The Esse 850 by Swiss designer Josef Schuchter has already successfully established itself as a standardised class in Central Europe. The new, larger Esse 990 adopts the look and some details of the next higher class, but is designed less as a sports boat and more as a daysailer.
However, the Esse 990 also clearly sets itself apart in terms of cost. With a base price of 165,000 euros, the chic dayboat is almost three times as expensive as the 850, which is only 1.5 metres smaller, but Schuchter's new boat offers a number of cost-intensive amenities, such as the beautifully crafted carbon fibre rig from Nordic or the self-tacking jib that comes as standard. A drive with petrol engine is also installed.
In the YACHT test on Lake Zurich, the Esse 990 showed plenty of temperament despite light wind conditions. The huge sail plan is counteracted under water by a ballast ratio of 50 per cent on a deep T-keel.
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
