Fifteen years ago, Josef Schuchter founded Esse Boats, a Swiss shipyard of fast, elegant and easy-to-handle sailing boats. In 2004, in collaboration with the Italian designer Umberto Felci, the manufacturer launched its first model, the Esse 850, a sporty and manoeuvrable sailboat. This first successful model was followed by the Esse 750, 990, 850L and 850LE. The Esse 850 and 750 also have their own regatta class.
In 2020, the Swiss shipyard in Stäfa on the shores of Lake Zurich will launch its first weekend cruiser, the Esse 330. This model with its clean and sharp lines still owes its design to the Italian Felci Yacht Design. What is immediately striking is the very narrow midship beam - 2.55 m to be transportable by road - which accentuates the impression of the boat's length. The Esse 330 is 10 m long, but looks much bigger, especially with its long foredeck and large cockpit, but also thanks to its fairly flush roof.
If it is the largest model of the Swiss shipyard, it is also the first to offer the possibility to spend one or more nights on board. And when you go inside, you're quite surprised by the habitable volume offered by the boat. If the height under the barrow is not very important, one does not feel cramped or enclosed. This can be explained by the hull portholes, the Plexiglas companionway hatch and the simple and uncluttered layout, which nevertheless remains comfortable.
The bow receives a beautiful double cabin open to the rest of the saloon. Under the central cushion are hidden chemical toilets. There are several storage lockers, two low benches with a table and a small kitchenette at the back.
At the bow, the bowsprit will have to be designed with the bowsprit stowed in the cabin, a design dictated by an aesthetic choice to free up the deck. The teak deck is optional, as are the lines that will secure the boat if you are sailing with your family.
Although it is habitable, the Esse 330 retains the sporty look and ease of handling of the range. Light - 2300 kg - the 10 m sailing yacht is perfectly suited to single-handed sailing, especially with manoeuvres carried out from the helm station - the Esse 330 is equipped with a tiller. A self-tacking jib and the absence of a bastaque make navigation even easier. An asymmetrical spinnaker can be installed on the outboard end, hidden inside.
The construction is made of a glass-epoxy/foam sandwich and the rigging is made of carbon, reinforcing the performance side of the boat. Finally, a lifting keel reduces the draft from 1.90 m to 1.55 m, ideal for approaching the coast as close as possible.
The Esse 330 is powered by an electric saildrive, but can also be fitted with a combustion engine.
Price: 160?000 euros HT
