Great Deal
There’s a lot to appreciate in the new 32 CS from Solace Boats.
By Gregg Mansfield
Solace Boats President Todd Albrecht had heard from customers and dealers about the need to offer a smaller center-console boat than the company’s 41-foot models.
After returning from the Miami International Boat Show in February with 34 orders for the all-new 32 CS, Albrecht is glad he took their advice.
“We just needed something in that smaller size to bring new customers to the brand,” Albrecht said. “I think every manufacturer will say that the 30- to 35-foot market seems to be the strongest and most repeat sizes that customers keep going back to.
“You look at how many people in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, wherever all these waterfront communities that they can only fit a certain size boat in their backyard, and they know what they need. They need a boat that can take them to the islands and get them back safely, and that size really seems to be the strongest size.”
The twin-step running surface for the 32 CS is based off the proven 41 CS hull, which was introduced in 2019. “It really is the identical surface just scaled down and it runs flawlessly. We did not make a single change,” he said.
The 32’7” boat with a 10”3” beam is only offered in a twin-outboard setup with power options from Mercury Marine or Yamaha. Buyers can pick from Mercury Verado 300, Mercury Racing 300R, Mercury Verado 400, Mercury Verado or Yamaha’s V6 300-hp outboards.
Albrecht said the goal was to create a 60-mph boat and with the V-bottom reportedly 1,800 to 2,700 pounds lighter than competitors in the same size range, consumers get added performance and range. The 32 CS has seen a strong response from yacht owners, who are seeking a tender for their yachts under construction.
“The days of buying some of these cheaper boats, just because they were more or less throwaway every couple of years, they don’t do that anymore,” Albrecht said. “They need a boat that can withstand the rigors of being dragged all over the world, in whatever sea conditions and still look like a very presentable, high-dollar boat for their clients.
“We really looked at the tender market at being strong and the boat had to be bulletproof. It had to be capable of the rigors that they put it through.”
While the 32 CS is the smaller sibling of the 41 CS, anglers aren’t left wanting. Two in-floor fish boxes have an 85-gallon total capacity and the transom fish box offers another 44 gallons. Two 30-gallon livewells with glass lids are on the transom. Solace includes a workstation and space under the gunwales for tackle storage. Rods up to 7 1/2 feet can be stored in the cabin.
An integrated hardtop with a full glass windshield wraps around the driver helm to protect the driver and copilot from the elements. On warm days, the front windshield opens on gas shocks to let in cool ocean breezes. The dash comes with dual Garmin 8616 displays, providing easy viewing of maps and vital engine functions.
Just in front of the driver’s helm is a lounge that can seat two people and there is additional seating in the bow. For easier access in and out of the water, Solace included a dive door on the portside.
While the 32 CS will be used primarily for daytrips, owners can spend the night aboard. Access to the cabin is from the portside and includes room for two people to sleep, as well as a small head with a stainless-steel sink, Corian countertop and a electrically macerated head with an 18-gallon holding tank. Air conditioning and a stainless-steel microwave are options for the cabin.
The spacious cabin has 6’2” headroom, which is rare for a 32-foot center-console.
“We did our best to incorporate all of the more expensive look and feel, systems and options that were in the 41 CS,” Albrecht said. “People were looking for that and we were able to bring that down into a smaller footprint, but they don’t feel like they’re giving up anything.”
The 32 CS starts at just under $449,000 with twin Yamaha 300-hp motors and the package with twin Mercury V8 300 outboards starts at $455,500.
Solace Boats, 386-957-5464,
www.solaceboats.com
