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NAUTICA MAGAZINE
NAVIGATION TEST

Article selected from thousand boat trials performed by Nautica in nearly 50 years

Navigation trials

Please remember that the boat model described in this article could be no more available and its price, if indicated, could be outdated as it refers to the Nautica Magazine paper issue

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Text and photographs by Roberto Moneda

SESSA MARINE - OYSTER 34

After having consolidated its position on the market by expanding its traditional main product - boats with outboards - Sessa Marine decided to produce larger cabin cruisers as well. Last year, when the flagship Oyster 36 was presented, Sessa Marine was enthusiastically acclaimed, even more than expected. In fact, the production manager Mr. Massimo Radice, told us the number of units produced had exceeded by 30% the estimated outlook of the previous year.

These numbers explain why the yard thought of strategically launching, on the wake of the 36, a new important cabin cruiser, the Oyster 34, a smaller version of the flagship. Notwithstanding the small size, this new fast commuter is an ambitious boat with a strong personality, offering original open spaces on deck and comfortable interiors with top quality materials. The newborn Oyster 34 is the result of the experience gained in the construction of this type of boats. The Oyster 34 was born from the cooperation of the yard's technical design department with Styleproject - a pool of designers, coming from the automobile sector, who have been working in boat design for years.

The result does not go unnoticed: the boat has a beautiful outside line and top quality interior finishing. At the helm, the Oyster 34 gives an excellent impression: the top speed exceeds 36 knots with two 230hp-Volvo Penta diesel stern drives, seakeeping ability is excellent and corresponds to the design spirit of the boat.

TECHNICAL DATA

Designer: Massimo Radice and Styleproject
Yard: Sessa Marine, Via Maggi 41; 20050 Lesmo (Milan, Italy) tel. +39-039-628441, fax +39-039-6980260
EC Category type: B
LOA: 33'9"
LWL: 25'2"
Beam: 11'7"
Depth: 5'6"
Draft from lower tip of propellers: 2'2"
Displacement: 17,042 lbs.
Maximum passengers capacity: 10 (1,987 lbs.)
Berths: 4+1 in 2 cabins
Test boat power: 2x230-hp Volvo Penta Kad 42 Turbo diesel
Total installed power: 460 hp
Total engines and reduction gears weight: 2x1,196 lbs.
Light displacement/installed power ratio: 37 lbs./hp
Type of transmission: stern drive
Maximum declared speed: 36 knots
Cruising speed: 25 knots
Declared fuel consumption at cruising speed: 16 gallons/hr
Range at cruising speed: approximately 187.5 miles
Fuel capacity: 119 gallons
Freshwater capacity: 63 gallons
Road transportation: exceptional cargo
Price with standard equipment and test boat power: Lit. 248,000,000 ex VAT (optional power:2x250 hp Mercruiser 4.2 LTD, Lit, 238,000,000; 2x180 hp Mercruiser 3,6 L D, Lit, 219,000,000; 2x227 hp Mercruiser 4.3 LEFI gasoline I, Lit. 198,000,000.)

CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS

Hull: V-hull with 16° deadrise aft
Hull construction material: stratified and hand-reinforced fiberglass; molded fiberglass deck, fiberglass roll-bar, integrated aft platform
Deck materials and characteristics: the deck is ample, fitted with surrounding stainless steel pulpit that connects to the roll-bar. Sunning cushioning may be added in the central part of the deck, which is fitted with side grabrails
Forward area: round forward hatch, bow platform with chain roller and anchor chain hawse, electrical windlass
Characteristics of the aft platform: integrated swimming platform with anti-slipping flooring, stainless steel swimming ladder concealed when not in use, cold and hot water shower; outside recesses for fender stowage and ample locker for life raft
Cockpit arrangements and fittings: excellent décor. The cockpit includes a C-shaped dinette and opposite there is a special cabinet with bar, refrigerator and sink. A central table may be fitted in the dinette. The dashboard is fitted to starboard, opposite there is another dinette with an L-shaped settee.

