Back on the Water After Winter Maintenance

Launching in time lapse - click on the photo to watch the video.

It's That Easy to Launch Esse Sailboats

The sailing season has begun! In our video, you can watch in time lapse how we launch Esse sailboats. If that’s too fast, let’s talk about the process of launching a sailboat, step by step.

Rise and Shine After Winter Storage

In winter storage, the boats are cleaned, dried, polished and treated with a wax coat that gives them a fresh shine. Scratches are repaired with specialty paint.

Engine and power units undergo a service inspection, the rig (mast and boom) as well as all sheets and moving parts are checked for wear and tear. The antifouling is replaced and any limescale in the waterline area is removed. Also, we thoroughly clean the boat’s interior. It’s a process that guarantees carefree sailing during the following season.

All Esseboats Sailboats Can Be Moved by Trailer

All Esseboats sailboats are easy to haul by trailer. Due to their width, which is less than 2.55 meters, all Esseboat models can be transported on the road without a special permit. Also, the center of gravity for our boats is extremely low, which is key for safety. The modern and simple rig ensures that our boats can easily be prepared for transportation. At Esseboats, we also offer a trailer that’s specifically designed to carry our yachts.

The car, truck or towing vehicle must be adjusted for the boat’s weight. Our top model, the Esse 330, can be easily transported by an SUV with a permissible trailing load of 3,500 kg. Smaller models only require a pulling power of 2,200 kg or 1,800 kg. Needless to say: The trailer should also be serviced and checked for damage, or wear and tear on a regular basis.

Like all Esseboats sailing yachts, the brand new Esse 330, is easy to haul on a trailer.

Craning Instead of Slipping

We typically launch our Esseboats yachts with the help of a crane. Slipping is not possible, mainly because with our boats, the rudder is not just attached to the stern, but is solidly mounted into the hull which is why it can’t be hung up for slipping.

With a little practice though, owners can let the boat in and out of the water and do the rigging by themselves, provided they have access to a suitable crane.

With all Esseboats sailing boats, a central lifting sling helps with the crane.

From Trailer to Crane

All of our models are equipped with a central lifting sling which means we don't need any straps to embrace the hull, and the launching becomes much easier. The crane should lift the boat slowly so that the keel remains in its correct position and can be lowered at the precise angle. It is critical to keep the boat in a horizontal position during this procedure.

The crane also helps erect the sailboat’s mast.

Erecting the Mast

Once the boat is launched and all halyards and shrouds are set into place, the crane lifts the mast into a vertical position. The shrouds and halyards are now fixed and adjusted. These settings are critically important as they have a strong impact on the sailing properties. The exact procedure differs depending on the model. We’d be happy to show you how it is done with your particular Esse.

What could be nicer than starting the sailing season?

Cast Off!

A happy Esseboats sailor starts into the sailing season. May you always have a hand’s width of water under your keel.

Sailing fun for a new season, with an Esse 330.

Fair Winds and Following Seas for the Sailing Season

You’re now ready for the sailing season. Besides standard checkups, no further maintenance is necessary during the season. There is plenty of time to enjoy sailing until you prepare the boat for the winter again, which usually happens in September, October or November at the latest.

If you reside in Switzerland, we’re happy to do the work for you.