Both brands are represented in the UK and Ireland by Key Yachting. Nautitech catamarans and Tofinou day boats complete the portfolio for the business. Mark Mansfield from Cork manages Key Yachting in Ireland and congratulates all those who have topped the leaderboard in all the major regattas this year.

It’s been a high-performance year for the brands. In every one of four these big regattas, the winners of the two big boat classes were either a J Boat or a Grand Soleil.

ICRA Nationals and Calves Week winner - J/122, Kaya, Frank Whelan, Greystones SC

The results speak for themselves.

Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race

• Winner overall Nieulargo & winner Class Zero: Grand Soleil 40-Denis and Anna Marie Murphy, Royal Cork
• Winner Class One: J/99 Juggerknot 2, Andrew Algeo, RIYC.

Sovereigns Cup

• Winner Class Coastal/Zero: Grand Soleil 44, Bob Rendell, HYC
• Winner Class One: J/99, Snapshot, Mike and Richie Evans, HYC

Calves Week

• Winner Class 0/1: J/122 Kaya, Frank Whelan, Greystones SC
• Winner Class 2: J/80, Red Cloud, Norbert Reilly, HYC

ICRA Nationals 2021

• Winner-Class Zero: J 122, Kaya, Frank Whelan, Greystones SC
• Winner-Class One: J 109-Storm, Pat Kelly, HYC

Sovereigns Cup Winner J/99, Snapshot, Mike and Richie Evans, HYC Photo: Bob Bateman

Nearly all the boats are purpose-designed to combine premium cruising and racing making the results of J/Boats and Grand Soleil even more impressive.

The business has a focus on Premium + Performance which has shown this season here in Ireland. If you would like to cruise quickly in a Premium Brand or compete competitively on the racecourse, it is hard to look beyond the J /Boats or Grand Soleil brands from Key Yachting.

For further information, contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or at 00353 87 2506 838.

Grand Soleil and J Boats will be showing at Dusseldorf 2022 in January. Grand Soleil will have its Brand new Grand Soleil 44, and J Boats will show the new J/45, J112e, J/99 and J/70. Call Mark now to set up a private viewing.

The Alexela ORC World Championships took place from August 6 – 14, 2021, in Tallinn, Estonia.

Key Yachting Irish agent, Mark Mansfield, is delighted to congratulate Essential 44 for winning her Class at the 2021 ORC worlds at Tallinn, Estonia, which finished last Sunday week.

At the same Regatta, the J112e Matilda 4 won Class C. Key Yachting is the UK and Irish agents for Both Grand Soleil and J Boats. The result for the Grand Soleil follows on from her sister ship, Samatom, owned by Bob Rendell from Howth, winning her IRC class at the recent Sovereigns Cup in Kinsale. It shows that these new Matteo Polli designs are fast in Both IRC and ORC handicap systems.

The J112e result follows up on similar designs finishing first and third in Class at the 2021 Cowes Week Regatta.

Unlike many of the designs at the ORC Worlds, both the Grand Soleil 44 and the J112e have fully fitted and luxurious interiors for cruising purposes.

For further details and results of the ORC, worlds see here

For information on either of these models or any Grand Soleil or J boat model, contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or 00 353 87 2506838.

Both models will also be on display at the 2021 Cannes Boat Show from the 7th to the 12th of September. Contact us to arrange an appointment to view either.

Britain's biggest boating festival, the Southampton International Boat Show at Mayflower Park, is coming soon, 10-19 September 2021. With Government travel restrictions having lifted, those double-vaccinated can enjoy a trip "abroad" by visiting Southampton, which is currently competing for the UK City of Culture award 2025.

The show features everything the leisure marine industry has to offer. Ranging from paddleboards to superyachts and all the products and services you need to enjoy life in, on or around the water – you will find it at the show.

The Key Yachting team will proudly showcase three exceptional boats for this year's event, the Nautitech Open 46 (4 cabins), J/99 and Grand Soleil 42 LC (2 cabins).

The Nautitech Open 46 (4 cabins) is an excellent catamaran offering cruise, volume, speed, comfort, and a sleek and elegant design. The living room and the cockpit have been merged to gain space - it's the essence of the "Open" concept. The living room of the Open 46 offers beautiful volumes, like an invitation to enjoy daily life in an exquisite and warm atmosphere. The interior is chic, made of dark wood with bright natural light and neat details in stainless steel. Come and be inspired by this elegant boat.

