Esse 990
The Esse 990 is a 9.9-meter-long (32-foot) racing sportboat designed by Umberto Felci[1] and built by Josef Schuchter Sportboats of Stafa, Switzerland[2]. The first hull was sold in 2008 and series production was begun in 2009.
The design is an outgrowth of the success of the Esse 850 which had over 110 boats in the one-design fleet by mid-2009. The design is a very powerful sportboat capable of being raced as a daysailer or as an IMS rated coastal racer. It is a very high performance sportboat designed to be raced with a crew of 4 sailors. The design also includes a self-tacking jib to ease handling. Auxiliary propulsion is provided by a 15-horsepower (11 kW) saildrive.
The design is characterized by a large ballast to displacement ratio and a relatively narrow hull of 2.55 meters beam and a tall mast with a high aspect ratio sail plan. In concert with most sportboats, the Esse 990 is designed as an alternative to the complexity of traditional sloop-rigged sailboats, with an emphasis on ease of handling with a small crew and exceptional speeds. Typically, sportboat's such as the Esse 990 are much lighter and more powerful than their traditional counterparts. The reduced weight of the Esse 990 design is a result of the use of PVC-cored, epoxy/E-glass composite sections for the hull and deck. The mast and boom are made from carbon fiber to reduce weight and increase strength. The weight reduction over traditional designs means that a larger percentage of the total weight of the boat is concentrated in the keel providing greater stability and the ability to carry a larger sail plan for greater power.
The weight of the entire boat is 2100 kilograms, including the hull and standing rigging. The design concentrates the righting moment of the keel in a 990 kilogram torpedo-shaped bulb at the end of an airfoil shaped fin. The ballast to displacement ratio is 0.47 which provides a "stiff" and stable platform. The high righting moment allows the design to carry a larger than normal sail area which increases power and consequently speed through the water.
The Esse 990 is an example of the latest design concepts in high speed hulls and sail plans. The sail plan is characterized by a large mainsail and a high aspect ratio jib in a fractional rig design. These high speed fractional rigs are a nearly ubiquitous feature on sportboat's and are used for their ease of handling and their high lift and low drag characteristics.
Hull shapes on sportboat's are typically designed so that the hulls plane at high speeds. These hull designs are characterized by fairly sharp bows to allow them to penetrate waves with reduced drag and a flatter underbody aft of the bow. The flat underbody develops lift as speeds increase and the hull rises higher in the water, which reduces the wetted area and decreases drag, allowing higher speeds to be achieved.
The traditional spinnaker is replaced with a gennaker that is set on an extensible bowsprit. Using a bowsprit allows the size of the gennaker to be a much larger sail than would be possible with a symmetrical spinnaker. The speeds achieved downwind by these designs can be remarkable. In the case of the Esse 990, speeds of 17 knots(19.5 mph/31.4 km/h) are readily achievable in true wind velocities greater than 25 knots (46 km/h) .
The Esse 990 design was selected as a finalist for the European Sport Boat Of The Year in 2009. Distribution in North America is by Esse Pacific Northwest[3].
External links
- Felci Yacht Design
- Schuchter Sportboats
- Esse Pacific Northwest
- v
- t
- e
- 11:Metre One Design
- Aero 20
