Solara S-310 SC

Crisp performance and a comfortable ride are appealing assets of Solara’s new family cruiser.

By John Wooldridge

December 11, 2023

The Solara S-310 Sport Coupe came quickly on plane as I advanced the throttles located to the right of the wheel. The twin 300-hp Yamaha F300 outboards poured out steadily-rising torque as the boat passed 26 knots in short order. For this sea trial, I was aboard with Tim Wilbricht, director of sales for Pocket Yachts, the Chesapeake Bay to Florida East Coast dealer for Solara, Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats—all brands from the parent company Fluid Motion based in Monroe, Washington.

I advanced the throttles to the stops, and the S-310 SC accelerated without hesitation to 43 knots. We were running south out of Crab Alley and into the open waters of Eastern Bay on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with a gusty 15- to 18- knot wind from astern that created an irregular washboard of 1- to 2-foot waves. Aside from the swift acceleration, tracking was excellent and the standard Lenco auto-leveling trim tabs kept us well balanced side to side. Tight turns at higher speeds were very predictable, without any tripping. At the end of our open-water run, I headed us north into the chop, to return to Pocket Yacht’s service facility, and found the ride comfortable, without slamming or untoward boat noise.

Wilbricht told me that the Yamaha F300 outboards are the only engine choice available for the 310, and that considerable time and research had taken place to pair the boat with the optimal propulsion. The sweet spot for cruising the S-310 SC is around 28 knots at 4500 rpm. At that speed, the boat produces a cruising range of about 250 miles and a fuel economy of 1.25 mpg, according to Solara. Those figures depend on many factors like load, bottom condition and routine engine maintenance, just to name a few, but they do demonstrate the potential for this boat to efficiently reach new and more distant destinations or to stretch a cruising weekend another day.

The 310’s blend of performance, economy and ride is in large part due to the hull. It was designed by David Livingston, the founder of Fluid Motion, who is arguably one of the most prolific designers of small boats in the U.S., having produced models for Bayliner, Wellcraft, Regal, Larson and others during his career.

“I think the S-310 SC is a pretty good balance of soft wave entry, stepped planing surfaces and the laminar flow interrupters that pull air under the hull, using the Bernoulli effect, to decrease drag and increase performance,” Livingston said. “The hull has an overall 24-degree deadrise, with a pad along the centerline, [located] aft from the middle of the boat. And the chine that starts at the bow above the waterline to provide additional buoyancy has an increasingly negative angle aft for side-to-side stability. Extending the hull outboard of the engines adds a bit of a catamaran effect, adding more stability against rolling.”

When I stepped aboard one of the two swim platform extensions flanking the Yamaha F300 outboards, the boat was rock solid, with no roll. I admired the traction of the EVA decking and thought this would be a safe space for swimmers or fishermen to pass from one side of the boat to the other. The footing also is secure for that grill master in the crew, who can flip burgers at the grill on the port side of the transom. The decking also is used in the cockpit and under the standard hardtop. The decking is a standard feature, one of many on a long list of family-friendly features.

There’s seating for six passengers in the cockpit. For anglers there are thigh-high coaming pads, plus standard livewell, raw-water washdown and rod holders in the gunwales. When the rods are stored, you can set up a pair of sunshades for UV protection at a favorite anchorage. A Fusion multi-zone stereo system with separate subwoofer and multiple speakers can help set the mood for a fun gathering.

Under the hardtop, a dinette has an adjustable backrest, so passengers can face forward or aft. The area is served by a built-in cooler and a refrigerator. Another seating area is in the bow. In the climate-controlled cabin below, there’s an enclosed wet head with marine toilet, seating that converts to a large berth and a full galley.

At the starboard-side helm, an adjustable dash panel is dominated by twin Garmin 8612 MFDs. They are standard; the Garmin radar is an option. A bow thruster is standard, but if you go with the Yamaha joystick option, you may not need it. A sunroof opens at the touch of a switch to flood the space with light and fresh air.

The list of standard equipment provided by Solara is complete, making this a turnkey cruiser for a new owner. I can think of only a few builders that package into the retail price fore and aft CCTV cameras, a wine cooler, a galvanic isolator, 3000-watt inverter and Lithium batteries for house power. And yet the builder is able to package all of this equipment into a cruiser that costs $383,937.

The company is able to price competitively because it takes advantage of the production efficiencies that arise from building multiple boat brands. It’s all part of the Solara philosophy to provide a combination of performance and features that will enrich the owner’s time on the water.