Esse Marine

Esse Marine – Baltic Builders of High-Performance Sportboats
Esse Marine is an Estonian shipyard specializing in lightweight, high-performance one-design racing keelboats and sport boat cruisers. Founded in 2004 by Josef Schuchter (an Austrian entrepreneur with a passion for fast, minimalist sailing), the yard is based in Kuressaare, Saaremaa Island, Estonia—a historic maritime hub known for skilled craftsmanship and cost-effective composite building. Esse Marine leverages Baltic expertise in vacuum-infused carbon and epoxy to produce agile, trailerable designs that prioritize speed, ease of handling, and short-handed racing. With a focus on the "Esse experience"—thrilling planning performance in light winds—the yard has built over 500 hulls across its lineup, fostering active European class associations. As of 2025, Esse remains independent and innovative, expanding into smaller models like the Esse 750 while maintaining its reputation for quality and value.