There is an Italian boat that has driven Americans crazy. The Solaris 50 has been voted Sail magazine’s best boat of the year 2017, in the over 50-foot category. The Yankees in particular were impressed by its streamlined design and clear deck with a very low deckhouse. But that’s not all: performance, ease of operation, made-in-Italy level construction. The Aquileia (Udine) construction site left nothing out. The 2014 project is by Argentine Javier Soto Acebal. Let’s find out, in ten points, about the boat that drove Americans crazy.
THE SOLARIS 50 IN 10 POINTS
1 – After the sea confirmations of the 44, 58 and 72 hulls, the 50 hull represents the evolutionary step of Soto Acebal’s designs where hull balance is manifested with high performance and smooth passage over the wave;
2 – Functional and minimalist deck equipment distribution – only 4 winches near the wheels – to allow comfortable maneuvering from the wheelhouse, thanks also to the self-tacking jib with recessed rail;
3 – Fully retractable spray hood;
4 – Integrated bowsprit to tack sails for new generation of load-bearing gaits such as gennaker and code0;
5 – Cove sails of a size to allow for a sailor’s berth;
6 – Also the second bathroom with separate shower and attached waxed closet with a drip pan in the shower bilge;
7 – Aft cabin with 2 separate beds of standard size;
8 – Better distribution of space in dinette: larger galley with storage and drawer refrigerator: possibility of 2 chart versions–sideboard and traditional–both with guard berth vs. sofa;
9 – Spacious tender garage for boat stowage with aft hatch allowing extraction without turning;
10 – Dedicated raft compartment.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.
Overall length 15.40 m
Length at waterline 14.25 m
Beam max 4.55 m
Draft 2.8 m (2.6 – 2.35 optional)
Displacement 14,200 kg
Ballast 4,900 kg
Sup. sail mainsail 85 sqm
Sup. sail genoa 75 sqm
Engine 55 – 75 hp
Water tanks 500 l
Fuel tank 350 l
Javier Soto Acebal Project
Lucio Micheletti Interiors
Solaris Facilities Design Team
THE OTHER AWARDEES
