Sessa C43

When it comes to building fine boats, there's no substitute for experience. A case in point is Sessa, a family-owned yard in Milan, Italy, that's been crafting distinctive designs for 50 years. Those decades of work are evident in the company's new C43. While this model is steeped in a tradition of quality, it's also at the forefront of style and technology, and it's a testimony to the talents of Sessa's in-house design team.

As I discovered during my sea trial, it really is hard to believe this is a 43-footer. The space and accommodations certainly seem matched for a much larger yacht. Indeed, none of the space within the hull has been wasted. Down below are two generous double cabins, each with its own head. There's also a salon and a galley down, but the main social areas are up in the cockpit, where there are two seating areas plus what amounts to a second galley. With so many creature comforts, I found myself wondering how the builder found space for the engines that give the C43 its lively performance. As I learned, the benefits of the Volvo Penta IPS system were maximized on this Sessa. The propulsion frees up a lot more usable space than a conventional engine installation could.

The cockpit is huge. I tested the U.S. version of the C43, which has a big, circular table and settee aft. (Europeans tend to like a sun bed that covers a tender garage.) Forward there's a second settee and table to port that is almost identical to the other, only this one faces the outdoor galley with an electric cooktop, sink, fridge and upright stowage for bottles.

The forward seating area extends up to the dash, where a locker conceals a plasma TV. It seems more boat owners want this feature, and I suppose there is something to be said for watching a great movie while sitting under the stars. For gazing at the stars, there's an opening sunroof. On cool nights, you can enclose the entire cockpit with a canvas cover. Use the cover during the day to make the most of the boat's reverse-cycle airconditioning system. This really is a boat for all seasons.

The helm to starboard is impressive. The double seat faces a central navigation screen; above it are analog instruments ? secondary displays and the autopilot are to the sides of the screen. The wheel angle is adjustable, and the throttles, joystick and bow thruster controls are to the driver's right. It is all logical and sensible. If I could tweak one thing, it would be the top of the windscreen frame, which is too close to eye level when you're standing at the helm.

From the cockpit, you step down to the companionway, and upon entering the cabin, you see the galley to port. The dining table with settee is opposite the galley. The striking features in the cabin are the two beautiful staterooms. The master is amidships, with a low double berth angled across the space. Thanks to a large window on each side of this stateroom, the owner can enjoy a panoramic view of the bay, all while lying in bed. There's a TV, too, and good lockers. The adjoining head is very generous in size. The forward cabin is also a double, only it has portholes instead of windows. The hatch in the deck brings in natural light. The finish in both cabins, as well as in the salon, is a mixture of light wood and pale fabric paneling. It makes for warm decor, although, if this is not your style, Sessa offers many color options.

The Sessa C43 shines in the harbor, but it excels at sea. During my run off Cannes, France, top speed was a solid 32 knots. Just as notable is the fact that the speed goes handin- hand with thoroughbred handling that is precise and exciting. The seas on test day (early evening, actually) were eerily calm, but there was a low swell to liven things up, plus the wakes of passing boats. The C43 handled these conditions with ease. I have no reason to think the deep-V hull won't be able to handle much more challenging conditions given sensible use of the throttle.

As for the IPS propulsion, it delivered the smooth and quiet ride it has a reputation for. However, IPS really comes into its own when maneuvering in the harbor. Switch on the joystick that directs both the drives and the bowthruster and you are in complete control. Point the joystick in the direction you want the boat to travel and the electronics answer your every command. Even with the boat moving sideways, I saw 3 knots on the GPS!

Finally, the C43 has sleek lines to match its sporty performance. The hull is deep, but it looks slim and feels wellbalanced. This is a sizzling new design from Sessa that demonstrates the builder's experience in the cruiser category, and it throws down the gauntlet to all competitors.