In the belly of the Solace boat factory, a legend in the making sits across from a legend already made.
Solace’s cavernous factory is located on a nondescript road in Edgewater, a mainland suburb of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Make your way through the entrance, past the two French bulldogs and Stars Wars droid that greet you at the door, and you’ll reach the heart of the facility. To your right is the hull of the 56-foot catamaran that was underway for Jimmy Buffett before his passing last September. With its ample 17-foot beam and turquoise paint job, it resembles an empty pool at a South Beach hotel. Across from the parrothead-in-chief’s cat is the Solace 30HCS, one of the largest and most luxurious hybrid bay boats on the water, and the grand prize of one of fishing’s biggest giveaways ever.
Solace is the official boat of “Sport Fishing Television,” where I serve as writer-director. The fact that one lucky subscriber will win our show boat as part of our Ultimate Boat Giveaway is, well, kinda crazy. We’ve given away prizes before — tackle bags, marine electronics — but nothing that can run to Bimini.
The 30-foot hybrid is designed for both offshore fishing and island getaways. Day boaters will appreciate the generous 34-square-foot cockpit area, deluxe seating, and port and starboard doors that open to the large swim platform. For hardcore anglers, there are two 35-gallon in-floor fish boxes, a pair of 30-gallon livewells, and transom-mounted rod holders. This bay boat isn’t just for the bay — it’s built for coastal cruising and bluewater adventure. For “SFTV,” the Solace 30HCS has fished rivers and oceans, reefs and wrecks, and filled the fish box with mutton snapper and dolphin.
Solace has an impressive boat-building DNA that starts with founder Stephen Dougherty. The former senior vice president and chief engineer of Boston Whaler went on to launch Edgewater Boats and Everglades before founding Solace in 2019. His engineering acumen is in high demand: as part of a separate enterprise, Dougherty builds roller coasters and theme park attractions. One of his latest projects is “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” at Disney’s Hollywood Students in Orlando (see previously mentioned droid). With a maximum horsepower of 1,000 and a dry ride in big seas, the Solace 30HCS is the roller coaster you could take home.
For the cost of a subscription to Salt Water Sportsman or one of its sister publications (Boating, Yachting, Cruising World, and Sailing World), you have a chance to own this fishing machine. Click here to enter or to learn more.
