About S/Y Solitude
- 1974, Stilson 44' Sloop "SOLITUDE"
- Design: Maury DeClercq
- Built by: Harstil Industries of Fraser, Michigan
- Year: 1974 (launched in 1978)
- Type: Sloop
- Hull Material: Fiberglass with balsa core above waterline
- Hull: Full keel with center board
- LOA: 43'8'' feet (13,35 m) (lenght over all)
- LWL: 35' feet (10,668 m) (Waterline)
- Beam: 13' feet (3,96 m)
- Draft: 5' feet (1,524 m)
- Mast height: 55' feet (17 m from waterline)
- Sail area: 854' square feet 625'' square inches (79,39466 square meters)
- Displacement: 12.000 kilos
- Ballast: 4.500 kilos
- Water tanks: 2x100 gallons (750 l)
- Fuel tanks: 2x100 galons (750 l)
- Electricity: 12 volt
- Refrigerator: Danfoss 12 volt system with two compartments
- Engine: Perkins 4.236 (85 hp)
- Outboard: Mercury SeaPro 15 HP
- Dinghy: AB Lammina 9'6" feet (2,9 m)
- Flag: Danish yacht flag
- Safety: Lots
The first yacht out of the mold at Harstil Industires was the "Spirit of Michigan". It was designed and built to challenge for the Canada's Cup. "Spirit" eventually lost out to "Dynamite", a very fast racing yacht with a displacement of little more than half of "Spirits" weight. However "Spirit" gave a good account of herself, winning the first race in heavy air. "Solitude" then, with a deck arrangement different from "Spirit" and a 6' feet shorter mast is a very fast cruising boat with a fine pedigree.
Solitude, the second out of the mod at Harstil Industries, has been conceived as a cruiser capable of crossing oceans safely, while carrying a incredible weight of stores and supplies. The 5' feet draft with its 5 tons of lead ballast, allows extensive gunkholing but at the same time provides a stable platform for carrying sail. The 200 gallon fuel tank and the 85 hp Perkins diesel provides motor sailor performance with the added benefit of a 1200 to 1500 nautical mile cruising range under power alone.
The dinghy tied up behind Solitude. Tobago Cays, April 2010
The galley, saloon looking aft, head (toilet) and the saloon looking forward.
Chasing the horizon. Caribbean Sea, Grenada to Bonaire, April 2010
Cruising in the Grenadines to Grenada. April 2010 (Photo: Chris, S/Y Albatross)
S/Y Solitude on the "hard" in Curacao Marine. February 2009
S/Y Solitude getting ready to get launched back to the right element. March 2009
S/Y Solitude in Titusville when I just got her. December 2006
Cruising in the Grenadines to Grenada with the skipper and Kenneth Plesner to the right. April 2010 (Photo: Chris, S/Y Albatross)
Solitude in Titusville ready to get hauled.
Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2007
Doing the butterfly with the mainsail to one side and the 120% genoa with the whiskerpole to the other side. Caribbean Sea, Grenada to Bonaire, April 2010
Solitude moored up right on top of a coral reef. Nice easy diving...
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, April 2007
