The Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 vs Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 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 50 2011 measures 51,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 at 48,3 feet (2016). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 tips the scales at 29 762 lbs — 962 lbs less than the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 at 28 800 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 80 hp for the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 and 75 hp for the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 79 gal and 82 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 28 800 lbs for the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 and 29 762 lbs for the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 draws 8,6 ft, compared to 7,5 ft for the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016. That 1,1-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.

The Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 uses Sloop rigging.

Hull speed is rated at 8,9 knots for the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 and 8,7 knots for the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 carries 159 gallons versus 137 gallons on the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.