Hardly any other shipyard epitomises the elegance and nobility of yachting as much as Solaris Yachts from Italy. The noble manufacturer from Aquileia, not far from Udine, has been building sailing yachts for decidedly sporty and sophisticated demands since 1973. Their high performance, consistently attractive appearance and high value have become trademarks.
Of course, this also applies to the Solaris 44, which can now be seen as a new addition to the impressively sophisticated stand of the Italian yacht builder. The shipyard's second-smallest boat adopts the DNA of its larger sisters Solaris 50, Europe's Yacht of the Year 2016 (test in YACHT 3/2016), and the Solaris 55. All three designs were created by Javier Soto Acebal, and the boats also feature an almost identical cockpit layout. All sheets, halyards and trim lines lead back below deck to two sheet winches arranged side by side directly in front of the free-standing helm station. This makes the concept almost fully suitable for single-handed sailing. And the deck and cockpit remain free of lines even on the new model. However, there is no more space aft on the boat for a large stern garage with stowage space for the dinghy.
In contrast, the Solaris 44 now has a permanently attached bow nose to which a code zero or a gennaker can be attached and which also serves as an anchor holding device. As an alternative to the short overlapping genoa, the ship can be fitted with a self-tacking jib on request. Like the Solaris 55, the 44 is also built with two rudder blades at the wide stern, which should simplify and improve the sailing and steering characteristics, especially on longer trips.
The quality of the shipyard's interior fittings is generally considered exemplary. The workmanship on the 44 is also first-class down to the last detail; this alone makes a visit to Solaris Yachts' latest star worthwhile. The standard interior fittings include the owner's cabin with island bed and optional en-suite bathroom with shower cubicle in the foredeck. Two generously proportioned double cabins are located aft, spatially separated by a centrally installed technical duct.
For guests on board, there is a second wet room at the rear of the saloon, also with a shower option. The many windows and hatches in the cabin superstructure and in the hull create a bright, light-flooded living ambience, visually enhanced by the choice of light-coloured oak wood. However, Solaris offers numerous alternatives with other types of wood and different finishing materials.
The Solaris 44 has a base price of 354,620 euros on its price tag, including 19 per cent VAT. The new Solaris 44 can be seen until next Sunday at boot in Düsseldorf in the Hall 16 at stand A 18.
