Design and Construction
The Solaris 74 RS measures 22.00 m overall, with a 20.76 m waterline and a 6.10 m beam. Light displacement is 40.6 t, balanced by 10.5 t of ballast in a 3.50 m cast-iron fin. An optional shallow draft is 2.90 m and trades the standard 3.50 m fin’s ballast profile. The yacht is certified RINA Class A Oceanic for unrestricted ocean passage making.
Soto Acebal curated the waterlines, hull lines, and sail plan. The modern hull geometry carries bow buoyancy through a small chine that fades down the topsides, while an extremely round stern opens to twin rudder blades.
The deck and hull come from female moulds. The yard builds the sandwich structure with closed-cell PVC; the inner skin is resin-infused, and the structure is bonded using vinylester from an epoxy base, with unidirectional centreline reinforcements. In the bow sections of the hull bottom, the foam density rises to 130 kg per cubic metre over a thickness of 35 mm to resist wave impact.
Solaris resin-bonds the furnishings, bulkheads, and chainplates to the structure. The build also keeps the carpentry within nautical tradition.
Rig, Deck, and Handling
The aluminium mast and boom carry 250 sq. m of sail on a 100% bow triangle. Sail area comprises a 138 sq. m mainsail and a 102 sq. m 90% jib, with rod standing rigging.
The mainsheet leads to a central point and is operated by an electric pedestal winch. Forward, the deck remains clear apart from the self-tacking jib track.
Twin independent steering systems provide redundancy. Their axes are linked by a tie rod, allowing either wheel to drive both rudders.
The large cockpit spans the full beam. Its off-axis entrance to starboard leaves the port cockpit table unobstructed; the aft section of that table lifts to form a sunbathing platform.
Machinery Access
The engine compartment sits beneath the saloon sole. Access is through a sealed opening with a neoprene hatch, and the compartment is enclosed by a 45 mm acoustic barrier. The saloon soleboards lift to provide full access to the machinery, while hinged aft steps offer a quicker secondary entrance.
The source’s full description of the engine hatch and its 45 mm barrier is cut off, so the evidence doesn’t state the exact closure details.
Accommodation
The raised-saloon arrangement is available in three interior plans. Each includes a large dinette with a port settee and table, a linear settee opposite, and a forward-facing chart table with stowage.
Argento limited the use of live oak and added more white surfaces to soften the forms and brighten the interior. Low, radiused panelling wraps the saloon and banquettes, and some decorative panels open using a button set into the horizontal surface. Unused spaces become lockers, and all corners are rounded.
The first plan has a forward owner’s cabin with an island berth, desk, and private shower. A double cabin and head sit aft, with an L-shaped galley to port and another double cabin to starboard. The crew cabin, with its own head, is forward of the aft galley.
The second plan reduces the size of the owner’s cabin to make room for two aft doubles; the starboard cabin has bunks.
The third plan places the crew cabin forward of the owner’s stateroom and moves the galley to the foot of the mast.
The first three hulls were delivered with the owner’s cabin forward and the galley and crew accommodation aft. The aft crew space has its own hatch.
Tender Garage and Aft Terrace
The aft garage accommodates a 4 m tender. A fold-down bridge from the garage forms a sea terrace.
The Verdict
The Solaris 74 RS is a thoroughly modern ocean cruiser, combining Soto Acebal’s performance hull with Argento’s calm, bright interior and clever use of volume. Twin rudders, a clear foredeck, and a central mainsheet give her the equipment and layout of a serious passagemaker. The semi-custom accommodation plans let an owner balance guest capacity against owner privacy without giving up the shared dinette or full machinery access.
Pros
- RINA Class A Oceanic certification, with 40.6 t displacement and 10.5 t of ballast for bluewater capability
- Twin independent steering systems linked for redundancy
- Three semi-custom layouts, with crew accommodation and full machinery access through the saloon sole
- Large aft tender garage, a sea-terrace bridge, and capacity for a 4 m dinghy
Cons
- Some construction documentation is truncated, leaving the exact closure specifications unstated
- The optional shallow 2.90 m draft trades the standard 3.50 m fin’s ballast profile
