Solaris 47 vs. Italia Yachts 14.98

Cruiser Racer Comparison

In this presentation, we compare two modern monohull performance cruisers ("Cruiser Racers") on similar design features and on distinctively different sailing characteristics.

Italian beauties, each with their own character

Classic vs Sportive

Solaris Yachts:

The venture started in the 70s in Aquileia, on the shores of the Venetian Lagoon, where first the Romans and then the Serenissima Republic left their important seafaring heritage taken up by Solaris Yachts, manufacturer of Solaris. With a total area of 26,000 sqm, including 6,000 sqm coveredd, besides building “custom” yachts, the yard has refitted and restored vessels up to 100 feet. With forty years of dedicated boat building and refitting experience, and a unique know-how, the technical department and the skilled workers of Solaris design and build top quality sailing yachts, combining technology and strength with the traditional manufacture of the incomparable wood interiors. 2018 – A new era dawns for Solaris Yachts. The historic headquarters in Aquileia have been extended to facilitate the production of each new Solaris to the optimum standards.

The shipyard produces about 55-60 yachts annually from a range that currently consists of 12 production models, ranging from 37 to 110 feet.

Italia Yachts:

Italia Yachts has been around since 2011 when they appeared on the scene with the 10.98, built at Chioggia (Venice) at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon. This yacht set out the template for what the yard would be all about – fast, stylish yachts in the Grand Soleil or X Yachts tradition. Over the years, the line has expanded, and total production recently moved to Chioggia following a company’s buyout. Italia Yachts also enjoyed something of a paradigm shift in 2015 with the launch of the Italia 9.98. This Mateo Polli-designed yacht is far more than just a fast cruiser. She is a boat that could seriously compete on the racing circuit and won Class C of the ORC world championships in 2015 and 2016. No mean feat. The yacht had been designed as both a light air flyer and much more of a pure racer than earlier models but the company found that demand for the yacht to be fitted out as a fast cruiser was very high. Therefore, the yard split the line into the more comfortable Belissima (cruising) and the Fuoreserie (racing) lines. The difference is more the extent to which the interior is different, plus type of keel and running rigging. By doing this, Italia has managed to produce yachts like the 11.98 as genuine contenders on the racecourse.The 11.98 also won the 2019 ORC World Championships in Class C. Italia Yachts are also, in detuned mode, fast, stylish cruisers.

The main difference between the two brands is:

Solaris Yachts leans towards sophisticated luxury – whereas Italia Yachts are rewarding to sail within a stylish package.

Technical specifications

Key differences

In the table below, you can see the key specifications.

Solaris 47 SA/D 23,96

Length over all

14.35, / 47'08″

BEAM

4.36m / 14.3ft

DISPLACEMENT

12.8T (light)

WATER

420 L

FUEL

370 L

ENGINE

50hp

DRAFT

2.75m / 9ft

Designer

Javier Soto Acebal

Italia Yachts 14.98 SA/D 29,9

Length over all

15.35m / 50'36”

BEAM

4.35m / 14.27ft

DISPLACEMENT

10.250T

WATER

500 L

FUEL

280 L

ENGINE

60hp

DRAFT

2.50m / 8.20ft

DESIGNER

Cossutti Yacht Design

Rig / Sails

Hull and Deck are in a sandwich composite construction using E-glass and PVC Airex core. The lamination process and bonding with the sandwich is done through a vacuum process.

Solaris 47 SA/D 23,96

Mast and rig

Aluminum mast. Mast is built one piece. Standard is a 9/10 sloop rig. The central chainplates are made in composite and fixed into the strong superstructure of the yacht. The dimensions of all shrouds and stays are defined by naval architects according to their working load. 1×19 stainless steel wire is chosen as a standard. Optional, rod rigging is available. Main – and Genoa halyard are in Dyneema. Main sheet and self-tacking jib sheet are also in Dyneema. All halyards and sheets are spliced and if necessary fitted with a shackle.

Main

70 m²

Geno 106%

59 m²

Gennaker/ Spinnaker

?m² / 200 m²

Sailing Ratio (kg's per m2 upwind sail area)

99.2

Italia Yachts 14.98 SA/D 29,09

Mast and rig

The rig is fractional with option to use symmetrical or asymmetrical head or fractional sails. The mast is tapered alloy with a high-performance profile, with a 9/10 rig with two 21 swept-back spreaders to ease the jibs’ roach. Carbon mast is optional. The high-profile alloy boom has a recessed outhaul. The wire discontinuous rigging is fit with turnbuckles. Chainplates are mounted on the hull. The wire forestay is supplied with a headfoil in plastic material. The backstay is low-stretch textile and the halyards are Dyneema .

