Salpa Soleil 37: a Double Berth, Wet Bar and Thrilling Speed
The Salpa Soleil 37 fills the gap between the brand’s 33- and 40-foot RIBs, combining family-friendly comfort with serious performance.
Its spacious cockpit features an electric table, wet bar, generous storage and wide aft platforms. Below deck, the double bed converts into a sofa, while the bathroom has a separate shower. A lightweight carbon-fibre superstructure helps keep the centre of gravity low.
Tested off Porto Venere with twin Yamaha 350 hp outboards, the single-step hull impressed in short, half-metre waves, delivering a remarkably soft and stable ride even at 30 knots.
Forward visibility from the helm could be better, especially for shorter drivers. But the performance speaks for itself: 48.3 knots, comfortably beating Salpa’s claimed 45 knots.
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.
Highfield Boats just dropped a short recap video from its 2026 North American Dealer Meeting, and this year the crew moved the party to Chicago.
For years the event lived in Cadillac, Michigan, close to the factory. It simply got too big.
The video itself is quick and upbeat.
You see dealers and partners from the US and Canada mingling, checking out new RIBs, and generally having a good time on the water. Think networking, product demos, a dinner, and the usual competitive cornhole.
Nothing deep here, just a thank you to the people who sell their boats. Still, a nice look at a brand that keeps growing.
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.
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