Solace Boats’ 30 HCS (Hybrid Center Step), the biggest hybrid boat available, measures nearly 30 feet in length overall and sports twin outboard power. It starts with advanced composite construction materials and processes, including vacuum-infused carbon fiber and epoxy laminates. The 30 HCS rides a twin-step variable-deadrise ventilated hull with a high-density PVC composite transom engineered for twin outboard power.
The 30 HCS sports a pair of 30-gallon transom livewells. A seat sits atop these wells with cushioned lids, armrests, and a cushioned backrest that swings, providing fore- or aft-facing seating. Walk-through transom doors allow access to the swim platform with its dual pull-out boarding ladders.
The 30 HCS’s cockpit possesses under-gunwale racks for smaller rods and mop handles, plus molded-in fire-extinguisher compartments with doors. Two 35-gallon in-deck fish boxes reside on both sides of the leaning post. The saltwater and freshwater washdown resides on the port side.
The leaning post features two deluxe helm seats with fold-up bolsters and armrests. The aft side offers a rigging center with a sink, faucet, drink holders and cutting boards, along with knife and tool storage. Underneath, find two shelves with cellphone chargers and a Frigid Rigid cooler. Each side of the leaning post holds four 3700 Plano tackle-storage boxes.
Solace integrates a three-sided hard glass windshield with a wiper, washer and electric rams to open the front into the console. The dash houses two standard 16-inch Garmin MFDs, and a centered switch panel controls all accessories. Enter the console via two steps down into the teak- and upholstery-trimmed interior. This space offers 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom, with a Corian counter, sink, and electric macerated freshwater head.
Our test boat boasted twin 400 hp Mercury I-6 engines with joystick control. Running the 30 HCS, we noticed no slide-out or ill effects on carved turns. It displayed little bow lift when pushed up on plane and quickly found its sweet spot at 4,500 rpm, making 34.8 mph and offering 1.5 gph.
High Points
- Fully advanced composite construction.
- Stand-up head with fully finished console interior in a hybrid.
- Functional aft deck layout with clever integral fore and aft seating on top of the transom livewells.
- Rokk smartphone induction charger on the helm and multiport phone chargers on the leaning post.
- Integral molded three-sided tempered-glass windscreen with a molded hardtop is standard equipment.
How We Tested
- Engines: Twin 400 hp Mercury I-6 Verados
- Drive/Props: Outboard/Rev 4 14 5/8” x 19″
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 93 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $579,507 |
| LOA: | 29’10 |
| Beam: | 9’10” |
| Draft (max): | 2’4″ |
| Dry Weight: | 10,312 lb. (as tested) |
| Seat/ Weight Capacity: | Yacht Certified |
| Fuel Capacity: | 187 gal. |
Solace – Edgewater, Florida; solaceboats.com