- Adventurer 17
- Alacrity 19
- Albin 57
- Alize 20
- Allegra 24
- Alerion Express 19
- Alberg 22
- Arcachonnais
- Alberg 23
- Albin Express
- AMF 2100
- Amphibi-Con 25
- Antares 17
- Antrim 20
- Aquarius 7.0
- Aquarius 21
- Aquarius 23
- Aquarius 24 Pilot Cutter
- Austral 20
- Archambault Bagheera
- Bahia 22
- Balboa 16
- Balboa 20
- Balboa 21
- Balboa 22
- Balboa 23
- Balboa 24
- Balboa 26
- Balboa 27 8.2
- Bay Hen 21
- Baymaster 18
- Beachcomber 25
- Beneteau First 18
- Beneteau First 18 SE
- Beneteau First 20
- Beneteau First 210
- Beniguet
- Blazer 23
- Bluejacket 23
- Bluejacket MS 23
- Blue Water 24
- Boomerang 20
- Bremer 25
- Bridges Point 24
- Brio
- Bristol Caravel 22
- Bristol Corsair 24
- Buccaneer 200
- Buccaneer 210
- Buccaneer 220
- Buccaneer 240
- Buccaneer 245
- Buccaneer 250
- Buccaneer 255
- Bull's Eye
- Cabochard
- Cal 21
- Cal 22
- Cal 24
- Cal 25
- Cal 2-24
- Cal 3-24
- Cal T/4
- California 4.70
- California 5.20
- California 5.50
- California 6.60
- CAP 450
- CAP 540
- Cape Breton
- Cape Cod Cat
- Cape Cod Mercury 15
- Cape Dory 25
- Cape Dory 25D
- Capelan
- Capri 14
- Capri 16
- Capri 22
- Capri 25
- Capri 26
- Captain
- Captiva 240
- Careel 18
- Catalina 18
- Catalina 22
- Catalina 25
- Catalina 250
- Cherry 16
- Chrysler 20
- Chrysler 22
- Chrysler 26
- Classic 22
- Classic 22 (Windley)
- Clipper 21
- Clipper 23
- Colgate 26
- Columbia 7.6
- Columbia 22
- Columbia T-23
- Columbia 24 Challenger
- Columbia 24 Contender
- Companion 21
- Crystal 23
- Commodore 17
- Com-Pac 16
- Com-Pac 23
- Com-Pac 25
- Com-Pac Eclipse
- Com-Pac Horizon Cat
- Com-Pac Legacy
- Com-Pac Sun Cat
- Com-Pac Sunday Cat
- Contest 25 OC
- Corinthian 19
- Cornish Crabber 17
- Cornish Crabber 24
- Cornish Shrimper 19
- Coronado 23
- Coronado 25
- Corsair 24
- Corsair Cruze 970
- CS 22
- Cygnus 20
- Dana 24
- D&M 22
- Dawson 26
- Dehler 22
- Dehler 25
- Dolphin 17
- Dolphin 24
- Drascombe
- Drascombe Lugger
- Drascombe Scaffie
- DS-16
- DS-22
- Dufour 24
- Dufour 1800
- Eastsail 25
- Eastward Ho 24
- Eclipse 6.7
- Elite 25
- Endeavor 26
- Ensenada 20
- Eolia 25
- Ericson 23-1
- Ericson 23-2
- Ericson 25
- Ericson 25+
- Espace 620
- Esse 850
- Esse 990
- ETAP 20
- ETAP 21i
- ETAP 22
- ETAP 22i
- ETAP 23
- ETAP 23i
- ETAP 23iL
- ETAP 24i
- ETAP 26
- ETAP 26s
- Evelyn 25
- Express 27
- F-24 Sport Cruiser
- F-27 Sport Cruiser
- F-31 Sport Cruiser
- Farrier F-22
- Farrier F-24
- Fisher 25
- Flirt
- Flying Tiger 7.5
- Flying Tiger 10 M
- Freedom 21
- Freedom 24
- Fun 23
- Gladiator 24
- Gloucester 16
- Gloucester 18 (Whitecap)
- Gloucester 19
- Gloucester 20
- Gloucester 22
- Gloucester 23
- Golif 21
- Gougeon 32
- Grampian 23
- Greenwich 24
- Halcyon 23
- Halman 20
- Harbor 14
- Harbor 20
- Harbor 25
- Harmony 22
- Harpoon 6.2
- Hartley TS16
- Helms 24
- Helsen 20
- Helsen 22
- Heritage 20
- Hermann 19
- Hermann 22
- Herreshoff America
- Herreshoff Eagle
- Herreshoff Goldeneye
- Herreshoff Prudence
- Hilbre One Design
- Hobie 33
- Hobie Magic 25
- Holder 17
- Holder 20
- Hughes 22
- Hughes 24
- Hughes 25
- Hunter 18.5
- Hunter 19-1
- Hunter 19-2
- Hunter 20
- Hunter 22
- Hunter 23
- Hunter 23.5
- Hunter 25
- Hunter 25-2
- Hunter 26
- Hunter 27 Edge
- Hunter 212
- Hunter 216
- Hunter 240
- Hunter 260
- Hunter Medina
- Ideal 18
- Imperial 23
- Impulse 21
- Independence 20
- Irwin 10/4
- Irwin 23
- Irwin 25
- Islander 21
- Islander 24 Bahama
- J/22
- J/24
- J/70
- J/80
- JOD 24
- Kaiser 25
- Kelt 7.6
- Kittiwake 23
- Kirby 23
- Kirby 25
- Laguna 16
- Laguna 18
- Laguna 22
- Laguna 24S
- Lancer 25
- Lancer 25 Mark V
- Lancer 25 PS
- Lancer 28
- Lancer 28T Mark V
