Fluid Motion, the Kent, Washington, company that makes Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats, just announced that it’s launching a new brand, called Solara, starting with four trailerable models with innovative and versatile layouts.
“Solara is our new luxury adventure line of boats that are fast, fun, and ready for action,” says John Livingston, the president of Solara Boats (and Fluid Motion). “These new boats are turn-key, so owners can start having fun the moment their boat hits the water.”
The first four boats are the Solara 250 Coupe (pictured below), Solara 250 Center Walkaround, Solara 250 Dual Console, and the Solara 310 Center Walkaround (pictured at top).
The backstory: Fluid Motion is one of the most successful (and privately held) boat companies in the United States. It was started when John Livingston and his father, Dave, bought Ranger Tugs in 1998. It basically was producing one boat at the time.
Dave Livingston had been building boats all his life; he built his first when he was 15. He then spent a career at half a dozen or so of the leading boat builders in the U.S., and was president of Bayliner in 1988 and 1989, when it was building 30,000 (or more) boats a year.
Ranger Tugs now has a lineup of nine models from 23 to 43 feet.. Fluid Motion also started Cutwater Boats in 2011, as a faster, sportier sibling to the tug lineup. Cutwater now builds ten models from 24 to 32 feet.
The new Solaras have Fluid Motion’s stepped hulls, laminar flow interrupters, and Clear-Path swim platforms. The company says that Solara shares the flexibility and performance of Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats, but Solara also brings a fresh look and modern styling.
The queen of the new Solara line, the 310 CW, is powered by twin 250-hp Yamaha outboards. (The other three Solaras have single outboards.) The cockpit seats six, and has a transom door for boarding. It also has lots of rod holders and rocket launchers for fishing, and a large livewell.
A walkaround deck leads to the open bow, also with seating for six, with a removable table. It comes with anchor and line storage and a fold-out ladder on the bow for easy access to a beach.
The cabin has air conditioning and reverse cycle heat, and two Garmin 8612 chartplotters are at the helm. A standard bow thruster makes docking easy. A V-berth forward converts to lounge seating for more social space. There’s also a fridge/freezer and an enclosed head with an electric-flush toilet and a shower.
Base price, at the factory, is $349,937.
Specs.: LOA: 30’10”; Beam: 10’0”; Draft: 2’1”; Disp.: NA: Fuel: 200 gals.; Water: 41 gals.; Power: 2×250-hp Yamaha outboards. Read more: https://www.solaraboats.com/
