The Grand Soleil GS 56 2002 vs Grand Soleil GS 58 2016 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Grand Soleil GS 56 2002 at 55,5 ft versus Grand Soleil GS 58 2016 at 57,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Grand Soleil GS 56 2002 tips the scales at 41 888 lbs — 221 lbs more than the Grand Soleil GS 58 2016 at 41 667 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 150 hp, the Grand Soleil GS 58 2016 has a 50-hp advantage over the Grand Soleil GS 56 2002's 100-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 58 2016 carries 211 gallons versus 106 gallons in the Grand Soleil GS 56 2002. 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 58 2016 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Grand Soleil GS 56 2002 caps at 16. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Grand Soleil GS 58 2016 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 41 888 lbs for the Grand Soleil GS 56 2002 and 41 667 lbs for the Grand Soleil GS 58 2016. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 10,2 ft and 9,6 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Grand Soleil GS 56 2002 is rigged as a fractional_rig_sloop while the Grand Soleil GS 58 2016 carries 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 58 2016 carries a 150-hp engine against 100 hp on the Grand Soleil GS 56 2002. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.