The Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 vs Grand Soleil GS 72 LC 2023 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 72 LC 2023 measures 77,9 feet overall (2023), giving it roughly 29,6 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 72 LC 2023 tips the scales at 71 650 lbs — 42 850 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 195 hp, the Grand Soleil GS 72 LC 2023 has a 115-hp advantage over the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016's 80-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 72 LC 2023 carries 329 gallons versus 79 gallons in the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016. 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 72 LC 2023 is rated for 23 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 72 LC 2023 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Grand Soleil GS 72 LC 2023 displaces 71 650 lbs — a 42 850-lb difference over the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 at 28 800 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.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Grand Soleil GS 72 LC 2023 draws 12,1 ft, compared to 7,5 ft for the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016. That 4,6-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. Helm style differs too: the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 uses a 2 wheels versus a 1 tiller on the Grand Soleil GS 72 LC 2023. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Grand Soleil GS 72 LC 2023 carries a 195-hp engine against 80 hp on the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016. 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 72 LC 2023 carries 304 gallons versus 159 gallons on the Grand Soleil GS 46 LC 2016 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.