A 76hp addition to the Solé Advance range
Engines Plus will give the Solé Advance SK-80 its first public boat-show appearance at Southampton International Boat Show 2026. The new inboard is a Kubota-based four-cylinder marine diesel producing 76hp at 2,700rpm, adding a compact option for boatbuilders and owners considering new installations or repower projects.
Solé Advance is targeting medium-sized sailing boats and professional fishing craft with the engine, two sectors where dependable low-speed running and installation practicality are often more important than headline horsepower. The Southampton display will allow owners and installers to inspect the package before committing to the engineering work that an inboard replacement can require.
Repowering is about more than rated output
For an existing leisure boat, choosing a replacement diesel is rarely a simple horsepower comparison. Engine dimensions, mounting points, gearbox options, exhaust routing, cooling, service access and weight can all determine whether a nominally suitable unit is practical to fit.
A compact four-cylinder package in the 70-to-80hp bracket is particularly relevant to larger cruising sailboats and displacement craft that need sustained torque rather than outboard-style acceleration. Seeing the engine physically installed on a show stand can therefore be more useful to prospective buyers than specification sheets alone, especially when technical staff are available to discuss repower constraints.
Manufacturer support will be available at the show
Engines Plus plans to have Solé Advance export sales manager Jaume Colillas on the stand during part of the show, giving visitors access to manufacturer-level product knowledge. The distributor will also display Selva Marine outboards, broadening the stand from inboard diesel repowering to smaller petrol-outboard applications.
That combination reflects the varied propulsion mix found across the leisure-boat market below 12 metres. Outboards dominate many newer planing boats, but shaft-drive and saildrive diesels remain central to sailing yachts, displacement cruisers and working craft where range, fuel availability and established service practices are important.
Southampton becomes the first public viewing
The SK-80 is due on stand P136 during the Southampton show, which runs from 18 to 27 September. Engines Plus says this will be the first opportunity anywhere for customers and marine professionals to see the model in person, making the event more than a routine regional display.
For Leisure Boat Guide readers considering a diesel replacement, the launch is a reminder that propulsion decisions need to be evaluated as complete installations. Output matters, but access, cooling, drivetrain compatibility and long-term parts support will determine whether a new engine genuinely improves the ownership experience.