Sessa Fly 40 (12 m), testing an exceptional compact di cruiser – From the Archives

New week, new iconic youngtimer. So it is the turn of the Sessa Fly 40, an excellent candidate to continue our successful series on great boats and their trials, unique pieces kept in our archives. After the Magellan 50 then, we change genres, now looking at a sporty and attractive cruiser, the Fly 40 precisely, rich in space, performance and on-board comfort. A boat that, in 2012, had left us more than satisfied.

Sessa Fly 40

“With its 12.6 meters.”, writes our correspondent at the time, “the Sessa Fly 40 is a half miracle. It has volumetries comparable to those of a 45′, that is, similar to boats as much as two meters longer.” This is thanks, as we shall see, to the careful study of space and the large fly, which, taking advantage of all the aft momentum, gives not only additional space but also protected and safe areas. Also taking over to complete the boat are the comfortable interior and sporty hull, which, as will be seen, will prove to be really no small goodies.

Don’t miss previous articles:

• Continental 50 S
• Rizzardi 55 Incredible
• Mig 43
• Prestige 60
• Portofino 11 Meters
• Rio 46 Air
• Bluegame 40
• Maxi Dolphin MD51
• Magellan 50

Deck

It is not easy to be able to combine all the desired elements while creating harmonious, balanced forms. One must therefore acknowledge the work of Christian Grande, who with the Sessa Fly 40 has been able to combine abundant volumes and clean lines in an excellently executed 40-footer.

Starting from the top is first of all the Fly. This is where the ever-present dashboard takes its place, very complete (2012) in terms of equipment, and a ‘sunroom’ area forward of it, an area that then extends L-shaped to the left, back to the stern and creating a comfortable lounge area. Instead, aft of the driver’s seat is a generously sized bar cabinet, so that it can also be equipped as a true second kitchenette. Space that ends with an aft dinette, another comfortable lounge overlooking the sea.

The counterplank then extends to cover the entire stern and thus comes to protect the cockpit below as well. This, in turn, boasts respectable dimensions and allows for a second, very collected dinette, ideal for outdoor dining even when the weather turns less forgiving. The two sturdy uprights supporting the fly allow for the attachment of a retractable awning, useful here for protection from the sun and/or curious glances when in port. The walkways, directed toward the sundeck located at the bow, are of good size (30 cm) and facilitate movement, also protected by the stanchion.

The irregular design of the glazing is characteristic, with a single generously sized element, while on the still life the light to the cabins is provided by portholes and windows. Finally, convenient is the double access to the aft swim platform, definitely important in size, very useful for housing the pram and providing convenient access to the sea.

Sessa Fly 40 – Interior

“Such cozy interiors almost make you want it to start raining,” recalls someone who tried this 40-footer for Motor Boats in a note, summing up the attention and care present on board. Starting from the stern, to the left, is a cabinet full of storage solutions, while, opposite, is the well-sized interior dinette, complete with a comfortable L-shaped sofa. Forward, the covered dashboard combines the rationality of the open one with a very attractive design that is decidedly successful in the combination of analog and digital instruments and materials.

Only three steps lead to the lower deck where, on the right, is the galley, which, without a sky and in direct communication with the saloon, leaves ample space for smoke evacuation and is also close to the covered dinette; the volume is generous and also well utilized, and nothing is really missing from the equipment-not to mention that it also serves as a hallway for the sleeping area.

The latter consists of two cabins developed in the traditional vein and, therefore, with a classic layout. Well sized and very well furnished, they offer, respectively, a classic double berth in the bow, and, the middle one, two single berths. Good in both the height, 200 to 190 cm at the entrance. The two bathrooms are very similar in layout and almost the same in size, both have separate shower stalls and provide guests with excellent privacy without preference.

Sessa Fly 40 – Motorization and performance

“Cannes, French Riviera. The bay is rocked by waves, not ideal conditions for going out, but a boat must still be able to cope with them to the best of its ability, gladly without them. So traditionally, you try it anyway. On board is the standard, and only, motorization of the Sessa Fly 40: a pair of Volvo IPS 400s rated at 300 horsepower each.As mentioned, the sea is definitely rough, so let that be taken into account, because the test will undoubtedly be affected.

The boat is not equipped with fuel consumption software, so the data we report were collected by the shipyard in another test, which is also interesting for comparing performance in calmer seas. The progression is excellent and, just from the con- comparison of the data I note that the speeds are almost identical, less than a knot of deviation at the maximum (27.8 con- trough 28.4 with calm sea) confirming the excellent performance of the Fly 40 hull. A feeling that is reiterated even when I subject it to sudden changes of direction, approached with great confidence and tight turning radii compatible with the sea, but above all with a smooth passage over the wave without ever “beating” violently.

The minimum glide is held at 2100 rpm and 12 knots, with a consumption of just over 40 liters/hour, while the cruising glide, indicated by the shipyard as 22 knots, is reached at about 3000 rpm with a consumption of about 85 liters/hour, definitely interesting data. The phonometric test also confirms the positive feeling I had as soon as I got on board; it becomes difficult to distinguish how much wind and wave noise affects the hull and how much the noise of the engines, which are certainly well soundproofed. Even at sea (and what a sea!) the Sessa Fly 40 thus confirms everything good it had hinted at on paper. Just a beautiful boat.”

Sessa Fly 40 – Performance and Data

Data recorded with rough seas, 10 kn of true wind (TWS) and 450 lt. of fuel taken on board.

Technical specs

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