Nautitech 46 Photo: Nautitech Boats.com

The J/99 does it all - combining excellent sailing performance and stability with below-decks comfort in a boat that just one or two people can sail. The deck layout and sail plan are optimised for easy handling, while the roomy cockpit accommodates 8+ for fun day sailing. Want to jump into the next adventure-style overnight race or cruise rally and can't find crew? No problem. The J/99 will reward you with easy, high-speed sailing, whether solo, twin, or with the whole gang.

J/99 Snapshot Photo:Bob Bateman

The J/99 is a standout and a new boat into Ireland, with "Snapshot" owned by Michael and Richard Evans winning its class in a competitive fleet at the Sovereigns Cup 2021, one of Ireland's biggest regattas.

The Grand Soleil 42 LC (2 cabin) is a model of the Blue Water line. This boat offers comfort, generous spaces and sailing autonomy. The 42 LC is available in two versions: standard or sport. The former is equipped with aft benches and a carbon arch over the cockpit, designed to keep this area free of the mainsheet traveller. This boat is a fantastic pedigree and a premium brand, always offering good performance and speed, even in cruising models.

Grand Soleil LC42 Photo: Grand Soleil

The Southampton International Boat Show organisers have taken Covid precautions seriously and added new features and more space – making the show bigger and better than ever before.

If you are looking for some sailing inspiration, to enjoy some social time, fine dining, or just the opportunity to attend a real-life event, then this is a show not to miss.

Come and say hello to Mark Mansfield, our Key Yachting Irish agent. Mark is a top-level competitive sailor, and his experience includes competing in four Olympics from 1992-2004 and has been professionally sailing and consulting since 2015. Book a meeting for the show now.

Tel: +353 87 2506838 and email: [email protected]

Following on from the excellent showing in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, The Grand Soleil and J Boats brands have again displayed their racing prowess by winning the Sovereigns Cup Overall, coming first and second in the Largest IRC Class—Coastal, and finishing in all three podium position in the hotly contested Class 1.

As previously reported, The Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race was won by the Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo, owned by the Murphy Family from RCYC, who also took Class 1. All class two podium positions were taken by either Grand Soleil or J Boat models. The J/99 Juggerknot 2, owned by Andrew Algeo from the RIYC, took the class win.

Roll on two weeks, and many of the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle boats were again in action at the O'Leary Insurances Sovereigns Cup. The two big classes were Coastal which had 17 entries, and Class 1, with 13 entries.

In IRC Coastal Class, first, second (joint) and third on the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race were competing. Also competing was Bob Rendell's new Grand Soleil 44, Samatom, which raced with cruising headsails in the D2D race. For Sovereigns Cup, she had her new racing headsails. A very tight regatta in varying conditions over the four days brought very close racing, with the results going down to the wire.

In the end, Bob Rendell's Grand Soleil 44, Samatom, from Howth Yacht Club, with Key Yachting Irish Agent Mark Mansfield calling tactics, took the class win by 1 point, counting a first and 2 seconds.

Second overall was the Murphy Family's Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo. The one-off Ker 37, Jump Juice, rounded off the podium.

The Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo, owned by the Murphy Family from RCYC, took second in IRC Coastal Photo: Bob Bateman

In Class one, 10 x J 109's and a new J99 went head to head. Mike and Richard Evans new J/99 Snapshot got the better of all 10 x J/109's to take the class win by 9 points and, in so doing, was also awarded the overall Sovereigns cup as the top IRC performer of the regatta. Second overall was the J/109, Artful Dodger from the home club, recently purchased through Key Yachting brokerage by Finbarr O'Regan.

A great result in his first big regatta. Third overall was the J/109 Storm owned by Pat Kelly from Howth.

In her first regatta, Richard and Mike Evans new J/99 Snapshot, Winner Class 1 IRC and Overall winner of the Sovereigns Cup Photo: Bob Bateman

If you want to compete at the top end of IRC racing in Ireland, look no further than the Grand Soleil and J/Boats models. Not only are they fast, but they are also very comfortable and are true cruiser racers. Key Yachting is also the agent for Nautitech Catamarans and Tofinou dayboats.

For further information on any of the Key Yachting brands in Ireland, contact Irish Agent for Key Yachting, Mark Mansfield, at [email protected] or 087 2506838.