INTERIORS

Layout and characteristics: access belowdecks is to port, by means of a sliding door, on the side of the molded central passage leading to the forward deck. At the bottom of three steps, forward of the L-shaped galley, there is the dinette to starboard. The bathroom is opposite and the cabin is forward, separated by a sliding curtain. Access to the aft cabin is to port of the companionway. It may be fitted either with twin beds or with a double bed
Helm station: the helm station is outside, it is fitted with a simple dashboard with three walnut root-like panels. The wooden steering wheel is custom-made the throttle controls in casing are to the side. The pilot chair is comfortable and may be adjusted for steering while standing
Chart table: near the helm station and to the side of the co-pilot settee, under the windshield
Galley: very well fitted and practical, with anti- scratching worktop. The galley is not very large but it is rationally arranged and it is fitted with several cabinets and good quality range, refrigerator and oven
Bathroom: ample, well-lit and very well finished, it is fitted with a cabinet with sink, marine-type toilet and shower. Headroom is approx. 5'11".

FITTINGS

Standard fittings: anchor and 164' long anchor chain, 5,5- gallon water heater, compass, stereo with two additional loudspeakers, forward sunning cushioning, outside shower with 16- gallon water tank, echo-sounder, refrigerator, 220-volt electric plant with dockside connection, automatic bilge pump, 12-volt socket, sewage tank, cockpit cover, electrical windlass, electrical marine-type toilet
Optional fittings: rudder angle indicator, antifouling paint, air conditioning system, auto-pilot, dockside connection, chain counter, additional dinette cushioning and flooring, additional aft cabin cushioning and flooring, icebox, davits concealed when not in use, 3.5 kW generator, GPS Plotter, cradle, sunshade, hydraulic gangway, kitchen mirror, 10" TV set, windshield wiper, 25-watt VHF in cabin.

IMPRESSIONS

SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING BOAT TESTING
Wind: none
Lake: calm

PERFORMANCE
Time needed to reach planing speed: 4.7 seconds
Maximum speed at 3,800 rpm's: 36.5 knots
Cruising speed at 3,000 rpm's: 25 knots

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

Seakeeping ability: even if the lake conditions were calm and the exceptional qualities of the hull could not be fully tested, we steered the boat in the wake of a local ferryboat, at maximum speed and at cruising speed, and the Oyster 34 was smooth on the water and had an excellent trim
Wheel and flap response: response to the wheel is quick and adequate. Most probably, performance is improved when the yacht is powered by the 500-hp Mercruiser engines. Flaps are sensitive and adequate
Helm station: the pilot seat is comfortable and very well protected against the wind; instruments are easy to read and adequately positioned; the steering wheel is of high quality and throttle controls are suitably positioned
Docking maneuverability: excellent in any conditions.

EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY

Deck: ideal solutions designed for extra comfort both in the cockpit as well as forward. The forward sunning area may be easily reached through the central passage across the windshield. The superb finishing and design of the cockpit is the result of the acquired experience of the yard and of its willingness to satisfy at best its clients. The outside sink and icebox are very useful. Interiors: the finishing is excellent. Critics might dislike the American-style open space in a boat with Italian quality details. The dinette is comfortable and very well arranged, with an oval adjustable table. The galley is well fitted but discreet. Choice of a double bed or twin beds (with optional central flooring) in the aft cabin is highly appreciated. Upholstery and lining material is of the best quality. Lacquer work is worthy of the tradition of the Lesmo-based yard
Helm station: the helm station is very well protected. The three-paneled dashboard is discreet yet adequately fitted. The pilot seat may be adjusted.
Galley: simple, spacious and rational. It is fitted with good-quality appliances. Adequate number of cabinets
Bathroom: very well finished, fitted with a cabinet with sink, good natural lighting
Engine room: access from the cockpit
Electrical switchboard and plants: rational electrical switchboard belowdecks and outside battery switches.