Main

76 m²

Jib

58 m²

Gennaker/ Spinnaker

200 m²/ 230 m²

Sailing Ratio (kg's per m2 upwind sail area)

76.49

Construction & Engineering

Key differences

Comparing key elements and components in the construction techniques

Solaris 47 Construction Technique

Intro:

Unlike the mass production market, Solaris use the traditional build of hand laying the hulls, offering a more customised approach; something that may change as the popularity of these premium market yachts increase. But it does allow the company to build a variety of vessels beyond its standard range as well.

Hull and deck are constructed in a negative mould. All visible hull and deck surfaces are in high quality white gelcoat. Materials and construction are controlled by Italian Shipping Registry (R.I.N.A.). RINA is also approving the yachts construction before issuing the CE certificate.

Keeping costs reasonable means that the hull is polyester sandwich (but carbon versions on larger models are available).

Structurally, these are stiff boats thanks to the main bulkheads being bonded to the hull and deck and constructed from composite foam sandwich. The hull and deck are of vacuumed PVC Airex Core in polyester and the keel-stepped mast sits on an integrated fiberglass grid connected to the longitudinals.

From the Yard:

Every model in the Solaris range, unlike other mass production yachts on the market, is built in accordance with the strict standard rules of the Maxi Ocean Yachts. Yet it is principally at a structural level that Solaris boasts a unique feature that makes the yacht stiff, solid, and stress-resistant: the main and the other structural bulkheads are built in composite, with a minimum of 40mm thickness and are fully laminated not only to the hull but also and most importantly of all to the deck, thereby avoiding the mass-production method of silicone bonding.

The particular method of connecting hull and deck is virtually unique in the boat building world, due to the high cost and the fact that it cannot be executed on a mass production basis, and delivers superior stiffness to the entire yacht. The main bulkhead and the main connecting reinforcing structures behave as a unique “structural cage” that bears the local loads of a yacht such as the stresses of the mast, chainplates, and keel. In this way, the yacht is unaffected by any deformation and torsion in all sea and wind conditions. Moreover, the fact that there are no inner moldings facilitates inspection of the yachts’ structural heart and other vital organs. Even the joinery, being laminated to the hull, becomes a structural fitting of the yacht

The chainplates are not made in steel and are made of 28 vacuum bonded layers of uni and bidirectional fibers. The keel, provided with a stainless steel flange plate, AISI 316, with a thickness of 30mm and size according to the yacht’s dimensions, is connected to the hull backing plate by means of no. 12 stainless steel bolts of at least 30 mm.

Yacht-Match Comments:

Solaris Yachts pride themselves and are known in the professional world as the yachts that are built for “strength and safety”. It is quite evident that they are referring their engineering -and building techniques to the larger production series yards of France and Germany, seen repetitively in their marketing material and presentation online.

Every yard emphasizes the superiority of how and why they build yachts the way they are built. For Solaris, it’s about the “monolith” aspect of their building, where they claim that their use of one material only with only one mechanical characteristic: fiberglass.

Solaris use only composite, and not wooden, bulkheads and laminate them to the hull and most importantly of all to the deck and build composite chainplates (instead of steel) creating the “monolith” or “cage” where everything is firmly connected with a unique characteristic: composite bulkhead laminated to hull and deck, fiberglass hull-to-deck connection, longitudinal and transversal structure (girders and floors), composite chainplates. This is the cage made of a single material that supports and receives all the major loads coming from mast, chainplates and keel.

Solaris claims “the uniqueness” of its building technique: the way of creating an interconnection and “structural cage” paired with using resin bonding, which is simply NOT TRUE, as several of their more closer competitors (among many others) such as: Grand Soleil, X-Yachts, Italia Yachts, RSC Yachts, and also Eleva Yachts use more or less the same technique. Solaris concludes that “other boatyards” (referring to the large series production yachts of the German and French shipyards with a substantially lower purchase price than any Solaris) use 5 materials with 5 different mechanical characteristics such as deck in fiberglass, filler to bond the inner molding of the headlining to the deck, silicone to bond the bulkhead to the inner headlining, wooden bulkheads.

It’s actually only the main bulkhead and the forward bulkhead that are made in composite.

Solaris does however provide a well-thought process that not many other shipyards apply themselves, which is in the high load areas of the yacht, they have reinforced the parts with unidirectional and bi-directional Carbon fabrics and the Airex core is replaced with a higher density foam or marine plywood.

