Solaris Power 40 Open OB (2024-)

Brief Summary

The Solaris Power 40 Open OB is for those who appreciate refined Italian design and impressive performance. She accommodates four people in two sleeping areas for weekend getaways. With a fuel capacity of 265 gallons, she offers a cruising range of 138 nautical miles at 32 knots and 290 nautical miles at 6.5 knots, making an excellent yacht tender.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	39' 3" 11.97 m
Beam	12' 6" 3.85 m
Dry Weight	18,146 lbs 8,231 kg
Draft	2' 4" 0.73 m
Fuel Capacity	265 gal 1,000 L
Water Capacity	60 gal 250 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Load	2,698 lbs | 1,224 kg
Climate	80°; 50% humidity; wind 6-10 knots; wave 0-1 ft; salt

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 450-hp Mercury Verado
Std. Power	2 x 350-hp Mercury Verado
Opt. Power	2 x 450-hp Mercury Verado

Solaris Power 40 Open OB

Captain's Report by Capt. Gregg Clark

Mission

The Solaris 40 Open OB is an ideal day boat for those with a refined eye. She can comfortably accommodate four people in two sleeping areas below, making her a good weekender as well. She will also be very appealing as a yacht tender for those who seek the Italian design flare combined with impressive performance. She has a fuel capacity of 265 US gallons (1,000 L) giving her a range of 138 nm at a cruise speed of 32 knots and a range of 290 nm at a displacement speed of 6.5 knots.

Performance Review

Test Conditions

Test day brought moderate conditions with winds from the north-northwest between 6 and 10 knots and seas less than 1’ (0.3 m).  The test area was western Long Island Sound.

Performance Test Results

Once in Long Island Sound, our first tests were a series of runs focused on getting the speed, fuel burn and noise level (measured in decibels, or dBA) at specific RPM.  

Acceleration Times & Conditions*

The next tests were the acceleration runs.  Here, 2 tests were conducted and then averaged to get the time from 0 knots to select speeds.  With the Mercury 450Rs creating 450 horsepower each, the 40 Open OB got on plane at 19.3 knots in 8.6 seconds and topped out at 38.2 knots in 32 seconds.

Range and Optimal Cruise

The Solaris Power 40 Open OB has an effective range between 110 nm and 290 nm with a 10% fuel reserve.  At a cruise speed of 31.6 knots, she has a range of 138 nm.

Handling

The 40 Open OB handled very well with a tight turning radius due to the 450R outboards.  Her joystick control made docking and undocking a breeze.

Docking

The Mercury joystick system makes for easy docking and undocking.  Our test boat was very responsive to joystick inputs.  The 40 Open OB also comes with a bow thruster for use in conventional, non-joystick docking maneuvers.  

Features Review

Highlights

• Seaworthy, solid ride
• Stylist design combining subtle curves with sharp, contrasting hard lines
• Well laid out, spacious deck
• Roomy accommodations for a 40-foot boat

Exterior

The Solaris Power 40 Outboard (OB) is a stylish boat influenced by her Italian heritage.  She combines subtle curves with contrasting hard lines, making her look futuristic in her design.  She offers a well-laid-out deck with significant accommodations for a 40-foot day boat.  She is multi-purpose serving day boaters, water sports enthusiasts and guests/crews of a large yacht as a tender.

The walkways are a minimum of 19” wide and 36” high along the entirety of the deck. There are accent lights along the walkways.

Layout

The deck of the 40 Open OB has five distinct areas.  Beginning at the bow, there is a sun pad that measures 78” wide by 80” (198.12 cm by 203.2 cm) fore-to-aft.  Aft of the sun pad is the helm station that features three helm seats and a door to the accommodations to port of the helm controls.  Aft of the helm is a countertop that measures 82” wide by 18” deep (208.28 cm by 45.72 cm).  Under the counter is ample storage.  Next is a seating area for six with fore and aft seating surrounding a teak table with fold-out wings.  The forwardmost seat back flips to make a forward-looking row of running seats.  There is a refrigerator, chilling draw and ice maker under the forward seat facing the counter. Aft of the seating is another sun pad that measures 78” wide by 80” (198.12 cm by 203.2 cm) fore-to-aft.   

Bow

The forward sun pad has an embossed diamond stitching pattern and easily fits three people. The back of the sun pad raises.  The sun pad is 43 SqFt (13 SqM).  There are stainless steel rails outboard of the sun pad.

Helm

The helm station of the Solaris Power 40 Open FB is well thought out.  Everything a captain would need is within easy reach to the starboard side of the helm.

Front and center are two Garmin 19” MFDs and the Mercury DTS Digital Throttle and Shift controller that operates the twin Mercury 450r outboards.  There are auto trim tabs, a Quik chain counter and aesthetically pleasing push buttons for all relevant lights and systems.

There is a bow thruster for added control when docking in a conventional fashion without the DTS joystick.  

Visibility over the helm is good while running with a line of sight to the horizon forward throughout the range of speeds.

Three side-by-side seats reside aft of the helm station.  All are covered in soft faux leather with a diamond-embossed accent pattern.

The helm station and counter area are covered by a carbon fiber t-top.  The t-top is supported by a single carbon fiber pillar on the centerline, affording excellent visibility aft.  The headroom under the t-top is 6’6” (1.9 m). 

Interior

The accommodations are accessed via four steps descending from the port side of the helm station.  Below and forward is a berth measuring 61” wide by 78” fore-to-aft.  There is 3’ 6” of headroom above the berth.

There is a head with a shower outboard to starboard.

Down two steps aft are two single berths each measuring 32” wide by 78” fore-to-aft.  There is 2’ of headroom above each berth.

Engines

The Solaris Power 40 Open OB is powered by twin Mercury Verado 450r motors, each producing 450 HP.  These gave the 40 Open OB excellent acceleration and a solid top-end speed.

Observations

Solaris Power has built a very solid boat in the 40 Open OB.  She marries sleek Italian styling with impressive performance and a seaworthy ride.

She is a multi-purpose boat that will appeal to anyone looking to impress with a day cruiser.  She also has ample accommodations to serve as a weekend cruiser.  She will be sought out as a tender to larger yachts to serve guests and crew alike.

Anyone looking for a high-end boat to meet these needs should give the Solaris Power 40 Open OB a serious look.

Remember, life is better on a boat!

Captain Gregg
[email protected]