Solaris Power 52 Coupé Review (2024 Edition)

With a heritage stretching back to 1974, Solaris has been building sailboats and lobster boats for 50 years now. The 52 Coupé is the latest introduced by their new Power division, and it continues the theme of hand-crafted, solid boat building. Underpinned by the same hull shape used across their fleet, the 52 Coupé was designed by Brunello Acampora at Victory Design, alongside Solaris' in-house team.

The sharp bow and flare are designed to aid the boat’s passage through waves and deflect spray away from the boat, despite its clean lines. This hull is built for stability without the need for stabilisers. One of the most striking features is the curvature of the hardtop — it flows from the superstructure and is a lovely piece of GRP engineering. 

Solaris prides itself on its woodwork. The standard is oak but there's the option to upgrade to teak or walnut. The detailing is superb, for example in the the fluted pattern on the fridge/freezer door, where the stainless steel handholds become part of the pattern. The detailed craftsmanship continues to the exterior teak, something that's nicely executed across the board.

There's an open-plan layout on the lower deck which is best used for families, as there's not much privacy. Furthermore, buyers can select an option to partition off this area if the plan is to host guests, but you'd lose the light and open feel.

Powering the 52 are a couple of Volvle Penta IPS engine options. You can choose between the IPS650s with twin 480hp or the IPS800s with twin 600hp. The latter is likely to be the more popular option, delivering a top speed of 33 knots, while the smaller engines provide 29 knots. If you're looking to cruise comfortably at around 25 knots, the bigger engines will make it easier, and there's plenty of room in the engine bay to accommodate them.

The saloon of the 52 Coupé might feel a bit narrower due to its wide side decks — despite this, the area opens up beautifully to the outside, due in part to the pop-up window at the back. Additionally, there is the optional drop-down window package, which includes large windows on either side that can be lowered with a control. This is particularly handy when cooking, as it helps draw out smells and brings in fresh air.

Unlike the usual placement of a sunroof over the helm station, Solaris has positioned it over the saloon which makes sense in a way. The saloon will make the most out of the natural light provided, and it's a place where you will be spending a lot of time, eating or watching TV. The TV is a pop-up, which slots in behind the helm station when not in use.

The galley is well-equipped, featuring a domestic-size fridge and freezer, and a wine cooler by the door under the window. There's also a large sink with a cover that neatly slots away at the back when not in use. There's the option to install a dishwasher and there is also plenty of undercounter storage.

Guest Accommodation

The open-plan sleeping area forward on the lower deck has a big double bed with two large hull windows on either side. The headroom is generous, and the overhead hatches offer excellent natural ventilation and light.

In this three-cabin configuration, you’ll find a twin cabin to port. While the headroom here is a bit restricted, the berths themselves are a good size and benefit from a nice slice of hull window. Light might not be as abundant as in the master suite, but it’s perfectly adequate.

Adjacent to the twin cabin, you have another nice cabin that benefits from direct access to the dayhead — which also serves as its ensuite. 

In the two-cabin layout, the bulkhead shifts, changing the twin cabin into a single berth cabin, utility space, or a cosy spot for kids, accessible only from on deck. This alteration would significantly enlarge the double cabin, possibly making it spacious enough to be the master suite.

The helm station on the 52 Coupé is a really good space. It has triple MFDs, providing a flexible display setup for presenting all the required information. The double bench seating is a bit of a mixed bag. While it’s nicely positioned close to the controls for ease of use, the fixed bolster is a bit of a shame. A split bolster would have allowed one person to stand while the other sits.

Adjustability is its strong point, with the steering wheel's position being movable to ensure you’re always in command. One small complaint is the absence of an integrated side door. Side doors make it very convenient for moving around the boat and assisting with crewing duties. There are, at least, manual windows on both sides to give some fresh air to the helm.

One of the most practical features of the 52 Coupé is its tender garage, something that is shared with the open version. The garage rises to reveal space for a 2.45m (8ft) tender.

The standard bathing platform is fixed, but there is the option to upgrade to a hydraulic one. This nifty feature drops into the water, offering easy access for a swim or boarding from the tender. It's worth mentioning the equal access provided from both sides up into the cockpit and there are boarding gates to add some protection of you have small children on board. These gates are quite satisfying to operate, clicking neatly into slots.

In the cockpit, the table is suitbly large given this is the only outdoor dining space on board the boat. It also rises and drops, allowing you to infill with a cushion to create a massive sun pad. If you prefer shade, there is an optional electric sunshade that extends from the coaming above. The backrest here also drops flat to maximise the sun pad if you want to stretch out.

There’s plenty of storage underneath the seats too, but if you require even more, a storage unit can be added in front of the interior door. However, do note that this would eat into quite a bit of the cockpit space.

The side decks don't have traditional guard rails, instead, the high bulwarks provide plenty of protection when moving forward ti handle lines or operate the anchor.  The detailing along these top sides is particularly impressive, with a lovely teak capping, and pop-up cleats that are substantial and can ben raised to two different heights. 

Now, you might think that the lack of guard rails could be a downside when it comes to handling fenders. However, Solaris has cleverly integrated sockets along both sides of the deck. These sockets allow you to easily slot in the fenders and remove them when needed, solving the potential issue without compromising on the 52's clean look.

The foredeck area is dedicated to sunbathing, quite important for a yacht that does not have a flybridge. The sun pad here is expansive, providing plenty of space to lie in the sun. Detailing is spot on, with lovely rounded handholds, deep cup holders, and pop-up lights to provide low-level illumination for evening chill-outs.

There's also an integrated bench at the front which would be the perfect spot for slow-speed cruising, perhaps when manoeuvring in and out of a marina. 

The anchor locker is a clever use of space. It's very deep, equipped with an Ultramarine anchor and a rail for fender sockets, where they all can be plugged in. This means they are easy to get to and store, keeping the rest of the boat uncluttered. It just goes to show that beneath the stylish exterior, there’s good practical thinking at play.

The access point in the cockpit and the hatch isn't enormous, but once you’re down there, the space is genuinely good. The 52 Coupé isn’t just about how it looks on the outside; it’s clear that Solaris has really considered the engineering as well. There isn't standing headroom but the layout around the engines is well-thought-out, with plenty of space to navigate.

This model we saw features the larger IPS800 engines, on a bigger block than the smaller D6 engines. Even though the tender garage does nibble into the space overhead a bit, there's still room to get around and access the pods.

The fuel tanks are isolated right at the front, but they’re not tucked away or covered, so still accessible. Similarly, the fuel filters are within reach. The battery boxes come with lids, which means you can use them to stack things without risking any damage to the batteries. If you do want a gyro stabiliser, there’s a big, dedicated space forward of the engines.