Viktor: “The seacocks are built through and through the hull, all flush, and are made of nickel-plated brass, quick operational, easily accessible. Upon lifting the floorboards, you can find that the keel bolts are oversized and the keel uses a flange to spread its load throughout the hull. Stiffness is further enhanced by the deep lead bulb, which could support a sizeable racing sail wardrobe. Needed, as the yard makes no claim to be the lightest cruising performance yacht, rather they claim to be a better build series production yacht offering more stiffness and structural integrity than other popular series production yachts.”

Dirk: “With their stunning presentations at the Düsseldorf boat shows the past years, Solaris attracted a lot of attention from the audience. Solaris yachts are nicely designed and well finished. These fast cruisers have a lot to offer cruising-orientated crews. The well-appointed interior breathes a luxury feeling. Underneath the spacious cockpit, you’ll find storage for a deflated tender.”

Hull

Hull and Deck are in a sandwich composite construction using E-glass and PVC Airex core. The lamination process and bonding with the sandwich is done through a vacuum process.

Rig / Sails

Aluminum mast: • Furlex manual jib furler, mounted below deck. • Harken tracks, cars and leading blocks. • Standard is a 9/10 sloop rig. • Mast is stepped through deck, 3 pair of spreaders. • Tapered on masthead. • 3 Pairs of spreaders, bolted through the mast. Boom: Manual outhaul system. • Solid vang. • 1 mainsheet attachment. • Equipped for 3 reefing lines. Rigging: 1x19 wire rigging and stays. • Stainless steel wire rigging and stays. • Optional rod rig. • Hydraulic manual backstay cylinder NAVTEC with integrated pump of proper dimensions for backstay.

Keel

• The bulb keel is designed and built for high speeds and guarantees performance and stability. • The keel ballast is made of lead /antimony. • The keel fin is made of a resinbonded steel construction, which is attached to the hull by stainless steel bolts. • The keel is treated and protected by epoxy products.

Rudder

Balanced rudder in GRP-Airex core. • The rudderblade is reinforced by steelframes, welded to the shaft. • Stainless steel shaft. • Two compasses. • 1.000 mm steering wheels.

Italia Yachts 14.98 Construction Technique

Intro:

Each element is up to the highest quality standards and has been developed to guarantee the owner a solid, performing, safe and long-lasting boat, for a true luxury sailing experience. The IY 14.98 hull and deck are lightweight and stiff by virtue of the sandwich construction with biaxial and unidirectional fiberglass preg with vinyl ester resin and carbon structures. The IY 14.98 is built and rigged in Italy by skilled and highly qualified workers.

Hull and deck are laminated foam sandwich with differentiated density PVC core; the unidirectional and biaxial E-glass fibres are laminated with vinylester resin. Plates are included in the structure to increase resistance where the deck hardware is mounted. The collar of the mast is structural. There is a structural carbon-reinforced frame glued and laminated to the hull bottom. The structural bulkheads of the Italia 14.98 are made of marine plywood 15 mm to 25 mm thick and are glued and gusseted to the hull and deck. The deck is glued and laminated to the hull. Hull and deck are finished in gelcoat; walkable areas are prepared with antiskid from the female mould. Cockpit benches and cockpit floor are covered with teak

Yacht-Match Comments:

The hull lines of any racer cruiser yacht and particularly the Italia Yachts, are designed specifically to lengthen the water line and increase buoyancy (and therefore increase the boat speed) while remaining symmetrical even up to medium-high heel angles, this allows the IY14.98 to be mounted with a large sail plan, with a particular focus on lightness and giving superior control and handling even at high heel angles.

Partly why Italia Yachts have been so successful and been gaining so much good praise and commondations as of late, is their pedigree from the racing world.

The objective of the IY 14.98 was to find the optimal size to build and accommodate for an owner particular interested in the comfort of a cruiser but with a racing interest. Precisely with this objective in mind the structure of IY14.98 was designed, looking for high-level structural rigidity but trying to maintain a marked lightness and therefore excellent performance in terms of speed and maneuverability.

To do this, the Italia Yachts shipyard and the naval design and architects tried to combine the great experience of Italia Yachts on the race course with the equally great experience of a more than the renowned study of structural design, obtaining a mix halfway between the structures that can be found today in a high performance cruising yacht and a pure thoroughbred racer.

