Advantages and benefits of a generously equipped boat
With all its facilities, which offer comfort and safety while cruising, the Salpa Soleil 30 is not a light boat. It displays 2.2 tons when empty. This can be felt, both positively and negatively, when sailing. This weight requires power to express itself. We tested this boat with 2 x 200 hp Yamaha. This is the power recommended by the Salpa shipyard, which recommends 350 horsepower for a single engine. The maximum power on this type of hull is 1 x 425 hp or 2 x 225 hp.
With the recommended motorization, 2 x 200 hp, the boat accelerates well, but without ever surprising the crew. Once at sea, its weight works to its advantage and the boat moves smoothly in the waves. It does not hit much. In turns, it does not heel excessively and above all offers a very good grip. The helmsman can send turns without the engines ventilating.
Speed and comfort
In terms of performance, we reached 44 knots at 6,100 rpm with 3 people on board and the water and fuel tanks half full. However, from 14 knots and 2,200 rpm, the Soleil 30 sails at high speed. The cruising speed is around 25 knots.
The bay of Cannes was quite calm the day of our test, and we had to cut the wake of the other boats to find the significant and meaningful chop. Nothing to complain about at this moment with this 9 m semi-rigid. It passes smoothly, without even interrupting the crew's conversations.
