In July 2024, our team took on an exciting yacht restoration project in Southampton: restoring a Grand Soleil 50 named Juniper, owned by a passionate sailing family based at Portland Marina. This yacht restoration project was focused on optimizing Juniper for offshore racing and ensuring her readiness for the ARC Atlantic crossing.
This family had long nurtured a dream of embarking on the ARC Atlantic crossing—a feat that would test their sailing skills and Juniper's endurance. With Juniper brought to our Southampton yard, we faced a series of challenges that required not only skill and precision but also dedication, as time ticked down toward the starting line of the ARC race.
Project Overview: Grand Soleil 50 Yacht Restoration for Offshore Racing
Type of Boat: Grand Soleil 50
Name of Boat: Juniper
Base Location: Portland Marina
Project Location: Southampton
Work Undertaken: Sparcraft mast and boom refurbishment, standing and running rigging replacement, deck hardware upgrade, and optimization for offshore racing.
A Family's Dream
This project began when a family of longtime sailing friends decided to take a step towards their dream of sailing across the Atlantic, joining the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). When Juniper arrived in our yard, she was originally here for a simple standing rigging replacement.
However, as we began to unstep the mast, we discovered unexpected issues that required urgent attention to meet the demanding offshore standards of the ARC race. Time was of the essence, and we extended our work schedule to 24/7, utilizing all available expertise to ensure Juniper was ready for her adventure.
What is the ARC Race? (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers)
The ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) is an annual event that gathers sailors from around the world to cross the Atlantic Ocean. It typically begins in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and finishes in Saint Lucia.
This 2,700-nautical-mile journey is not just a race but an incredible adventure that tests the endurance of both sailors and their yachts. For many participants, the ARC is a dream voyage, offering the opportunity to cross the Atlantic safely in the company of other cruisers.
Meeting Challenges Head-On
During the restoration, we discovered several unexpected issues that required parts not readily available from the original manufacturer. Our dedicated workshop stepped up, fabricating custom components to ensure Juniper's mast and rigging could withstand the stresses of an Atlantic crossing.
Our commitment to the project became round-the-clock, with our skilled craftsmen dedicating their time and effort to finish the restoration with precision and care.
Work Carried Out
Mast Unstepping and Inspection: We began by unstepping the Sparcraft mast, conducting a detailed inspection, including Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of the structural components.
Spreaders Refurbishment: Refurbished Sparcraft spreaders with new outboard ends and custom hard-milled aluminum doubler plates to reinforce the mast wall around spreader crossbar exits.
Custom Halyard Sheaves: Designed custom hard deadlines halyard sheaves.
Stainless Steel Protective Halyard Exits: Installed stainless steel protective exits to improve durability.
Mast Base Refurbishment: Completed a thorough refurbishment of the mast base to ensure it could handle offshore conditions.
Chainplates: Conducted acetone cleaning and testing of chainplates.
Vang Refurbishment: Refurbished the vang with a new gas strut for optimal function.
Standing Rigging Replacement: Installed all-new standing rigging, including roll swage terminals from Blue Wave manufacturer.
Running Rigging Replacement: Equipped with racing-spec lines from Armare manufacturer for optimal offshore performance.
Mast Electronics Upgrade: Upgraded mast electronics, including the installation of Mantagu Navipor LED lights for enhanced visibility.
Boom Refurbishment: Refurbished the Sparcraft boom to complement the mast work.
Mast Restep and Rig Tuning: Completed mast re-stepping, rig tuning, and a full recommissioning of the yacht.
Test Sails and After-Service Checks: Conducted a series of test sails, followed by after-service checks at different locations to ensure readiness for offshore racing.
Final Preparations
With the deadline looming, our team’s dedication ensured that Juniper was fully optimized and ready for her transatlantic journey.
From mast refurbishment to rigging upgrades, each step was taken with the family’s goal in mind: to fulfill their dream of completing the ARC crossing. By the time Juniper left our yard, she was not only restored but transformed—ready to tackle the Bay of Biscay and the expansive Atlantic beyond.
Juniper is now ready to take on the Atlantic, and we wish her and her crew fair winds and following seas as they embark on this incredible journey.
Customer Testimonial for Yacht Restoration
John, Owner of Juniper: "First Spars, led by Pav, stepped up at short notice to replace the standing rigging on our Grand Soleil 50 in preparation for our transatlantic later this year. In lifting the rig, a number of issues were discovered that required a mast refurbishment—this was completed professionally and to a high standard. As I write this review, the rig has experienced a tough Bay of Biscay crossing, and we are delighted with the quality of the work. Highly recommended to others…"