Solace boats are ingenious, especially the new 37CS offshore fishing boat. Founder Steve Dougherty proved his mettle in this new model by identifying and eliminating some of the most annoying details found in other boats. Then he replaced them with conveniences that turn nuisance into pleasure, with a world-class matrix of fishing amenities that pamper not just anglers, but also the most demanding pleasure boaters.
Cases in point: The use of magnetic attachments for deck lounge cushions instead of finger-straining snaps, hidden magnetic cup holders secure drinks to gunwales and tabletops, and a bait board attaches magnetically to the transom. The double jump seat also magnetically fastens to the transom.
Belowdecks, rod holders for all the sticks you can carry are concealed in a hidden compartment beneath the double berth. Instead of rod/cup combo holders on the gunwales, the 37CS has premium polished rod holders, and next to each one is a polished cup holder—that’s in addition to the magnetic pucks hidden in the nonskid diamond plate.
At 16,000 pounds, the 37CS is svelte, with an 11-foot beam. Three of Yamaha’s new V-6 4.3-liter 350 outboards ran the 37CS to 60 mph. Hole shot was crisp, and the bow stayed low, only inclining 3 degrees before the boat settled into a smooth gait at 35.5 mph, revving 4,000 rpm and providing an optimal cruise range of 424 miles.
The bottom features a double-step design, and is engineered to preserve forward visibility out of the hole. The boat also held its ground in high-speed turns. The ride is plenty smooth at rest or when trolling, and offers great stability while seas roll beneath. For the less adventurous, an optional Quick X10 MC DC gyrostabilizer (which we had on our tester) steadies the boat for even greater comfort.
Controlling the 37CS proved a pleasure thanks to the row of triple bucket seats with adjustable armrests and easy-to-adjust legroom. A footrest below the wheel is comfy. The Garmin displays spread before us carried digital switching, and gyro and media controls, with a rocking Fusion audio system. We lost count of speakers, but there were multiple subs, and nobody could sit more than 3 feet from a coaxial woofer and tweeter.
The hardtop offers beefy construction—something skippers will appreciate if they add the upper station. The supporting stanchions on the aft edge had laddered braces for easy access to the top. The windshield is glass, not plexiglass. When weight—and money—is of no concern, glass is the way to go. A pair of grab rails on the hardtop ceiling add passenger stability and confidence in rough water. Three windshield panels are bonded to the curved aluminum struts, and where most luxury center-consoles brag about a small tilt-up vent at the top of the front windshield, Solace designed its entire windshield to levitate upward on durable struts. It lifts in a manner so secure, it is safe to run the seas with the ocean’s fresh breeze in your face. And Solace added grab rails to both sides of the console in reach of crewmembers standing beside the helm area.
The aft cockpit is an equal pleasure to use or just admire. The transom door is gone, and a portside boarding door supplants it. It integrates with a deck hatch that conceals an ergonomic boarding ladder that deploys over the side. Twin 40-gallon transom livewells are pressurized to keep bait from being battered by the seas. One of the two storage areas next to the livewells can be rigged for twin tuna tubes. The fish box at transom center has a unique electric chill tub that can be removed.
Crew comfort in the boat comes from well-designed seating and high-quality components. Mezzanine seating is designed for two, and the seat bottom lifts up to reveal an ice chest beneath. You can rummage around in it with both hands because the lid hinges to a vertical position and stays there until you close it—no smashed fingers. The mezzanine seatback folds down to form a rigging table complete with a tackle-box cabinet behind it. There’s also a dedicated drawer beneath the helm seats to stow a propane grill (that mounts in a rod-holder when you’re ready to cook) and propane bottles.
Read Next: Solace 30 HCS
The bow has two lounge seats, and we liked the design. They were not joined in the center at the anchor locker; this allows easy access to the ground tackle. The interior freeboard’s height was ideal for manning the electric windlass. Even better, Solace replaced vinyl upholstery with silicone fabric—a tough, UV-resistant, stain-blocking material that maintains its factory appearance years after delivery.
Boat and fish long enough, and you’ll find yourself squatting in the bilge or hanging headlong into it to service plumbing, fuel filters, lines and more. Solace has made that easy with ample space in the bilge for access. The helm electronics and vessel circuitry are also easily accessible via hatches in the cozy cabin below the console. The cabin also includes an enclosed head.
That’s yet another small thing that makes knowledgeable boaters go, “Wow, that’s cool.” Solace not only set about to identify every whim boating anglers might ponder, but it also succeeded in integrating solutions and features that accommodate them.
Specifications
| Length: | 37’7″ |
| Beam: | 11’0″ |
| Draft: | 2′ (engines up) |
| Weight: | 16,000 lb. |
| Fuel: | 512 gal. |
| Max HP: | 1,200 |
| MSRP: | $941,144 (base price) |
SŌLACE – Edgewater, Florida; solaceboats.com
