Salpa Soleil 23

For its first RIB, the Salpa shipyard has pulled out all the stops. Elegant yet original, the Soleil 23 showcases many qualities, from design and finishing to comfort and equipment level. First, there’s the layout. Slightly different from that of most of its competitors, apart from Marlin Boat, to which Salpa has “borrowed” its hulls marked with a teugue (an upward curve at the bow that recalls that of sport fishing boats). Next comes perceived quality, which catches the eye right away, with impeccably assembled Orca fabric pontoons, a uniformly glossy gelcoat, generous deck hardware, embroidered upholstery... Finally, there’s the relevance of the layout, with a deck plan and equipment designed to make the most of the cruising/relaxing program for families that the Soleil 23 is aimed at. As if to justify its name, the new Salpa is generous when it comes to sunbathing area: 232 x 155 cm for the forward sunpad, and 157 x 153 cm for the one at the stern. Enough for collective UV sessions... To make getting around onboard easier, Salpa has made the right decision to move the helm position to starboard, leaving a single 42 cm wide walkway on port. A boulevard scaled for a RIB! With the same attention to practicality, a passage has been created to the bathing platform by “cutting into” the backrest of the aft bench, reducing part of it. This backrest can also be folded down to form a sunpad that adds to the one taking up a large portion of the forward deck. The U-shaped aft bench is intended to turn into a friendly square, able to seat five to six guests around a picnic. In that case, you do regret that the table isn’t larger... Facing this square, the kitchenette is built alongside the helm seat. It includes a small fridge, a cutting board, a gas burner, and a sink. With the two helm positions, each featuring a half-upholstered, raised-leaning-post type seat, and the two-seater seat located at the front of the console, that gives the Soleil 23 nearly a dozen true seating places—something rare on a RIB homologated at under 7 meters. This is all the more appealing because Salpa offers upholstery with a near-perfect firmness, made of closed-cell foam plus an added comfort foam layer. If needed, two additional passengers can be seated on the port pontoon, holding onto the console grab handle and handrail. A plus also for the helm position—comfortable and efficient whether standing or seated—plus a very readable instrument panel (the steering wheel hides none of the gauges) and allowing the integration of a GPS/chartplotter/sonar sounder unit. A Fusion stereo radio is also fitted, along with a compass in the pilot’s line of sight. Well thought-out too are the two storage pockets, in mesh and plexi. The console design also provides extra room and appreciated leg security for the driver and co-driver thanks to its recessed front and integrated footrests.

The Neapolitan yard has also not been stingy when it comes to storage and deck hardware. There are plenty of large, bulky lockers, not to mention the long, narrow storage on starboard for fishing rods or a gaff. As for the deck hardware, you’ll appreciate the size of the cleats, the two bathing platforms with integrated ladder and handle (starboard), the showerhead placed where it should be, the roll-bar that supports a large bimini covering the entire aft area up to the helm station, the electric windlass (option) with its anchor stored on a low, tilting davit... Take care, however, with the protruding locker hinges that can hurt bare feet. All these good points, along with a well-sorted dynamic behavior despite the lack of power of our test boat (see “Out on the water”), make this first Salpa RIB an undeniable success.Given the quality of its construction and its beam, you can quickly tell that the Salpa 23 is a heavy RIB. It is. And you won’t hold it against it because this weight works in favor of comfort in rougher seas. Another advantage in this area is its deep V-shaped hull marked with a deadrise/step (redan) in the forward half. But these two factors mean that to reach a certain performance level—today it’s hard to imagine this kind of unit with a V-max under 40 knots—you need to use substantial power. Our test proved it. Despite its very good service record, the Mercury Four Stroke 150, which has often impressed us with its punch, failed to keep up against the Salpa from the transom. With a rather unfavorable weight/power ratio (8.4 kg per horsepower!) and in addition a hull coated with antifouling, the obstacle was simply too high. Result: 34.6 knots on our GPS, despite a trim setting at the limit of ventilation. Not enough for a boat of this caliber, especially since we were only two onboard (with a full tank) of this collective-use RIB. The acceleration times confirmed the lack of power, with 4”3 to plane (despite the planing deadrise) and above all 6”9 to reach 20 knots. We couldn’t get fuel consumption figures, but it’s obvious that efficiency is unlikely to be economical since the engine is working too hard, even at cruising speeds (only 19.8 knots at 3,500 rpm). It should nevertheless be noted that this Soleil 23 was intended from the start for rental, so the lessor chose to err on the side of a sensible power rating... Based on the figures and our feel at the helm, you would need at least 200 hp, possibly the maximum power of 250 hp, to properly exploit the nautical qualities of this RIB, which is otherwise easy and pleasant to drive.This underpowering is even more frustrating because the Soleil 23 appears well balanced, with very sure course-holding and good handling, especially in turns with precise lines and a slight slide when you bring the throttle fully open, with the advantage of not centrifuging the occupants too much. One drawback: loss of grip when you put the helm over fully. In small chop (around 50 cm) and when crossing the wake of a cabin cruiser, the hull delivered satisfactory comfort, clearing that “marine relief” without generating impacts. It will still be necessary to revisit the Soleil 23 in less favorable conditions to truly judge its sea-going abilities. Unlike most boats with a redan hull, the Salpa’s hull requires positive trim in order not to stick too much to the water surface and to feel more lively at the helm. At the dock, the guidance provided by the V-marked keel prevents the bow from wandering during maneuvers, especially in reverse.