- La Paz 25
- Lapworth 24
- Lockley-Newport LN-23
- Jeanneau Love Love
- Lynx 16
- MacGregor 19
- MacGregor 21
- MacGregor 22
- MacGregor 24
- MacGregor 25
- MacGregor 26
- Mariner 19
- Mark 25
- Marlin 23
- Marlow-Hunter 22
- Marshall 22
- Marsh Hen
- Martin 16
- Matilda 20
- Melges 20
- Melges 24
- Menger Cat 17
- Menger Cat 19
- Menger Cat 23
- Menger Oysterman 23
- Meridian 25
- Merit 22
- Merit 25
- Microsail
- Mini JOD
- Mirage 5.5
- Mistral T-21
- Montego 19
- Montego 20
- Montego 25
- Montgomery 15
- Montgomery 17
- Montgomery 23
- Moore 24
- Morgan 22
- Morgan 24/25
- Mustang 22
- Mystic Catboat 20
- Mystic Mini-Ton
- Naiad 18
- Neptune 24
- New Horizons 26
- Neptune 16
- Newport 16
- Newport 17
- Newport 212
- Newport 214
- Nimble 20
- Nimble 25 Arctic
- Nomad 22
- Nonsuch 22
- Nordica 16
- Nordica 20
- Nor'Sea 27
- North 26
- North American 23
- North Star 500
- Nutmeg 24
- O'Day 19
- O'Day 20
- O'Day 22
- O'Day 23
- O'Day 25
- O'Day 26
- O'Day 192
- O'Day 222
- O'Day 240
- Olson 25
- Pacific Seacraft 25
- Parker Dawson 26
- Pearson 21
- Pearson 22
- Pearson 23
- Pearson 23C
- Pearson 24
- Pearson Electra
- Pearson Ensign
- Pearson Lark
- Peep Hen 14
- Pierce Arrow 18
- Poacher 21
- Polaris 26
- Precision 15
- Precision 18
- Precision 21
- Precision 23
- Precision 165
- Precision 185
- Paceship PY 23
- Quickstep 19
- Quickstep 21
- Quickstep 24
- Ranger 22
- Ranger 23
- Ranger 24
- Ranger 26-2
- Raven
- RK 20
- RK 21
- RL 24
- Rhodes 18
- Rhodes 19
- Rhodes 22
- Rhodes Ranger 29
- Rob Roy 23
- Rocket 22
- S2 6.7
- S2 6.8
- S2 6.9
- S2 7.0
- S2 7.3
- S2 8.0 A
- S2 8.0 B
- S2 8.0 C
- S2 22
- Sage 17
- Sailmaster 22
- Sanderling 18
- Sandpiper 565
- San Juan 21
- San Juan 23
- San Juan 24
- Sanibel 17
- Sanibel 18
- Santana 21
- Santana 22
- Santana 23
- Santana 25
- Santana 26
- Santana 2023
- Seafarer 22
- Seafarer 23
- Seafarer 23 Challenger
- Seafarer 23 Kestrel
- Seafarer 24
- Seaforth 24
- Seagull
- Seamew
- Sea Pearl 21
- Sea Sprite 23
- Seaward 22
- Seaward 23
- Seaward 24
- Seaward 25
- Seaward 26RK
- Seaward Fox
- Seaway 25
- Seidelmann 24
- Seidelmann 25
- Seidelmann 245
- Schock 22
- Schock 23
- Schock 25
- Shields
- Signet 20
- Silhouette
- Siren 17
- Sirius 22
- Sirocco 15
- Skipper 20
- Skipper's Mate 17
- Slipper 17
- Snapdragon 747
- Sonar
- Sonata 8
- Sonata 26
- Sonata 6.7
- Sonic 23
- Snug Harbor 18
- South Coast 21
- South Coast 22
- South Coast 23
- South Coast 25
- South Coast 26
- Sovereign 7.0
- Sovereign 17
- Sovereign 20
- Sovereign 23
- Sovereign Princess 24
- Sovereign 26
- Sovereign 30
- Spindrift 19
- Storm
- Spindrift 22
- Spirit 21
- Spirit 23
- Sprinto
- Starwind 19
- Starwind 22
- Starwind 223
- Stiletto 27
- Stone Horse
- Stuart Knockabout
- Sun 2000
- Sun Fast 17
- Sun Fast 20
- Sun Odyssey 24.2
- Sun Way 21
- Surprise 25
- Swiftcraft Swift 18
- Tanzer 7.5
- Tanzer 22
- Tanzer 25
- Tartan 27
- Tartan 27 Yawl
- Tartan 27-2
- Tempest
- Tempest 23
- Terrapin 24
- TES 28 Magnam
- Tiger 25
- Tonic 23
- Triangle 20
- Triton 21
- Triton 22
- Triton 25
- Tylercraft 24
- Typhoon 18
- Typhoon Senior
- Ultimate 20
- US Yachts US 18
- US Yachts US 21
- US Yachts US 22
- US Yachts US 25
- Vagabond 17
- Vancouver 25
- Venture 21
- Venture 22
- Venture 222
- Venture of Newport 23
- Victoria 18
- Viggen 23
- Viper 640
- Vivacity 20
- Vivacity 24
- Walton 25
- Watkins 17
- Watkins 23
- Watkins 25
- Wavelength 24
- Weekender 24
- Westerly 22
- West Wight Potter 15
- West Wight Potter 19
- Westwind 24
- Windrose 5.5
- Windrose 18
- Windrose 20
- Windrose 22
- Windrose 24
- Wild Wind 20
- Wylie Wabbit 24
- Yankee 26