The X-79 is not a small cruising yacht with a few regatta ambitions. It is a sports yacht that, for its size, offers a surprising amount of cruising capability. An eight-metre hull length, a wide stern by the standards of the time, a powerful 7/8 rig and a large symmetrical spinnaker make it a yacht that demands commitment and sailing skill. Anyone looking for a second-hand X-79 is therefore not buying an all-rounder suitable for every situation. They are buying a light, lively racer with an active regatta scene, a remarkable amount of usable space and a clear focus on sailing.
X-Yachts’ first launch
When Niels Jeppesen designed the X-79 in 1979, it was difficult to categorise. Today, it seems like a forerunner of what has long been standard on fast performance cruisers: plenty of beam aft and a hull capable of more than just displacement cruising. It also features a large sail area on a mast that’s easy to trim, a deck layout designed for performance, and all of this for a crew that has to work hard. The X-79 was therefore ahead of its time. However, it lacked the comfort and safety reserves of today’s performance cruisers.
The X-79 is not just any model in X-Yachts’ history; it marks the beginning of this renowned shipyard. That barn in Haderslev later gave rise to one of the defining brands in European performance yacht building. Today, X-Yachts lists the X-79 as the very first model in its own history, with 468 units built between 1979 and 1994.
The data
From today’s perspective, the key figures do not seem particularly impressive. The X-79 has an overall length of 7.96 metres, is 2.88 metres wide and has a draught of 1.33 metres. The YACHT Second-hand Boat Test specifies a weight of 1.5 tonnes and around 700 kilograms of ballast. The class rules stipulate a weight of between 650 and 680 kilograms for the keel, including bolts and coating.
The X-79 is light, has a relatively high proportion of ballast and carries a lot of sail area. The mainsail measures 20.3 square metres, the genoa around 19 square metres, and there is also the large spinnaker. The 7/8 rig allows for a wide range of trimming options. It can be sailed with the rig open in light winds, but also responds clearly to tension in the backstay and adjustments to the forestay.
Raumschots in the fast lane
The wide, comparatively flat stern makes all the difference. It generates lift early on, gives the yacht stability when it comes under pressure, and creates the conditions for it to get into a glide on broad reaches. The calculated hull speed, based on a waterline length of 6.40 metres, is a good six knots. That is by no means a speed limit for this boat.
The X-79 can easily exceed this range with sufficient wind and the right course. ORC-VPP data for the one-design class indicate, at a true wind speed of 20 knots, approximately 7.8 knots at a wind angle of 90 degrees, 8.5 knots at 110 degrees, 9.4 knots at 120 degrees and 9.6 knots at 135 degrees. These figures are not GPS recordings from a single boat, but values calculated and revised over the years. They do, however, illustrate the origin of its reputation as a downwind boat.
The price you pay for this character is a boat that doesn’t like to be sailed passively. An X-79 benefits from a crew that keeps a close eye on things, adjusts the trim and shifts weights. If there is too much pressure on the mainsail or the balance is off, it can become a struggle. With the trim set just right, however, it is surprisingly easy to control.
Fast, but not gentle
The characteristics that make the X-79 fast also shape its behaviour in the waves. The dinghy-like hull can hit the water hard in rough seas and is not a design that simply absorbs heavy, long waves. For sporty sailors, this is not necessarily a drawback. Anyone coming from a dinghy or a sporty keelboat will find the responses more lively than unpleasant. Anyone looking for a stable platform for long holiday voyages with a small crew should take this point seriously.
This is particularly true in strong winds. The X-79 has enough stability and sail area to pick up speed when under pressure. However, it demands timely decisions. Reefing is not a sign of defeat, but a prerequisite for keeping the boat fast and under control. The rig tension must be adjusted to suit the wind, and as the swell increases, the crew’s work determines whether the yacht cuts cleanly through the waves or brakes unnecessarily hard.
A racing boat with a hideaway
Below deck, the X-79 continues to surprise to this day. Not in terms of comfort, but in terms of usable space. The interior is simple yet well thought-out. The long saloon berths extend well below the cockpit, providing not only sleeping space but also a vast amount of dry stowage space. For longer voyages, the foredeck can be used as a double berth. In day-to-day regatta life, however, it serves primarily as a place to store sails.
In addition, there are two narrow pilot berths, created by folding up the back cushions of the saloon berths. The galley is situated by the mast, with the sink on the starboard side and the hob opposite. Anyone coming from today’s standard of small cruising yachts will find much is missing. Headroom, a separate wet room, an enclosed forward cabin and a spacious galley were not part of the design at that time.
Compared to an eight-metre boat from the late 1970s, the X-79 offers a remarkable amount of space. Four people can live comfortably on board for a weekend, provided they are prepared to organise themselves. Two people will find plenty of space for holiday trips along the coast. The main advantage here is not the layout, but the flexibility. Sails, clothing, provisions and safety equipment can be stowed away sensibly without immediately rendering the saloon unusable.
