SOLARIS 68: A PEARL NESTLED IN THE BAY OF CANNES

Probably one among the most expected world premières at Cannes Yachting Festival, the last creation of the Aquileia-based shipyard doesn’t live up to expectations. The Solaris 68, designed by Javier Soto Acebal, is simply beautiful. The use of this adverb is actually appropriate in this case since the hard work of designing and manufacturing has resulted into an elegant boat with very clean lines, equipped with a deck where every rigging disappears under the floor and any equipment is part of a perfect harmonious play.

We’ve visited the Solaris 68 this morning before other visitors crowded her and we’ve seized the opportunity to admire the majesty of her large unencumbered deck. This characteristic is admirable both for those looking for large relaxation areas on board and crew members involved in the maneuvers inside the cockpit. The latter is ideally split into two different areas: a zone, which stretches from the transom to the lateral sides of the boat where two winches are positioned on each side, is exclusively dedicated to maneuvers; a second one, on the contrary, is an elegant space furnished with a central dinner table and side sofas designed for guests.

The Solaris Yachts 68 is a boat designed for off-shore navigations and long-range cruises, built according to some specific standards dictated by a shipyard that has always paid particular attention to the sturdiness of its boats. It is no coincidence that this boat features a fiberglass hull and carbon fiber mast, deck and stays.

The result is a boat with an overall length of 20.80 metres and a displacement of 29 thousand kg – 10 thousand of which come from the keel.

Like other Solaris boats, the new 68-footer, too, offers many customization possibilities to meet any owner’s needs. In this case, the owner has preferred to remove the standard tender garage in the transom by maintaining a huge locker between the two rudder wheels, flanked by two additional compartments which accommodate life rafts.

Furthermore, the owner of this model has decided to equip his boat with a single rudder blade instead of the twin ones envisaged by the shipyard. As already mentioned above, the deck is completely unencumbered and all riggings disappear under the mast basis below the teak flooring. A series of wall portholes contribute to give this sensation of extreme order.

The sailing plan measures 264 square metres and includes white sails, a lifting stay sail and two running backstays.

Spaciousness and elegance are the key players of interior spaces. First of all, the Italian boat manufacturer has selected refined materials for the construction of its latest creation, including precious walnut whose natural grains contribute to create a very harmonious play of lines.

All spaces are flooded with a great amount of natural light. Interiors include three cabins. More specifically, the master cabin, positioned in the forward section, is very large and equipped with an en-suite bathroom. The other two ones, on the contrary, are located in the stern, equally equipped with en-suite bathrooms.

A large dinette furnished with two wall sofas and a dinner table alongside a functional fully-equipped galley positioned in the forward section and a crew cabin complete the interior arrangement.

Finally, an element of great interest is the raised level where the dinner is located. This is a solution that, despite the presence of some steps to enter the fore and astern sleeping quarters, has a double function. First of all, a technical function: under the flooring, in fact, a large locker has been created to accommodate all boat’s systems, the shaft-drive engine, the generator and the water and fuel tanks. The second function is more aesthetical, since the greater height of the floor offers an excellent visibility.