On this August day, the pre-dawn sky above Stuart, Florida, played host to one of humankind’s most advanced feats. While preparing to board my test boat at Pirates Cove Marina, I witnessed a Saturn 5 rocket streak toward space. Launched moments earlier at Cape Canaveral, its billowing contrail was illuminated by rays of a sun still hidden below the horizon. I stood mesmerized, watching the payload slip the surly bonds of Earth.
How apropos, I thought, because this fish trial focuses on one of today’s most advanced center-console-boat designs, the Solace 345. The Edgewater, Florida-based brand is new, but its co-founder, CEO and chief designer, Stephen Dougherty, boasts a vaunted boatbuilding pedigree. His father, Bob Dougherty, served for decades as a chief designer for Boston Whaler, then founded EdgeWater Power…