underlining how the company continues its creative drive in pursuit of excellence with a range that never ceases to amaze and renew itself.
Grand Soleil 52 Performance: the myth is back
Here the concept of renewal is total: the new Grand Soleil 52 Performance sailing yacht will be the current version of a true legend. Inspired by the lines of the legendary Grand Soleil 52 originally designed by German Frers in 1987, this new addition marks the return of a pillar in the Grand Soleil range. At the time, approximately 60 units were produced of a yacht described as “a masterpiece destined to last”.
The new Grand Soleil 52 Performance was designed by Matteo Polli and Nauta Design and takes up the elegance of its progenitor (starting with the Navy blue lines of the beautiful line) and the same harmony of shapes that has always distinguished the range. She is available in two versions, “Performance” and “Race“, to satisfy the needs of owners who expect that little bit extra without compromising on quality and comfort.
Built entirely in sandwich plate, the GS 52 Performance has been studied to make the most of its volumes and offer living areas large for a yacht this size, without affecting the weight. The keel of the Performance version has a spheroidal cast iron blade, while the Race version has a keel with a steel blade; the draft is 2.70 metres with the possibility of reducing it to 2.30 metres.
On board there is a 75 horsepower Volvo Penta (an 80 horsepower Yanmar is also an option) with saildrive transmission and bow and stern thrusters with brushless motors, which ensure reduced maintenance and very little noise.
The deck plan and sail plan are designed differently in the two versions: the “Performance” version features an “easy sailing” deck plan with 4 winches at the stern, a standard self-tacking jib and standard carbon bowsprit; the cockpit is not involved in any manoeuvres so that it can be safely used by guests. The “Race” version, however, features 6 winches, longitudinal rails for the jib, rlarger sail plan and a carbon bowsprit that is 90 cm longer than the standard version.
The cockpit is furnished with benches with an innovative and ergonomic design and guests can esaily enjoy it even while underway. There is certainly no shortage of storage space and the boat is even equipped with a tender garage.
Below deck is a large dinette, with a chart area in the bow and a C-shaped galley with 3 fridges to ensure a pleasant stay on board even for longer periods.
There are three cabins: the owner’s cabin is in the bow, with its own bathroom, while the VIP cabin in the stern (with double bed or two singles) can have direct access to the bathroom as does the guest cabin on the left, which features a double bed.
The finishes, as always at Cantiere del Pardo, can be customised by the owner and there is a wide choice of oak, grey oak, teak and contrasting dunnage that give the elegance typical of Grand Soleil.
Van Dutch 75: a new chapter
A new flagship for the Dutch brand acquired in 2020 by Cantiere del Pardo is about to be launched. Van Dutch 75 represents a new era in Made in Italy design, given by the desire to reinterpret the successes of the past.
Her debut will be at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024, and the aim of this new model is to redefine the VanDutch style in a more Mediterranean and contemporary key, which also refers to the reference segment.
The design, entrusted to the Ravenna-based BurdissoCapponi Yacht&Design studio, has given way to a new interior concept where the brand’s typical black&white “lacquer” has been revisited with a black and material essence contrasting with the nobler and lighter materials.
Internally, the VanDutch 75 features two layout options, one standard and one optional; both configurations feature ta comfortable crew cabin, with two bunk beds and bathroom with shower as well as a wardrobe and washing machine/dryer column. The standard version includes a large dinette with open-plan kitchen, transformable sofa and VIP cabin with its own bathroom, which has two doors because it is also used as day toilet. At the stern are two cabins: the twin cabin with its own bathroom and the owner’s cabin with bathroom and large wardrobe.
The optional version with 2 cabins and 3 bathrooms differs from the previous one due to the large aft owner’s suite, which has a desk, sofa and walk-in dressing room, worthy of boats that are decidedly larger.
In addition to the layouts that look to the world of superyachts in VanDutch 75, the use of suede for the upholstery (with quilted stitching derived from the world of retro luxury cars), the fabric of the canopies, the lacquering of the slats and other fine finishes make the difference in terms of both quality and customization available to the customer, a very important focus for Cantiere del Pardo.
Interesting details on the new VanDutch 75 are: the new Soft-Top that is inserted to protect the spacious lounge area but without changing the visual volumes typical of the brand, an external dinette with double sofas that rewards conviviality, and the special “Luminous Porthole“.
This unique invention has been designed to characterize the walls without windows with an element that becomes a decorative object and at the same time recalls the idea of a porthole, meaning space, airiness and openness towards the outside thanks to the integrated lights.
The boat will be powered by a triple IPS engine that guarantees a top speed of 40 knots, easy manoeuvring and greater safety even at high speeds.
Pardo 75 T-Top: a floating villa
A year after the presentation of the Pardo GT75 comes a new 75-foot Walkaround with CDP concept, Zuccheri Yacht Design naval architecture and interiors/exteriors by Nauta Design.
The Walkaround range will now also have a new flagship to be unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, with more space in the sleeping quarters and exteriors, but without altering the great performance of the boatyard we are used to.
The profile of the Pardo 75 has a unique style and the T-Top enhances it even more: made of carbon fibre, this element protects the central lounge area. In the standard “galley up” version there will be an external galley on the right-hand side and a mobile bar aft of the helm station, two large relaxation areas fore and aft, and two folding terraces on the side that increase the available space by 5 square metres.
The wide stern platform is not ‘only’ a terrace on the sea but also a place to get tenders and marine accessories in and out of the water. Very flexible for fittings and layouts reminiscent of Pardo 75 superyachts, the standard version will have three cabins and three heads, but there are two other versions available: one with a large saloon inside, two cabins and three bathrooms, and the other with a galley on the lower deck, two cabins and three bathrooms.
Power comes from three Volvo Penta D13 IPS 1050 engines, capable of propelling the Pardo 75 up to a top speed of 36 knots, as well as saving fuel thanks to the eco-speed parameter, thus paying particular attention to the issue of sustainability and environmental pollution of our seas.
