Salpa Soleil 37 Sea Trial: 48 Knots!

October 18 2026October 29 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

The New Soleil 37 Performance: RPM, Speed and Fuel

The Salpa Soleil 37 brings serious cruising comfort to an 11.3-metre Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB).

Below deck, there’s a double bed, an optional third berth, useful storage and a bathroom with a separate shower. The convertible double bed also becomes a dinette.

Outside, the cockpit seats eight to ten around a U-shaped sofa.

An electrically adjustable aft section transforms into a huge sunpad, while the bow offers another space to relax.

A galley, sturdy carbon hardtop and well-designed helm complete the package.

During the sea trial, twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards pushed the Soleil 37 to around 48 knots.

The hull felt stable through waves and sharp turns, with little vibration.

At normal cruising speeds, fuel use stayed close to 3.5 litres per nautical mile.

Sea Trial Results

RPM	Speed (Knots)	Fuel Consumption (Liters / Nautical Mile)*	Notes / Operating Regime
3,100	18	3.4 l/NM	Relaxed cruising speed; Redan (stepped hull) working minimally.
3,500	22–23	3.0–3.3 l/NM	Redan starts working; efficient planing speed.
4,000	26–27	3.4–3.5 l/NM	Air cushion generated under the hull for optimized efficiency.
4,500⁠–⁠4,800	30	~3.0–3.3 l/NM	Optimal cruising range; excellent speed-to-efficiency ratio.
5,000	38–40	3.8–4.0 l/NM	Exiting cruising range; high-speed performance with great stability.
5,500	43.5–45	5.0 l/NM	Fast cruising / sporty driving.
6,000⁠–⁠6,100	47.5–48	5.0 l/NM	Top speed / Full throttle (WOT); “racing mode”.

source, data may vary

* Fuel consumption is combined for both engines.

Speed converter

–knots
–km/h
–mph
–m/s

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.852 km/h. Indicative values, not for navigation.

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This video was published on the NonsolomareTV YouTube channel

The Italian company Salpa produces many videos. You can find many of them here.

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Salpa Soleil 21.5 RIB Test: 38 Knots With 150 hp

October 07 2026October 22 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

The all new Soleil 21.5

The Salpa Soleil 21.5 brings together smart design, practical comfort, and surprisingly sporty handling in a 7.10-metre RIB.

Salpa developed a dedicated hull with a central step to improve efficiency and reduce resistance through the water.

On board, you’ll find a well-designed helm for two, plenty of storage, a comfortable bow seating area, and a spacious aft sunbed.

Put to the test off the Ligurian coast, the Soleil 21.5 reached an impressive 38 knots with just 150 hp.

Even in choppy conditions, it remained stable, absorbed waves smoothly, and responded instantly to steering inputs.

Equally impressive was its fuel economy, averaging around one litre per nautical mile at several cruising speeds.

“Small” in size, but with plenty of performance to enjoy.

Sea Trial Results

Engine RPM	Speed (knots)	Fuel consumption (l/h)
Not specified	14	14
Not specified	18	18
3,500	20	20
Not specified	23	23
4,000	25	25
4,500	28	28
4,800	30	31

source, data may vary

This video was published on the NonsolomareTV YouTube channel

I’ve published man videos of this Italian brand: Salpa

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Master 996 RIB Test With Twin Yamaha 350 V6

September 12 2026September 17 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Master 996 Tested at 25, 30 and 35 Knots With Twin Yamaha 350s

At Marina di Castellammare del Golfo, Italy, Francesco van NonsolomareTV took the Master 996 out with massive twin Yamaha V6 350 hp outboards.

The test focused on everyday cruising speeds around 25, 30 and 35 knots, while also examining fuel consumption from the two 4.3-litre engines.

The 9.96-metre RIB measures 3.38 metres wide and weighs around two tonnes, with generous seating, storage and sunbathing areas.

Its layout includes a galley, refrigerator, sink, helm electronics, joystick control, VHF, chartplotter and a forward cabin with a double berth and toilet.

The walkthrough also covered the bathing platforms, folding table, adjustable helm seating, bow lounging area, anchor system and practical access to onboard storage.

This video was published on the NonsolomareTV YouTube channel.

I’ve published more video of this Italian RIB brand: check them out.

There are lots of Italian RIB brands. If you’re interested you can find all active RIB builders here: RIBManufacturerList

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Panamera Yachts 110 With Triple Honda V8’s Tested

September 07 2026October 04 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

Put the Panamera Yachts 110 to the test

I often wonder why people in motorboats like a RIB skip life jackets. Not required, inconvenient, or simply overconfident?

At speed, one unexpected wave or sharp turn can be enough.

