As is customary with Esseboats, the design is by Felci Yacht Design. The hull is constructed using a modern sandwich construction method via vacuum infusion, which promises high rigidity combined with comparatively low weight. Measuring 8.90 metres in length, the fully equipped Esse 890 weighs in at just around 1,600 kilograms, of which 780 kilograms (49 per cent) is ballast attached to the T-keel in the form of a lead block. Like all the shipyard’s boats, the new 890 also features a sleek design: its high aspect ratio of 3.6 is well above the average. Thanks to a beam of just under 2.50 metres, the Esse 890 should therefore be easy to transport on a road trailer.
Simple, yet fast and sporty
With around 50 square metres of sail area when sailing close-hauled and an 85-square-metre gennaker, the Esse 890 promises sporty sailing characteristics. The standard specification includes a carbon-fibre rig with a self-tacking jib, as well as a lifting keel that can be raised hydraulically by 40 centimetres for transport and, if necessary, whilst in port. For the gennaker or Code Zero, a carbon-fibre gennaker boom approximately 1.50 metres long can be extended out from the side of the hull.
The keel is available either with a draught of 2.10 metres (standard) or in a shorter version with a draught of 1.90 metres. The refined hull, the finely tuned rig and a clearly structured cockpit layout are designed to ensure effortless handling – even with a small crew or when sailing single-handed.
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Three versions, three prices
Below deck, Esseboats has adopted a modular design concept. Depending on its intended use, the Esse 890 can be configured as a minimalist day sailer, a sporty racer or a weekender with basic overnight accommodation. The boat is therefore aimed at sailors who are looking for performance without compromising on flexibility. One feature that certainly catches the eye is the lounge above the keel box, which is arranged asymmetrically, thus leaving the passage to the forward cabin clear.
The Esse 890 will be available in three versions. In the basic version as a daysailer, the boat comes ready to sail with a self-tacking jib, mainsail and gennaker, as well as a basic interior fit-out below deck. The boat is also fitted with an anti-fouling coat straight from the shipyard. The base price is 145,000 euros (net) or 172,550 euros gross, including 19% VAT. In the Racer version, the shipyard equips the boat with a complete set of high-quality laminate sails, including a short-overlapping genoa with line-adjustable clew points on the cabin superstructure. Prices for this performance boat are 150,000 euros (net) or 178,500 euros (gross). In the Weekender variant, the new Esse features a more attractive and higher-quality interior finish below deck and is additionally fitted with hull windows for more light and transparency below deck. This cruising-suitable version is priced at 155,000 euros (net) or 184,450 euros (gross).
Technical Specifications: Esse 890
- Designer: Felci Yacht Design
- Hull length: 8.90 m
- Length at the waterline: 8.30 m
- Width: 2.48 m
- Draught with lifting keel (standard): 1.70 – 2.10 m
- Draught with lifting keel (short): 1.50 – 1.90 m
- Weight: 1.6 t
- Ballast/percentage: 780 kg / 49 %
- Sail area when sailing close-hauled: 50.0 m²
- Lift-to-drag ratio: 6.04
- Gennaker: 85.0 m²
- Engine: outboard or inboard engine
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
