When the shipyard in Aquileia announces a "small boat", it is no less than twelve metres long. Yacht designer Javier Soto Acebal, who has always worked for the Italians, has now also drawn up the plans for a new, powerful 40-footer. The Argentinian has obviously modelled it on the attractive lines of its larger sister Solaris 44, which was launched in 2019.
However, the boat will have more and even larger hull windows. And the design in the cockpit is new and different: the dents in the cockpit are shorter in comparison, and the running deck no longer extends all the way to the stern. This allows the yacht builders at Solaris to position the steering columns as far out as possible, directly on the hull. For the helmsman, there are then only two folding stools available aft. And the recessed traveller rail installed in the cockpit floor can be longer and therefore more efficient. The high and powerful rig offers the option of a self-tacking jib or a short overlapping genoa with hoisting points on the running deck.
The sporty T-shaped keel with lead bulb is available in two draught variants (2.40/2.00 metres), and double rudder blades are specified due to its wide stern. A large stern storage space is accessible through a hatch in the rear cockpit floor. Additional sails such as the gennaker or a code zero can also be stored here. A folding bathing platform also fulfils the requirements of cruising sailors.
Solaris Yachts has also largely adopted the layout of the larger 44 for the interior design. This means a spacious owner's cabin with central island bed and en-suite bathroom with shower in the foredeck, two double cabins aft and a second, smaller bathroom aft in the saloon.
The new Solaris 40 will cost 343,900 euros ex-shipyard, including VAT and the mainsail and jib. The Italians are considering showing their new boat at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf in January. The first launch of construction number 1 is already scheduled for October.
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
