ESSE 850
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 27.89 ft |
| LWL | 26.18 ft |
| Beam | 7.22 ft |
| Draft | 6.56 ft |
| Displacement | 2,777.8 lb |
| Ballast | 1,543.1 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 33.4 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.1 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 34.4 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.1 ft |
| Mainsail | 391.6 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 168.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 317.6 sq ft |
Engine
| Commonly | Volvo Penta |
About the ESSE 850
The keel is retracted by 50 cm when on the trailer in order to reduce the overall towing height to 3.30 m. Thanks to Mark E. for providing correction.
The Esse 850 is a lightweight, performance-oriented fractional sloop designed by Umberto Felci and built by Proteus Yachts (IT) starting in 2004. With a displacement of 2777.8 lb and a comfort ratio of 11.55, this 27.89 ft LOA vessel prioritizes speed and agility over heavy cruising comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruisers and day sailors who value high performance and easy handling, particularly those interested in single-handed sailing due to its manageable size and fractional rig.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 2777.8 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.06, the Esse 850 is not ideally suited for extended bluewater passages, as its light hull form and variable keel configuration prioritize coastal performance over offshore stability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 27 and the J/27, as they share similar fractional sloop rigs, lightweight displacement characteristics, and a focus on racing-capable coastal cruising from the same era.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(42 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.3 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.2 |
| 60° | 4.6 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| 75° | 4.8 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 8.5 |
| 90° | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| 110° | 4.7 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 10.6 | 11.4 |
| 120° | 4.5 | 6.0 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 8.7 | 9.5 | 10.2 | 11.4 | 12.4 |
| 135° | 4.0 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9.8 | 11.0 | 12.9 | 14.8 |
| 150° | 3.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 9.5 | 12.8 | 15.8 |
| Beat VMG | 2.7 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Run VMG | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 11.1 | 13.7 |
Images
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the ESSE 850 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 27.89ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
14 reported issues across 7 systems for the ESSE 850, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a ESSE 850? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 14 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your ESSE 850?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Volvo Penta, Yanmar — is it one of these?
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the ESSE 850
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…