The main structural heart of the yacht is composed of the grid, a structure pre-laminated in carbon and fiberglass and finished by a layer of gel coat. It consists of unidirectional fibers to guarantee structural rigidity in the rigging and keel, then longitudinally and transversely. To ensure the grid absorbs and redistributes all the loads, it is not simply glued in place but forms part of the hull by being bonded and tabbed in place.

A basic concept for excellent structural rigidity, longitudinal but above all transversely, is the structural continuity which is obtained with a closed ring to release stresses across the hull and deck. This is what Italia Yachts call their “Ring Frame. This is fundamental for the standing rigging of the mast, in IY14.98 this is obtained starting from the Y-shape of the shrouds, which continue down the structural rib into the grid. This also ties into the deck as once it is joined with the hull they form a one-piece structural ring with an overhead that is specifically built to work as an internal finish and form a structural component.

Italia Yachts uses vacuum bag infusion. The vacuum bag infusion process is an alternative structural lamination technique to manual lamination. In this process, a precise amount of epoxy resin is infused into the layers of carbon and glass and uniformly saturates the laminate. This creates a light but extremely durable structure. The fabrics are laid bidirectionally with added reinforcement of high load area with unidirectional carbon fibers. The core PVC foam and solid laminate in areas of high load. Infusion has major advantages over manual lamination, as well as being controllable at every stage of the process in a repeatable way, without the need of the operator’s hand, this allows better absorption of the epoxy resin and this has a positive impact on the quality of the composite: less material (and this guarantees more lightness) and a better ration of fibers per unit of material composite, i.e. better mechanical properties.

The hull lines, the specifically studied structure and the construction technologies used, combined then this allows the IY14.98 to carry a powerful and oversized sail plan with respect to the size and especially the weight of the boat. This requires careful and correct allocation of weight on board but above all the use of a ballast the guarantees an adequate righting moment.

The T-keel with lead torpedo (ORC) is designed in two different sizes, 3m (9′ 11″) and 2.5m (8’4″) and the shape of the foil used has been studied through fluid dynamic analysis software specifically to optimize the blade in IRC competition. A shoal draft 1.9m (6′ 3″) keel is available. With a stainless steel core to ensure its secure rigidity and stability, it has a shell laminated by vacuum bagged infusion on a female mold in order to ensure the molding precision of the keel profile and therefore the perfect flow of the fluid dynamics.

Viktor: “I particularly noticed the difference the yard pays extra attention to certain structural points of importance, such as the rigging attachments, not because they have to, but because it’s expected of a yacht with this much pedigree. The yard uses a Y-shape attachment for unloading the rigging stresses that has a twofold advantage, a reduction in mechanical connections each of which could lead to structural weakness and above all a better hull load discharge capacity of the stresses coming from the rigging.”

Dirk: “If you are a sailor who feels some competitiveness sprouting up when sailing alongside another yacht. If you are receptive to the technical superiority of high-tech constructions. If you value the opportunities a semi-custom build yacht has to offer, the Italia Yachts 14.98 with her lightweight hull, infusion technique production, and her shipyard, which is client-focussed enough to listen to your demands, could be the best choice.”

Hull

Hull and deck are laminated foam sandwich with differentiated density PVC core; the unidirectional and biaxial E-glass fibres are laminated with vinylester resin using a vacuum infused bag process.

Rig / Sails

Keel

The keel is T-shaped with a lead fin and a ballast bulb (for ORC) or can be a simple fin (for IRC). The geometry and wing profiles are created and optimised via high-tech software tools, also used by America’s Cup designers.

Rudder

The rudder blade is laminated on female mould with PVC core. The rudder stock, with a CNC-machined circular biconical section, is in Anticorodal 6082 anodised alloy. The rudder bearings are self-aligning with rollers. Steering can be tiller or twin wheel.

Exterior

Some noticable differences in the exteror deck layout and design

Solaris 47 Exterior

From the yard:

With this latest model Solaris surpasses the standards set by itself. The Solaris 47 is the first and only model in this size to combine all the features and innovations to enable a high-performance boat to be easily sailed even with a small crew: recessed track for the self-tacking jib; only 2 winches at the helmsman’s position with which you can control all the lines; clear separation between the guest and crew areas; dedicated liferaft compartment with easy access; watertight large-size and functional sail locker; tender garage to stowing the tender and the outboard engine.

The weight distribution and the hull volume defines a high performance hull shape even in adverse sea conditions, with high stability coefficients to maintain sail area even in strong winds. As with all the yard’s models the production of the 47 follows the exclusive Solaris methods developing a strong and stiff monolithic hull. The interior layout with 3 cabins and 2 bathrooms was studied at the yard in a full size mock-up, only with this process can you truly test the ergonomics of all components designed in 3D; the interior layout has a classic galley to port with forward owners cabin. The craftsmanship in the joinery and the assembling of all components at the Yard ensures an enviable standard of quality.