Key Yachting is the Irish Agent for J Boats and Grand Soleil (also Nautitech Catamarans and Tofinou Day boats).  They are thrilled to see models from each of the Grand Soleil and J Boat ranges perform so well in the D2D race.

Overall Winner and winner of Class 1 was Denis and Annamarie Murphy's Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo. Warmest congratulations to Denis and the Murphy family, plus all their crew.

Winner of Class 2 was Andrew Algeo's J/99, Juggerknot 2. Second in Class 2 was Simon Knowles J/109, Indian, and completing the Key Yachting Brands hat trick in Class 2 was John Treanor's Grand Soleil 34, Justina.

Andrew Algeo's J/99—Winner Class 2

Simon Knowles J 109 Indian, second in Class 2

John Treanor's Grand Soleil 34—Justina 3rd in Class 2

On Line Honours, Robert Rendell's beautiful new Grand Soleil 44, Samatom took second over the line, followed closely by Chris Power Smith's J/122 Aurelia in third.

Robert Rendell's New Grand Soleil 44, Samatom—2nd on line honours

Showing the dual purpose nature of the J Boats and Grand Soleil brands, many of the above-mentioned yachts are taking a few days cruising back to Kinsale for Sovereigns Week, or back to their home ports.

If you are looking for a boat that will win prizes at a top-level and where you can also cruise in comfort, look no further than the J Boats or Grand Soleil ranges.

Mark Mansfield is the Irish Agent for Key Yachting and can be contacted at [email protected] or at 087 2506838.

Italian yacht builder Grand Soleil has launched a 72 Performance model. 

The objective of the new design was to launch a boat with very generous volumes to ensure ample comfort onboard while maintaining high levels of performance.

Grand Soleil recently celebrated 40 years of producing award-winning performance cruiser-racers. Built by Cantiere del Pardo, they are the epitome of Italian design, performance and style.

The 72-footer will be the result of a completely new and 'Made in Italy' design process, with a team of professionals representing Italian excellence in the international nautical sector.

The 72-footer will be the result of a completely new and 'Made in Italy' design process

The building of the new yacht will be supervised by project manager Franco Corazza. Matteo Polli has been in charge of naval architecture, Marco Lostuzzi worked on the structures and Nauta Design designed the general layout, the deck and the interiors.

The interior layout of the Grand Soleil 72

Technical Specifications
Grand Soleil 72 Performance

More details on the new model here

Mark Mansfield is the Irish agent for Key Yachting, the UK and Ireland agents for Grand Soleil. 

Please contact Mark at [email protected] or call on + 00 353 87 2506838

Mark Mansfield, Irish agent for Key Yachting, has announced that two Grand Soleil designs have been shortlisted in the 2020 British Yachting Awards.

In the Cruising Yacht of the Year class, The Grand Soleil LC42, which premiered at the 2020 Dusseldorf boat show last January has been nominated.

In the Performance Yacht of the Year, The Grand Soleil 44 performance has been nominated. The Grand Soleil 44 performance has just premiered at the Genoa Boat show this month and will be on show at Dusseldorf in January.

In addition, the J Cup Regatta, successfully held just a month ago, just for J Boats, has been nominated as Event of the Year.

To Enquire about either of these nominated Grand Soleil Models, or any others in the Key Yachting range (Grand Soleil, J Boats, Tofinou or Nautitech ) contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or at 087 250 6838

Key Yachting is delighted to scoop three nominations in the  British Yachting Awards 2020

Key Yachting is thrilled to have received a nomination for this prestigious award that is decided by the sailors themselves. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from the J Boats community for the J-Cup in 2020, so please do support us again by casting your votes.

The 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup celebrated the 21st birthday of the annual regatta, with 50 boats and some 200 sailors competing. The event included racing for two national titles, as well as Covid-secure socials in Cowes.

Cruising Yacht of the Year: Grand Soleil 42 LC

Grand Soleil 42 LC

Italian boatbuilders Grand Soleil have once more excelled themselves with the introduction of the new 42 LC. This is a performance cruiser that simply oozes class topped with plenty of clever touches for the long-distance sailor.

Performance Yacht of the Year: Grand Soleil 44 Performance

Grand Soleil 44 Performance

Grand Soleil has struck a balance between cruiser and racer with the sporty 44 providing thrilling performance on the racecourse while remaining a well-mannered yacht.

