Sol Ambition Page 3

Illustration: Steve DavisThe Island Pilot's DSe's catamaran hulls are long and slender to produce minimum drag.When the first Island Pilot 395 was introduced two years ago, she defied established convention and raised a lot of eyebrows, partly due to her distinctive angular styling, but mainly

By Mike Smith

November 1, 2006

In the deckhouse is a fully equipped galley, complete with a three-burner cooktop, full-size twin-basin stainless steel sink, microwave/convection oven, and ultra-efficient, 14.5-cubic foot, five-compartment refrigerator/freezer/ice maker that consumes an average of just 33 watts. In the forward portion of the 170-square-foot deckhouse is the saloon, which contains an L-shape settee that converts to a full-size double berth and a folding hi-lo table suitable for enjoying either cocktails or dining. Opposite the settee is a loveseat that cleverly conceals a 26-inch LCD TV in its flip-up seat base.

Sleeping accommodations are on the lower deck; identical staterooms in the port and starboard demi-hulls mean cruising couples won’t have to flip a coin to decide who gets the better berth. Their queen-size berths flank a centerline bulkhead beneath the pilothouse deck. Forward in each demi-hull is a dressing area as well as a full head with a separate shower enclosure. Steps lead from the dressing area up to the saloon on either side of the room.

As with the Island Pilot 395, all boats are to be sold fully equipped, including navigation electronics, GPS/plotter, radar, autopilot, Bose entertainment system, and satellite TV antenna. Even a tender and four-stroke outboard are included. And as a special preconstruction incentive, the company plans to offer its first customers a free Smart car. That way they can benefit from tomorrow’s technology on the water and while getting to and from the dock. The first units are scheduled to be available in the fall of 2007.

Island Pilot
(888) 443-2965

Specifications

Boat Type: Other…
Base Price: not available.
LOA: 39’6″
Draft: 2’4″
Beam: 17’0″
Weight: not available.
Fuel Capacity: 50 gal.
Water Capacity: 100 gal.
Standard Power: 2/25-kW diesel gensets; 2/25-kW D.C. electric motors; 6-kW solar cell array
Top Speed: 15 knots (diesel genset)
Cruise Speed: 6 knots (solar array only)
Construction: hand-laid fiberglass cored composite
Designed By: Island Pilot/DSe Hybrid Design Team
Interior Design: Island Pilot/DSe Hybrid Design Team