The objective view:

The Italian Solaris 47 is intended to meet both sides of the performance-cruiser equation – and reward the discerning sailor. Plenty of volume allows for a semi-flush deck profile which is particularly suited to regatta sailing but in cruise mode the discreet spray dodger can be elevated.

On deck the artificial teak cladding and hidden halyards, along with flush hatches, give that Swan-like flavour while the wide and open cockpit is functional with twin binnacles. Forward of them, and divided by a passageway large enough for dedicated trimmers to work, are two sets of electric Harken Performa 60.1 winches. One set controls the German mainsheet which is secured on a single block; and jammers are ideally placed allowing all lines to feed into these winches.

More quality finishes included sturdy composite binnacles, solidly bolted and glassed into the hull, while the carbon Jefa steering wheels add to the stylish feel of the Solaris 47. The binnacles house B&G screens on each (with repeaters on the main hatch), compasses and the obligatory autopilot. Power controls are conveniently placed on the starboard binnacle with other controls at ankle height. Another wise option is the drop-down Maxpower bow thruster, allowing easier berthing.

Locker space is good in the cockpit with bench storage on both sides, including a dedicated liferaft space, and aft hatch for quick access to the dinghy garage. The open transom leads to the hydraulic teak-clad swim platform which drops to nearly sea level, allowing the inflatable dinghy to be easily launched with its electric Torqeedo engine.

An effective surface for walking along on the wide decks, with outboard shrouds giving a clear way to the foredeck. Good points to note include handrails on the coachroof, folding cleats all round, including midships and an integrated fibreglass toerail that helps on the foredeck when heeled, although not so comfy for hiking.

Italia Yachts 14.98 Exterior

From the yard:

The IY 14.98’s lines show a boat with a racing DNA but ideal for cruising too, with its ample exteriors designed for the family, with a typically Italian flair and style, where aerodynamics blends with Made in Italy full flavor.

Hull lines are sleek, with a flat stern incorporating a comfortable one-step swimming platform. All the manoeuvring can be easily done from the cockpit, and the embedded recesses enable the deck to stay clean from lines and equipment.

The reduced wetted surface and the high dynamic length enable to reach considerable speeds, even in light airs, typical of a pure racer, and making cruising more fun. The cockpit includes a classic storage space under the seat, plus an insulated compartment that can be used as an outside icebox, close to the helmsman and the guests.

The classic longitudinal rails, to trim sails from the cockpit, are embedded in the superstructure to keep the side passage clear and at the same time get the best trimming angle. The long windows on the deckhouse are split to allow single openings and guarantee good inside air ventilation. The hull design, with its deep V bow shape and extremely balanced volumes on the whole boat length, guarantee a very soft wave piercing movement.

The objective view:

The cockpit is open aft but can be closed by a removable teak covered transom/swim platform (optional) There are:

n° 2 Side lockers
n° 2 Lockers aft
n° 1 Locker in the cockpit to accommodate the liferaft

At the bow a windlass and chain locker are provided and, aft of this, a sail locker accessible from a separate hatch.

First look and the lines are seductive, there is a substantial beam carried aft but this is not a simplistic Dairylea slice design; the boat tapers aft to a vertical, rounded transom with no chines. The entrance is long and fine with a plumb bow -and sprit for your kites. If you go for a Fuoreserie version, this sprit is substantially longer, boosting overall length from 15.47m to 16.45m.

Step aboard and the cockpit layout is simple and unfussy. There is a broad bathing platform which lifts up to enclose the cockpit nicely although this is a removeable option that may be eschewed by hardcore racers.

The twin wheels on pedestals are set well aft and all the lines are led through channels in the cockpit coamings and emerge at twin banks of jsmmers just by the helmsman’s side, where the two pairs of Harken winches take up the slack.

The mainsheet utilises the German system so can be adjusted from either helm and there is no need for a traveller on the Belissima version.

The cockpit is large and roomy and there are modestly dimensioned lockers on the bench seats which, combined with twin aft lazarette lockers plus a dedicated locker set in the middle of the cockpit for the liferaft, plus a deep sail locker at the bow adds up to decent amounts of storage.

The cockpit can be fitted out with synthetic teak and and the side decks can be fitted out too. The decks are uncluttered and the low coachroof is unobtrusive.

