How To Buy a Sailboat

Stefan Schuchter is a boat builder by trade and responsible for the assembly and high-quality finish of Esseboats yachts in Stäfa on Lake Zurich.

1. Buy or Rent a Sailboat?

How often, and on what occasions do you want to sail? Purchasing a boat comes with a set of advantages: The boat is always at your disposal. As the owner, you can have it individually outfitted according to your preferences, and you will become more personally familiar with the boat. With experience, handling the boat becomes second nature, and you can enjoy the constantly changing challenges on the water even more. All these elements combined create perfect conditions for fun and relaxed sailing. On the other hand, there are advantages of renting, like lower costs and commitment.

2. What Type of Sailor are You?

Are you a competitive sailor or a leisure sailor? That’s a question to consider when choosing your sailing yacht in terms of boat type, comfort and equipment. Sporty sailing boats, such as Esse 750, Esse 850 and Esse 990, come without dispensable equipment details and focus strictly on simplicity as well as highly efficient materials. With such a sporty yacht you can not only sail at high speed, you’re ready to go in no time, and you can have a fantastic experience even without a crew. A great option for the leisure sailor is the Esse 330 a new weekend cruiser with a comfortable cabin, dining table and refrigerator. This spacious boat is suitable for inland waters as well short trips in the open ocean. However, if you want to sail around the world, we recommend a larger yacht.

3. What License Do You Need as a Skipper?

For Swiss inland waters a permit called Category D is sufficient. Outside of Switzerland, the requirements vary from country to country. Switzerland offers a number of highly reputable sailing schools such as the Swiss Nautic Academy in Zurich, where you can complete a sailing course on an Esse 850.

4. Where Do You Find a Boat Mooring?

Not an easy quest in Switzerland, unless you inherit one. Joking aside, you should have your name placed on a waiting list, and also, be persistent and keep asking. Don’t hesitate to ask us, too, because we have a large network and can almost always help find a solution.

5. What’s the Difference Between a regatta Boat and a "Regular" Sailboat?

Traditionally, a regatta boat is considered a rather complex boat that is exclusively geared towards speed, often at the expense of user-friendliness and stability. A “regular” sailing boat is usually heavier, more stable and easier to use, yet often harder to steer and less agile. Esseboats yachts combine the best of both worlds: They perform like a great regatta boat, but they also offer the ease of handlingthat comes with a high-quality cruising boat.

6. Which Swiss Sailing Boats are Available?

Up until the 1970s, a large number of sailing boats were built in Switzerland. They were mainly made of wood. With the advent of plastic-composite construction, the wooden sailboat disappeared. Besides Esseboats, there are currently only two other sailboat manufacturers on Lake Geneva, Lüthy and Psaros.

7. How Does Purchasing a Sailboat Work?

If you’re interested in a specific boat, ask for detailed information. In addition to the price tag itself, you should also pay attention to what’s included. Which sails are part of the package? Do you also need an outboard motor and a trailer? What’s the maximum draft that a boat can have to be admissible in your home port? You also want to find out about the options to personalize the sailboat according to your wishes, like the color of the hull, or the outfitting with teak wood? Currently, you’ll find the trend moving towards more individualized designs , especially with the Esse 330. Once you have an overview, take the boat out on the water. It’s the only way to get a feel for whether it’s the right boat for you. Which brings us to the next point:

8. Can You Test a Sailboat?

Take the opportunity to sail along with your friends or ask the manufacturer directly. At Esseboats you have the opportunity to take different boats for a test on the water, accompanied by a professional guide. Therefore, we encourage you to arrange a non-binding, free test sailing. With a short lead time, it’s also possible to test a boat for several days. In this case, however, as is customary with other vehicle leases, Esseboats will transfer the liability to the interested party for the agreed period.

9. What Happens When You Actually Buy?

As with all purchases, the sale will be sealed by a contract, and making a deposit is a standard part of the process. Please note that there are varying delivery times.

10. What’s to Consider After Purchasing a Boat?

How is a sailing boat “redeemed” in Switzerland? What type of papers do you need? To put your mind at ease, our boats are typically delivered with the necessary documentation, so you can transfer and enjoy it without any complications. The papers that we hand out include the CE confirmation, as well as a user manual and certificate of conformity. We can request proof of insurance on your behalf, or you can do it yourself.

If you have further questions, please contact us. We are happy to help!

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