The Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 vs Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 measures 55,7 feet overall (2017), giving it roughly 10,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 at 45,4 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 tips the scales at 40 600 lbs — 18 400 lbs less than the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 at 22 200 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 110 hp, the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 has a 60-hp advantage over the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 carries 79 gallons versus 53 gallons in the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 displaces 40 600 lbs — a 18 400-lb difference over the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 at 22 200 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,4 ft and 8,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 is rigged as a Sloop while the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 carries fractional_rig_sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. For auxiliary power the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 carries a 110-hp engine against 50 hp on the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 carries 238 gallons versus 79 gallons on the Grand Soleil GS 42 LC 2020 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.