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Welcome to the realm of extra-large inflatable boats. Today our Luca Sordelli takes you to see two dream models over 15 meters. We are talking about the Nuova Jolly Prince 50 and the Salpa Soleil 52, two 100% Italian maxi-ribs that have amazing dimensions, but also impressive performance. The challenge ended up 52 knots to 53 knots in terms of top speed during our tests, but the numbers hide a nice slice of history. How do they sail, what do they look like, and most importantly, how much do they cost?
A sport-coupe, but also a dinghy. At the stern it has no less than four 400-hp Verado V10 Mercury engines with which you can reach 52 knots, as we experienced during our test. The deck layout has a double access from the stern: starting from the two large planks leading to the central dinette that seats up to 10 people with the fixed, super-sturdy table with folding doors. Then the surprise: the bow hatch (on the forward side of the driver’s console) opens and provides direct access below deck. The entrances are then two, as are the cabins: the owner’s cabin, the largest forward, is another aft cabin with smaller volumes but certainly habitable. In the middle of the boat, as it must be consistently with a boat like this, a large, very high and very habitable bathroom with a shower.
Watch the full video with price, performance and fuel consumption here.
She is the flagship of the Neapolitan shipyard, an “important” super rib and not only in terms of size: more than 15 meters in length and an impressive 1,800 hp aft with three 600 hp Mercury Verado V12s. Also for its technical contents starting with the construction, vacuum infusion, and the sophisticated hull design (the work of Englishman Adam Younger) with double step and three order of support skids on each side. There are two cabins on board, two true separate staterooms, with a large midships bathroom (with separate shower stall) facing the saloon/den at the foot of the swim ladder. Aft, under the sundeck, is space for a third crew cabin that can also be a boundless storage area. Performance, as we tell you well in the video: more than 53 knots of top speed at 6,300 rpm and cruising (in absolute comfort) at 31/32 knots at 4,000 rpm. And, all the time, great fun at the helm.
Watch the full video with price, performance and fuel consumption here.
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