Interior

Key difference in the interor design and layout between the Solaris 47 and the Italia Yachts 14.98

Solaris 47 Interior

The objective view:

Down below, the three-cabin layout has the ensuite owner’s forward with two doubles aft and there’s a second bathroom here as well. A choice of finishes includes matching-grain light or dark oak throughout the saloon, with the former variety adding a bright ambience on the review boat. Superb finish and the close mating of joints really shone on this fit-out with high quality metal cupboard and door fittings throughout.

The U-shaped couch is forward and the lounge is opposite to starboard. The dinette table is solid wood with two chairs midships (pinned to the cabin sole) while the chart table is ideally placed near the companionway, allowing the navigator seated on a stool to easily view the cockpit and the starboard side via a rectangular portlight.

There’s bulkhead space here for electronics and the main electrical panel is in an overhead locker. Opposite, the L-shaped galley is well-equipped with a three-burner stove/oven, chest and front-opening fridges ande dual sinks to finish off this excellent area. Options include a generator to run a microwave and air conditioning.

The composite work surfaces and tall fiddles should allow easy food preparation and there’s an opening hatch above the stove. Hatch space throughout is good with rectangular hull portlights, coachroof windows and two opening skylights.

The owner’s ensuite uses the tall topsides and plumb bow to create an airy cabin with island bed (with storage beneath, even with the thruster fitted) and it’s surrounded by overhead lockers and tall wardrobes. The ensuite came with an upgraded electric head and a perspex door separating the shower, with a quality teak grating underfoot.

Looking aft, the two double cabins offer conventional berths but one can be divided into singles. Natural light is limited through the two small hatches. Unlocking and lifting the hinged companionway steps on their gas struts reveals the 75hp Volvo sail-drive which has sufficient space around it for servicing, especially when the side access doors from each cabin are removed; and the main batteries are nearby as well. Our review boat had a feathering propeller, which is an ideal option to reduce drag on a performance cruiser.

Additional comments:

She befits a stylish, successful owner who likes to entertain friends or business acquaintances with weekends away, or wants to spend a long summer sailing shorthanded over the horizon.

italia Yachts 14.98 Interior

The objective view:

Saloon

The saloon is composed of a “C” sofa and a moulded teak table; on the opposite side there is provided a further sofa; ample storage space and cabinets to the sides.

Chart table

Dedicated chart table with seat, stowage compartment and instrument panel.

Forward cabin

It is equipped with a large double bed, n° 2 wardrobes with shelves and hangers, a 4 drawer compartment under the bed for storage with access from the horizontal plane of the bed.

Aft cabins

They are equipped with a large double bed and wardrobe with shelves and hanging space.

Head compartment

There are two bathrooms, one in the owner’s cabin with separate shower and one with access from the saloon and port aft cabin; both are in VTR and are provided with teak grating on the floor, mirror and cabinets and marine toilets. The sinks are provided

Additional comments:

Up on deck you have an extremely stylish and purposeful yacht. Yet it is down below that the true Italian-ness of this boat shines through. Bear in mind that this is a 47’ monohull and layout options are limited, as is the ability to be innovative.

Yet Italia has really thrown the kitchen sink at this interior in its will to do something stylish. Interior designer Mirko Arbore is described on his own website as ‘the best hidden secret of Italian design’. He generally designs palaces, luxury villas and even private jets and you can imagine his frustration at the relatively modest confines of an Italia 14.98. Yet, he has done all he can. I imagine with much theatrical gesturing. Certainly the Italia team conceded that there had been certain ‘challenges’ working with him.

The result is, well, to quote my favourite be-paunched member of the Chipping Norton set, very Italian. There are mirrored bulkheads to increase the sense of space, innovative use of textiles and an extraordinary three level lighting set up which creates a resplendent ambience by night. It won’t be to all tastes but, by hell, it’s very bloody Italian and I did rather like it. Storage was decent and the quality of the fit out was very good.

Key highlights

Key Highlights between the Solaris 47 and the Italia Yachts 14.98

Solaris 47 Key highlights

Italia Yachts 14.98 Key highlights

Solaris 47 Pros- & Cons

attractive lines
interior with an almost classical look and feel
keel stepped mast
recess in the coach roof for the dodger
oversized keelbolts
dedicated liferaft locker

Italia Yachts 14.98 Pros- & Cons

strong & lightweight construction
large bathing platform encloses the cockpit
modern interior
keel stepped mast
Bellisima & Fuoriserie versions
highly customisable
regatta pedegree