The Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 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 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 at 51,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 tips the scales at 40 600 lbs — 10 838 lbs less than the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 at 29 762 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 35-hp advantage over the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 82 gal and 79 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 52 LC 2017 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 caps at 15. 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 10 838-lb difference over the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 at 29 762 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 — 8,6 ft and 8,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 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 75 hp on the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 9,4 knots for the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 and 8,9 knots for the Grand Soleil GS 50 2011. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 carries 238 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.
Bottom line: The Grand Soleil GS 52 LC 2017 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 40 600 lbs displacement and 56 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Grand Soleil GS 50 2011 at 29 762 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.