Voting is now open and the winner in each category is often decided by a handful of votes, so every vote counts!

Vote here

Voting closes at midnight on 15 November.

Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a 40L DryBag.

Following its announcement this past January at boot Düsseldorf, Grand Soleil’s new 44 Performance model has enjoyed its world premiere at the Genoa Boat Show in Italy.

The Grand Soleil 44 already has an impressive pedigree, with Nieulargo and Eleuthera among the familiar race-winning names in Irish waters.

The Performance version promises even more, and Mark Mansfield of Kay Yachting previously outlined the combination of comfort, cruising and racing excellence that the Grand Soleil 44 Performance epitomises.

For further details on this or any other vessel in the Grand Soleil range, contact Mark at [email protected] or 087 250 6838.

Mark Mansfield, Irish agent for Grand Soleil, highlights recent Irish sailing successes on different Grand Soleil models and looks forward to the New Grand Soleil 44 Performance being similar

The much-lauded Grand Soleil 44 performance was announced at Dusseldorf Boat Show last January, and much is expected from this proper "cruiser-racer". The first model of this range has been launched and will debut at the Genoa Boat show at the start of October.

Grand Soleil has a history of producing 'Proper Yachts' that are handmade, thus keeping excess weight to a minimum and ensuring that, though they are beautifully fitted out inside, they also can race very competitively. Recently, the Murphy family's' Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo from Cork Harbour won the Fastnet 450 race, among other races. This is a fully fitted out cruiser-racer, with teak decks, which can match and beat many full race designs.

Nieulargo, Grand Soleil 44—Fastnet 450 winner, pounding upwind Photo: Bob Bateman

A year or two ago we had the previous model Grand Soleil 44, Eleuthera, taking all before her, virtually unbeatable. She, likewise, had a fully fitted out cruising interior. Back in 2014, the Grand Soleil 43, Quokka, formed an integral part of the Irish winning Commodores Cup team that year, having just won Cork Week overall with straight wins. Though tricked up for racing, Quokka had a fully fitted out cruising interior.

Eleuthera, an older model Grand Soleil 44, winning Cork Week in 2018 Photo: Bob Bateman

Not many yacht manufacturers can claim their designs are proper cruiser racers. Some claim this, but in reality, few manage it. The time and effort that is needed to keep the weight down, particularly in the ends of the boat, means the normal mass-produced "cruiser-racers" end of being cruisers that can race but will not be that competitive on handicap.

Grand Soleil Performance 44 interior layout

In the case of the New Grand Soleil 44 performance, this boat can be had in a Race mode (with a slightly lighter interior and the deck layout designed for a full crew, or the cruiser/racer model, with a full cruising interior and a deck layout to suit less crew. Both will be fast, just tweaks for individual preferences. Both will be able to be cruised in great comfort.

(Above and below) Grand Soleil Performance 44 interior

In these COVID times, those wanting a comfortable Cruising interior for cruising in waters more local (or abroad) with the family, and still wanting to cut their teeth in the top-level racing scene have few options. Grand Soleil has to be on the wish list, and this new 44 Performance has to be close to the top of that list in this size range. 

Grand Soleil also has a specific Cruising range, the Long Cruise line where the Long Cruise 42 and Long Cruise 46 have been selling very well.

For further information on the Grand Soleil 44 performance, or any of the Grand Soleil Range, contact Mark Mansfield at [email protected] or ph 087 250 6838

Royal Cork Yacht Club's Grand Soleil 40 Nieulargo is the latest entry into this June's SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race from Wicklow that gets underway in just over 15 weeks time.

Denis and Annamarie Murphy's well-proven Italian marque has been a force to be reckoned with on the south coast (especially in a breeze) and was the winner of RCYC's Yacht of the Year in 2018. 

And it's not the first foray offshore for the Murphy family's most successful all-rounders as they were entrants in last year's Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race too.

Nieulargo brings to 34 the number of entries so far for the Round Ireland that is attracting considerable international interest this year. Wicklow organisers are aiming for a 60-boat fleet and with 15 weeks to go, and entries running typically very late there is still every chance this will be met for its 21st edition.

One of those skippers yet to declare is the weekend Class One winner of the RORC Caribbean Race. Royal Irish skipper Michael Boyd leads the race for a Volvo Car prize in this year's Race but only three points separate the top four skippers overall and the RIYC man has yet to reveal his boat of choice for the 700-miler.