X-Yachts is renewing its cruising line and at the same time widening the gap between the so-called X-Pure and XC models. The Danes confidently declare that their first model, the XC-47, is "better than any other boat in its class".
And they are not that wrong. In fact, the 15-metre yacht, whose striking lines take some getting used to, impressed both conceptually and substantially. The level of detail in the interior is simply impressive, better than other top boats in the luxury class. The sailing characteristics and seaworthiness do not disappoint.
What's more, compared to its predecessors, the XC-45 and XC-50, it offers far greater independence. It is a boat that completely reinterprets long-distance sailing in a consistent manner.
Plenty of storage space below deck
Examples? Oh, there are plenty! Let's start with the secondary virtues, which are more important in a blue water boat than in a cruising yacht that is trimmed more for performance: probably no other model in the luxury segment offers so much easily accessible storage space.
And we don't just mean the enormously deep sail load in the foredeck and the equally huge aft locker, which is also perfectly accessible via a wide lid that opens aft. No, the XC-47 has that little bit of extra space everywhere: in the mirror cabinets of the two practical heads compartments, for example, but also underneath. There is a whole wall of cupboards in the foredeck (literally!). The absolute highlight, however, are the storage compartments under the berths in the aft section!
If the bunks in the two guest compartments are split, you can sit on one of them and easily lift the mattress and the bunk board underneath. Like almost everything on the XC-47, this is not simply laid on top or locked in place by milled grooves, but is guided on hinges and held in place by gas pressure springs. A flick of the wrist and almost 400 litres of storage space are open. There is even a mesh pocket at the front to help divide the space - ideal for dirty laundry, for example.
The XC-47 is the first boat from a new in-house design team
The floorboards are not made of solid plywood, but have a foam sandwich core around which a frame is carpentry-finished. This means they can be thicker, do not warp and still save weight. Crazy!
Another example: for the hinges of the compartment doors, X-Yachts does not miss the opportunity to mill out the frame timbers by a few millimetres. You can't build anything more beautiful and functional than this, and it could hardly be more elaborate. A feast for quality fetishists.
Actually, we only want to share first impressions; for more, the detailed test report will follow in YACHT 25. So a word about the design: the XC-47 is the first boat not designed by Niels Jeppesen, who co-founded the shipyard and managed it as a partner for many years. He now designs for Arcona. The XC is therefore the first model from the in-house design team, led by Thomas Mielec.
And indeed, it stands out with the hexagonal design of the superstructure and hull windows. This stylistic element runs through the entire boat. For example, the openings of the doors to the cupboards and lockers are milled hexagonally. An unusual element for X. The sheer size and, in particular, height of the hull is also not exactly typical of the brand from Haderslev. However, these characteristics give the XC-47 its very unique appearance.
The new model from X-Yachts also knows how to sail
She looks dominant, powerful and perhaps a little heavy when compared to her sisters in the Performance Cruiser series. Nevertheless, the image suits her intended use, and she will always cut a fine figure at anchor in the Caribbean, where angular steel and aluminium yachts are bobbing about or cats with flybridges reminiscent of wedding cakes. Especially as the volume below deck brings with it a spaciousness and lightness that makes it easy to endure any extended stay in bad weather.
The XC-47 is a joy to sail anyway. It is easy to bring up to and even just above hull speed, has reassuringly high stability reserves and a good-naturedness on the rudder that successfully helps to avoid sun shots. During the test of construction number 1, the only thing that surprised us was the somewhat stiff steering, which guarantees a lot of feedback but is unnecessarily strenuous in the long run. The shipyard is still considering modifications. And while we're on the subject of moaning: The traveller in front of the companionway also needs a reduction gear. Even at 4 Beaufort, it can hardly be heaved to windward without the mainsheet being clearly fouled.
But that's about it. Apart from that, X-Yachts Neue is a real joy - a boat that actually offers almost everything that counts in cruising for many owners. Not only space, safety and comfort, but also pleasure, enjoyment and, yes, pride. This XC-47 is a strong piece - and rightly a finalist for Europe's Yacht of the Year in the Luxury Cruiser category.
