X-Yachts has released details and images from the first sea trials of its new X4°, the latest and smallest member of the successful Pure X range.
Since its first appearance for the media at Boot in Düsseldorf this past January, X-Yachts has sold 14 of the new model, which blends quality, performance and styling with cruising capability.
It’s another fine example in line with X-Yachts’ design philosophy, which co-founder Niels Jeppesen discusses below:
The first boat was launched in Denmark last month and has undergone its first sea trials to test sails with the design and production crew — an experience the company describes as “very rewarding”.
Checking a brand-new boat’s sailing performance requires going through a long list of checks, says X-Yachts’ newly appointed director of design and engineering, Thomas Mielec.
“Among other things trim, rig and engineering of the mast are important points. In the gusty breeze on the second test day, we saw need of further tension on the rigging of the otherwise nicely standing Axxon carbon mast. This will be addressed on the coming sea trials this week.
“The boat seemed perfectly balanced with a nice feel to the helm with adequate weather helm going up wind both in light winds and in a gusty breeze.
“The steering system seemed highly responsive in all conditions and left us feeling really well in control even when going under the gennaker on a very tight reach in 22-plus knots of wind in gusty conditions.
“It took a lot of effort and mis-trimming and bad steering to actually make the rudder stall, and even then, it gave us good warning before losing the grip.
“A thorough inspection of all structural parts affected of forces from mast and rigging was commenced in 24-plus knots of wind on the beat. It left us with the impression of a very stiff and sturdy construction, performing just the way we want it to.
“We have experienced a very smooth and silent running engine of the well preforming brand Yanmar. Yanmar later on assisted us on minor tweaking of propeller dimension in order to achieve the perfect match of engine, boat and propeller.
“As regards deck layout ergonomics and geometry, a lot of notes where taken, but in fact only smaller tweaks and changes are required.”
The X4° will be offered in a two-cabin layout in 2019, but from 2020 a three-cabin layout will be added to the model configurations. The two-cabin layout has a double cabin aft to port, and the three-cabin will forego the aft sail locker and add a double cabin to starboard.
X-Yachts says it has worked on creating an interior which feels vast in spite of its compact size. The interior comes standard in Nordic oak veneers with teak laminate on floorboards. All veneers are hand-selected by X-Yachts’ specialists by of one of the most exclusive suppliers for the marine market for high quality yachts.
As for pricing, an X4° standard boat is €257,500 (exclusive of VAT). Included in the price is a pack of X-Yachts Qualities, valued at €48,700.
To register your interest in the new X4°, and for further information, get in touch with info@x-yachtsireland.com.
And if you want to configure your own X4°, explore the online X-Configurator.
