Solemar, the Rebirth of an Italian Boating Icon: Francesco Ribolini Unveils New Models and Plans for 2027

Solemar, the Return to Italy and the Creation of the New SX and SE Ranges

The recent history of Solemar began in 2022, when a group of entrepreneurs based in Bergamo decided to acquire the brand, which at the time belonged to foreign owners. The goal was not simply to recover a prestigious name in Italian boating, but to build a new industrial project capable of enhancing its heritage and reviving its competitiveness.

“Our project was born in 2022, when the brand, which had passed to foreign ownership, was acquired and therefore proudly brought back to Italy,” recounts Francesco Ribolini. From that moment, a major overhaul of production took shape, organized around two families of boats that address different needs. The first is the Solemar SX range, dedicated to open RIBs, with models starting from 7.5 meters. The second is the Solemar SE range, which revives one of the brand’s most recognizable features: cabin RIBs, a segment in which Solemar has historically been a pioneer. The SE line starts from the 30-foot model and is preparing to reach 42 feet with the new flagship scheduled for 2027.

However, the shipyard’s relaunch goes beyond just the range. At the heart of the strategy is also a different conception of the relationship with the owner, based on a particularly high level of customization. “Our desire is to try to give owners an even more tailored and dedicated service, with highly customized products cared for down to the smallest detail, from systems to finishes and engines,” explains Ribolini.

The intention is therefore to offer a complete product configured to the individual customer’s needs, where every element, from technical solutions to layouts, contributes to creating a custom navigation experience.

From Italy to International Markets: Solemar’s Commercial Strategy Described by Francesco Ribolini

The Mediterranean remains Solemar’s primary commercial reference point. Italy, Greece, Turkey, and France are markets where the brand has built a solid presence over the years and from which the new course intends to restart. The strategy outlined by Ribolini entails a gradual development, beginning with the strengthening of the national distribution network: “Our commercial strategy since the restart has been to create a structured network regarding the Italian market, which is still our reference market.”

The second step consists of consolidating presence in Mediterranean countries through an increasingly widespread network of dealers and retailers. Subsequently, expansion will involve the rest of Europe and certain non-European markets considered particularly promising. Among these are the Arab countries, the United States, and Asia—territories that could offer new growth opportunities for the brand. The challenge will be to accompany internationalization with an adequate commercial structure while maintaining the identity and quality standards that characterize Solemar production.

Italian Quality and Technology: Partnerships with Honda Marine, Mercury, and Raymarine

One of the central elements of Solemar’s new course is the desire to combine the skills of the Italian production chain with technologies developed by leading international operators in the boating sector. For the shipyard, manufacturing quality represents not just a product feature, but a strategic element to ensure reliability, owner satisfaction, and value retention over time. “At the base of the project, the quality of the product and of the entire Solemar ecosystem has always been one of the core values,” emphasizes Ribolini.

In this context, collaborations with technological component suppliers take on particular importance, starting with propulsion. Solemar can count on a historic partnership with Mercury and a new collaboration with Honda Marine. These two agreements allow the shipyard to work directly with engine manufacturers to identify configurations consistent with the characteristics of its hulls. The objective is to develop integrated solutions where the choice of engine enhances the performance and navigational characteristics of each model.

On the onboard electronics front, the reference partner is instead Raymarine, with whom Solemar collaborates to integrate navigation systems and electronic instrumentation. The philosophy is to consider the boat as a complete system, where hull, propulsion, systems, and electronics must work in a coordinated manner, offering the owner a reliable and personalized product.

Solemar SX 25: A Maxi RIB in a Compact Format

Among the new products presented by Solemar at the 2026 Genoa Boat Show, the new SX 25 interprets one of the most interesting challenges for the shipyard: transferring the characteristics of a maxi RIB into a more compact boat. With a length of approximately 7.5 meters, the SX 25 represents the entry-level model of the open range, designed to attract clients looking for a versatile and relatively easy-to-manage RIB without sacrificing the quality and characteristics of superior models.

“The SX 25 aims to be a maxi RIB in a mini format, because it is a 7.5-meter RIB that nonetheless encapsulates all the values and all the peculiarities that larger models have,” explains Ribolini. The design work focused primarily on space optimization and attention to detail, aiming to reproduce on a more compact platform the solutions that characterize larger boats. The result is a model that, according to the CEO, is already gathering encouraging commercial feedback.

For Solemar, the SX 25 therefore plays a strategic role: expanding the base of potential owners and making the brand accessible even to those desiring a more compact boat while maintaining a quality-oriented positioning.

Solemar SE 30: Four Berths in a 30-Foot Cabin Cruiser

If the SX 25 represents the gateway to the Solemar world, the new SE 30 is the model that most directly recovers the historic identity of the shipyard. In fact, it is a 30-foot cabin RIB designed to offer a particularly interesting combination of exterior space and interior liveability. The distinctive element is the presence of four berths, a solution that allows the boat to be used not only for day trips but also for spending multiple days on board.

“This was the challenge we took on, the most complex one, namely optimizing volumes and onboard spaces to have a perfect blend of exterior liveability and interior habitability,” recounts Ribolini. The design required careful space distribution with the goal of preserving outdoor usability without sacrificing below-deck comfort. It is precisely this ability to combine the typical characteristics of a RIB with the usage possibilities of a small cruising boat that represents one of the most interesting aspects of the SE range.

According to reports from the CEO, the new SE 30 is also the model gathering the highest number of requests. The feedback recorded at the Genoa Boat Show, among appreciations and commercial appointments, confirms interest in a type of boat that helped build Solemar’s reputation throughout its history.

Solemar SE 42: The New Flagship Arrives in 2027

Solemar’s development program does not end with the novelties presented in Genoa. 2027 promises to be a particularly important year, both for the commercial consolidation of the brand and for the expansion of the range. The most anticipated novelty will be the Solemar SE 42, destined to become the flagship model of the shipyard’s production. “For next year, the strategy also includes the launch of a new product, the SE 42, which will be the flagship of our range and will take us even further into a superior tier both in terms of size and quality,” anticipates Ribolini.

With this new model, Solemar intends to strengthen its positioning in the high-end cabin maxi RIB segment, bringing the philosophy of comfort, customization, and manufacturing quality that characterizes the new course onto a larger platform.

The launch of the SE 42 will be accompanied by further investment in marketing activities and the development of the commercial network. The shipyard has indeed launched a program aiming to better integrate promotional and distributive strategies through targeted campaigns in reference markets and collaborations with dealers and retailers. The goal is to progressively increase the recognition of the Solemar brand, supporting sales growth in Italy and abroad.

Conclusions

The interview with Francesco Ribolini conveys the image of a shipyard engaged in a relaunch project that goes far beyond the simple renewal of models. Solemar is rebuilding its industrial and commercial identity, leveraging three elements: Italian tradition in building high-quality RIBs, the ability to offer highly customized boats, and the integration of technologies developed with international partners.

The new SX 25 and SE 30 represent two complementary interpretations of this strategy: the first aims to expand the brand’s audience with a compact open, while the second revives Solemar’s historic vocation for cabin RIBs. The next step will be the debut of the SE 42, a model tasked with consolidating the shipyard’s positioning in the upper tier of the market.

Four years after the brand’s return under Italian ownership, Solemar is thus preparing to face a new phase of development with the ambition of returning one of the historic names of national boating among the protagonists of the international maxi RIB market.

Francesco Ribolini – Sources and References

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