Safety gear only works if you wear it (read the article: Safe Passenger Transport on RIBs: 7 Essentials).

That said …

The Panamera Yachts 110 Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) was tested with triple Honda 350 V8 outboards after further setup work by Nautica Glem.

The goal was not simply higher speed, but better efficiency, smoother running and reduced engine load.

At around seven tonnes, the RIB planed at about 13 knots and became noticeably more efficient as speed increased. Between 23 and 25 knots, total fuel consumption dropped below 3.5 litres per nautical mile.

At 30 knots, the engines were still running close to their economical range. Despite short, confused waves of around one metre, sometimes reaching 1.5 metres, the hull remained composed and comfortable, according to the crew.

The Panamera Yachts 110 reached 54 to 55 knots at roughly 5,800 rpm. An earlier run reportedly produced 56 to 57 knots at 6,000 rpm.

Test Data of the Panamera Yachts 110

Test conditions: approximately 6,500–7,000 kg displacement, with short and irregular waves around 1–1.5 metres. Fuel figures refer to the three engines combined.

Engine rpm	Speed	Total fuel consumption	Conditions / notes
2,500 rpm	13 kn	—	RIB on plane
3,200–3,300 rpm	21 kn	—	Hull beginning to run more freely
—	23–25 kn	< 3.5 l/nm	Efficient cruising range
—	27–28 kn	≈ 3.7 l/nm	Head sea and headwind
≈ 3,900 rpm	30 kn	≈ 4.4–4.5 l/nm	Engines still near economy range
≈ 5,800 rpm	54–55 kn	—	Test run
6,000 rpm	56–57 kn	—	Speed reached during an earlier run

source, data may vary

This video was published on the NonsolomareTV YouTube channel

Here are some more videos of this Italian brand: watch them via this link.

Proud to share that Honda Marine is a Friend of RIBs ONLY.

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Ranieri Cayman 41.0 Hard Top Test by NonsolomareTV

September 02 2026September 09 2026 Karel Overlaet, RIB Advocate

A Second Test by NonsolomareTV

In a previous review this Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) was tested by The Sea Team. Now you can compare it with this one by NonsolomareTV.

This video shows the test of the Ranieri International Cayman 41.0 Hard Top with twin Suzuki DF350 outboards, delivering a combined 700 hp.

The integrated hardtop includes a substantial windscreen, while the helm provides seating for three and a clearly organised instrument layout.

Below deck, the boat offers a forward double berth, two additional sleeping positions, storage space and a separate shower compartment.

During testing, the Cayman reached planing speed progressively, without excessive bow rise, and settled quickly into comfortable cruising speeds.

Around 30 knots, reported fuel consumption was approximately 3 litres per nautical mile, increasing at higher cruising speeds.

Maximum speed reached about 44.5 knots, while high-speed turns showed predictable steering response, limited heel and no reported propeller cavitation.

Test Data

Model	Ranieri Cayman 41.0 Hard Top with Twin Suzuki Outboards
Engines	2 × Suzuki DF350
Total power	700 hp
Speed at initial planing	22 knots
Speed	20 knots
Reported consumption at 20 knots	2 l/nm
Cruising speed	28–30 knots
Reported consumption around 30 knots	3 l/nm
Engine speed	5,000 rpm
Speed at 5,000 rpm	34–36.5 knots
Higher-speed consumption	approximately 4 l/nm
Maximum engine speed	6,200 rpm
Maximum speed	44.5 knots
Fast-turn test	approx. 35–42 knots
Heel during turn	approx. 15°
Cavitation during counter-turn	None reported

source, data may vary

Ranieri Cayman 41 Test Data Comparison

Two independent tests of the same Ranieri Cayman 41.0 Hard Top show similar performance, but notable fuel-consumption differences. Variations may result from fuel and water load, passengers, sea state, weather, trim, and other test conditions.

Comparison point	NonsolomareTV	The Sea Team	Difference
Top speed	44.5 kn	43.7–44 kn	0.5–0.8 kn lower
Speed around 5,000 rpm	34–36.5 kn	35.6–36.8 kn	Very similar
Consumption at 20 kn	2.0 l/nm	3.81–3.89 l/nm*	+91–94%*
Consumption around 30 kn	3.0 l/nm	3.83–3.86 l/nm	+28–29%
Consumption around 5,000 rpm	Approx. 4.0 l/nm	4.85–5.02 l/nm	+21–26%

Comparison table, data may vary
*The 20-knot figure requires caution

Remark; At 20 knots, Test 2 indicates 3.81–3.89 l/nm. As this figure is interpolated near the transition to planing, the 91–94% difference should be considered indicative rather than definitive.

This video was published on the NonsolomareTV YouTube channel.

More videos of Ranieri International are here for you to enjoy!

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