Which One do I get.

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Leeloafer

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After trying to choose between the Jenneau 625 and the Beneteau Antares, I've just come across the Sessa Dorado 22 which on the face of it looks a better bet than the other two. Anybody know about this boat ?? How does it handle with a Yama 100 ?? I'm new to the motorboat world, having got too old to man the halyards.
 
Leeloafer said:
After trying to choose between the Jenneau 625 and the Beneteau Antares, I've just come across the Sessa Dorado 22 which on the face of it looks a better bet than the other two. Anybody know about this boat ?? How does it handle with a Yama 100 ?? I'm new to the motorboat world, having got too old to man the halyards.
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Don't know the sessa dorado but just looked at a few pics on google... it does look a bit more basic than either of the two frenchies which is saying something.... but plus sides, it has a built in fridge, seating opposite the helm and decent berth forward.... I can see the appeal... I doubt they would be as good resale wise as everyone knows the Merry Fisher and Anatares.... the Sessa Dorado...not so much! May mean you could get a deal...

2270206_5.jpg


in fact this one looked good with full aft enclosure as well...

http://uk.yachtworld.com/core/listing/photoGallery.jsp?slim=quick&currency=GBP&units=Meters&seo=0&checked_boats=2270206&boat_id=2270206&back=/core/boats/2007/Sessa-Dorado-22-2270206/United-Kingdom&boat_id=2270206
 
We had a MF625 which we loved to bits but the Sessa looks better inside. The fold down helm seat is a good idea, giving more floor space but the lack of a backrest may be a problem. They've managed to fit a fridge in too.
If the build quality is good I'd go for the Sessa, but resale could be a problem as already said as MF and Bene are well trusted in this market.
 
Many thanks for that info Firefly 625. Your comments about resale are valid, but I've got a feeling that at my age this is probably the last boat I shall buy !! I did in fact go and see the boat you indicated, at Eastbourne. Super boat. Very high spec., but my wallet freaked out at the price. I'm on the track of a cheaper job at Pompey

Thanks again, Leeloafer
 
Hey Philiz, Thanks for your prompt reply. I too thought that the interior layout was better than both the MF & Antares. Rgarding resale, as I said to Firefly, perhaps not so important. I'm negotiating for a Sessa at Pompey so I'll let you know how I get on, when I get to know this site a bit better. Cheers leeloafer
 
Leeloafer said:
Many thanks for that info Firefly 625. Your comments about resale are valid, but I've got a feeling that at my age this is probably the last boat I shall buy !! I did in fact go and see the boat you indicated, at Eastbourne. Super boat. Very high spec., but my wallet freaked out at the price. I'm on the track of a cheaper job at Pompey

Thanks again, Leeloafer
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well in that case go for the one that will give you the greatest pleasure!! we had a MF625 and loved it, downsides were it didn't have a built in fridge and seating beside helm was limited... so this sessa really looks to have seen what the competition does and improved upon it... a Yamaha 100hp would push it along nicely and I am sure would be super reliable.
 
When I bought my first boat some years back I looked at the MF635 and indeed a Sessa Dorado 22. Both about the same price, but the MF was a couple of years older. Went out in both, the Sessa went like a bomb and was from memory of a reasonable build quality. It had an Optimax 135 on it. It was a great boat, but had a very short range according to the broker. I bought the MF because it was diesel, had a longer range and to get the potential better resale on disposal.
 
Hi Paul, thanks for all that info. All very interesting and helpful. I've only just joined the Forum so didn't know of the previous thread. Cheers, Leeloafer
 
All three boats come from reasonable stables with the Beneteau and the Jeanneau coming off the same production line.

The Sessa looks smart and on the face of it does look like a bit more boat for the money, but it will be a bit juicier to run at planning speeds and at low speeds it can be a real handful to get to behave as it has nothing in the water to help keep her steering rather than sliding. Compare this to the other two and they have little baby keels which, whilst small, have a massive effect on low speed handling.

For sheer volume the Sessa has it, however I would prefer a bigger engine to get better fuel economy (better power to weight ratios than the 100).

For general all round ownership pleasure and ease of driving then I would plump for one of the other two, which one would be personal taste, for me the Jeanneau, but then I am biased as I sold them for several years and also own it's bigger sister now.
 
Many thanks for that info. Looks like the only problem is handling. I'm an ex sailing type so maybe my experience from that will help. Cheers anyway, Leeloafer
 
At the time I was buying my boat, back in 2004 I looked at all the peche promenade boats, including the then current Sessa model.

In the end I opted for the MF625 or the Antares 650, purely because of reputation, but because I also wanted a heavy boat that would not roll when going forward to do fenders and anchor.

Light boats scare me when they tip as you step aboard, which doesn't happen in the MF or Antares.

Not sure what the new Sessa's are like, but before you buy, step aboard on that is in the water.

In the end I bought the Antares 650 and still have it.
 
Leeloafer said:
Many thanks for that info. Looks like the only problem is handling. I'm an ex sailing type so maybe my experience from that will help. Cheers anyway, Leeloafer
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Sail baot handling will have no bearing on small planning hull handling.

The point here is that you had a rudder and a keel, this has no rudder and no keel.
The Sessa is a nice boat, but will slide sideways (I call it the tea tray effect) when turning at lower speeds.
 
Light boats scare me when they tip as you step aboard, which doesn't happen in the MF or Antares.
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Interesting...

Antares 650 - Dry weight: 1060 Kg without engine
Jeanneau MF625 - Dry weight: 950 Kg without engine
Sessa Dorado 22 - Dry weight: 1100 Kg without engine
 
Not just because I have one but I wouldn't put Sessa in the same league as the other two. It's definitely a cut above and I believe europe's largest pleasure motorboat builder by volume?
 
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