Minimum basic equipment for more freedom
At a little over 700,000 euros excluding VAT, the Solaris 55 offers top-of-the-range materials, a quality of manufacture and irreproachable finish, but at this price no sail set, even basic, is included and most of the fittings and equipment will have to be ordered in addition, not to mention the electronics and comfort elements. This commercial policy is in adequacy with a demanding clientele which will tend to want to choose equipment carefully selected even from suppliers not shortlisted by the shipyard. The motto of the building site is quite explicit on the commercial documents specifying that its teams are with the listening of the desires of its customers.
A non-exhaustive list of options
A very recent partnership with watchmaker IWC demonstrates the desire to get off the beaten track with a more urban decoration. But let's face it, the customer is king and the degree of personalisation and equipment has few limits other than the customer's purse, as long as his or her desires are not detrimental to the intrinsic qualities of the boat. Our test model was the proof: Hall Spars carbon mast and boom, Allgrip paint, ecru white woollen carpet, oversized fridges, high-tech sail sets... The owner, who had owned Swans before, did not hesitate to perfect the level of luxury and performance. The exception at a price and this first Solaris 55 came out of the workshops at a little over 1 200 000 euros HT, but at this price your boat is unique and will give you the most complete satisfaction.
What about the competition?
These cruisers with the look of modern, fast, elegant, a little exclusive, and capable of lining up for beautiful races as well as cruising and being admired in ports, represents a niche quite coveted by some manufacturers. The world's leading yachting group, Bénéteau, has also got its teeth into the business with its new First Yacht 53 ? Wider, it brings a look even more evocative of performance while pushing back the limits of urban style comfort at an optimized price (full test drive very soon). The Swan 54 is the segment benchmark, however its slightly more classic lines and the absence of a garage annex can be a brake on seduction, as well as the price. In the same spirit and by the same architect, German Frers, Euphoria tries to provide a similar response at a more attractive rate, but suffers from the same shortcomings as the Swan. If Big Sun doesn't, at this point, have an answer in this size, X-yachts for its part, is preparing a new 56' and offers a more luxurious version of its XP 55, which is not as customizable, like the First yacht, as the Solaris and the Swan. All in all, we are getting our money's worth, but no more than that.
