One name, one brand: over the years, Niels Jeppesen has had a special influence on the construction and design of X-Yachts boats. Hardly any other manufacturer has characterised the type identity of its products as much as the yacht builder in Denmark. An X is unmistakable - unmistakably Jeppesen. At least until now.
After more than 40 years in exclusive service to X-Yachts, Niels Jeppesen and his design partner Ariadna Pons are now working for Arcona Yachts, which now forms a group of companies with Najad Yachts. The collaboration between Jeppesen & Pons in the London office and the yacht builders in Sweden is being manifested these days with the announcement of a flagship for the Arcona programme. What has been shown piece by piece over the last few days and weeks as a smart, virtual presentation in the social networks from the Arcona Yachts hall now clearly shows the typical signature of Niels Jeppesen. Just a quick glance is not enough to recognise the main differences between the new Arcona 50 and the similarly sized X 4.9. The differences lie in the details.
The most obvious distinguishing feature is probably the two rudder blades. In his work for X-Yachts, Niels Jeppesen has always refrained from using double steering fins. On the Arcona 50, with its even wider stern, flat frame and strongly indented waterline, they are intended to offer advantages, especially on long strokes, with better control and more direct response behaviour. The two rudder shafts are installed relatively far forward so that a dinghy with motor can be stored transversely in the spacious stern garage. The Arcona 50 is equipped as standard with a high, high-performance three-salings aluminium rig with rod shrouds. A carbon fibre mast and/or a furling boom will be available as an option. The buyer also has the choice of sailing the boat with a short overlapping genoa or a self-tacking jib.
The interior of the Arcona 50 is also similar to the X 4.9, at least as far as the layout is concerned. The layout remains conventional for this size of boat, with three double cabins and two heads, each with a separate shower compartment. Variants are available for the aft cabins, which can be fitted with either a double bed or two separate single berths. There are also variants for the galley as a closed functional unit in U-shape or in an open system with an island module amidships. The interior fittings are made of Khaya mahogany as standard from the shipyard, but the furniture is also available in light-coloured oak. Unfortunately, no visualisations of the interior fittings are currently available from the shipyard.
Arcona Yachts has not yet announced any details on the technical specifications, the design, the available options or the prices. The pricing is likely to be particularly exciting, especially in comparison with the X 4.9, which is around half a metre shorter and will undoubtedly become one of the Arcona 50's most important competitors. To put things in perspective: the boat from Denmark currently costs around 735,000 euros.
The keel of the new flagship will be laid in September 2022 at Arcona Yachts' production facility in Uddevalla. All of the brand's models over 40 feet (Arcona 415 / 435 / 465 Carbon) will be built there. The first 50-footer is due to be completed and presented in spring 2023.