Keep your eyes peeled when buying a boat
The age of the X-79 fleet calls for a guided tour of the individual boats. A low purchase price is not particularly indicative of a boat built between 1979 and 1994. The key factors are moisture levels and the quality of repairs, Condition of the fittings, the age of the rig and the extent to which the boat has been put through its paces in (regatta) racing.
The focus is on the sandwich construction. The hull and deck are made from hand-laminated GRP sandwich. This offers weight advantages and rigidity, but requires careful attention to openings, fittings and areas subject to particularly high loads.
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Check the rudder bearings and rudder blade
One well-known issue concerns the middle of the three rudder bearings at the lower end of the rudder tube. In some boats, the bonding at the through-hull opening was insufficient. Water can then penetrate the sandwich structure and spread along the core. This does not necessarily mean serious structural damage. However, it must not be ignored.
During the inspection, the checklist should therefore include the play in the steering mechanism, visible signs of damp, previous repairs and the design of the lower rudder mounting. The class association also includes this point in its Buyers’ Guide, as well as the reinforcements fitted at a later date in the area of the lower rudder mounting.
Mast base, mast collar and main bulkhead
The X-79 is designed for sport, which is part of its concept. However, excessive rigging tension can put strain on the area around the mast base. Buyers should therefore thoroughly inspect the mast collar from both the top and bottom, the mast base in the bilge, and the main bulkhead.
Of particular importance are hairline cracks, deformations, soft deck areas, dark water streaks and visible reinforcements. Reinforcements are not necessarily a bad thing. A properly documented, professionally carried out repair may be preferable to an untouched original condition. What matters is the quality of the work and whether the underlying cause has been rectified.
Plywood is sandwiched around the mast passage. This material can be damaged if moisture penetrates it. Moisture measurement alone is not always sufficient in this case. An expert should carry out a more detailed assessment of the structure if the readings are abnormal, the deck feels soft or there are visible cracks.
Hull design and early years of construction
In early boats of the X-79 series, the keel area is particularly important. In some of the earliest production numbers, balsa wood was initially used as a sandwich core alongside the solid laminated keel section. This core can absorb moisture. The subsequent improvement to the construction method, using a closed-cell foam core, is less problematic in this respect, but still requires careful examination.
The buyer should check the exterior for cracks, uneven areas where filler has been applied, obvious repairs and Osmosis bubbles Check. The six keel bolts should also be inspected. The class rules stipulate that they must be secured with six M16 stainless steel bolts. However, with a second-hand boat, the focus is not on compliance with the rule drawings, but on corrosion, watertightness, visible deformations and the quality of any repairs.
Fittings, windows and hatch garage
The X-79’s strength lies in its deck layout. Halyards, stretchers, sheets, winches, blocks and cleats define how it handles. Regatta boats in particular, which are subjected to heavy use, can prove costly in these areas. Individual fittings are often affordable. However, the combined cost of several winches, stoppers, blocks, tracks and lines can quickly put that supposedly cheap purchase into perspective.
You should therefore not just check whether something works. It is important to check for play, corrosion, soft spots beneath heavily loaded fittings and the internal mounting of the winches. In particular, the large winch on the cabin roof and the hatch garage should be inspected carefully. If the sandwich core has become soft in those areas, simply replacing the fitting will not be enough.
The bonded Plexiglas panes are another typical sign of ageing. Scratches are purely a cosmetic issue, but leaks are not. A hose test often reveals more than a quick visual inspection. The foredeck, companionway and railings should also be checked. Traces of leaks on the interior walls or discolouration behind panelling are warning signs.
A bargain or a run-down property?
You can’t tell a good X-79 by the fact that everything has remained original. With a boat of this age, a carefully modernised example may well be the better choice. New standing rigging, overhauled rudder bearings, a documented refurbishment of critical sandwich-core sections and a redesigned deck layout are more valuable than a boat that is supposedly completely original.
Other positives include up-to-date sails, a well-maintained trailer, a decent outboard motor and clear documentation of any repairs carried out. The outboard motor simplifies technical checks on board, but is no substitute for a full inspection. An owner who is open about work that has been carried out and work still to be done inspires more confidence than any sales pitch.
The X-79 also remains a boat that benefits from its class. On the Website of the German Class Association It features technical guidance, regatta information and a growing wiki. Anyone buying a boat can therefore draw on a knowledge base that is lacking for many less common designs of this size. This is a clear advantage when buying a second-hand X-79 compared with other models of this age.
A classic regatta with a bright future
The X-79 offers something rare: affordable access to active one-design sailing, a class that remains vibrant, and a type of boat whose character has remained unmistakable to this day.
As early as its debut year in 1979, the new design won the Sjælland Rundt, beating significantly more established boats in the process. This was followed shortly afterwards by victory at Tjörn Runt in Sweden – at that time also one of the major Scandinavian sailing events. These results made the X-79 famous far beyond Denmark’s borders and were a key factor in the rapid success of the fledgling X-Yachts shipyard. The first Danish championship was held as early as 1981, followed by a European championship in 1985. The X-79 thus established itself early on as a Northern European one-design class.
Even today, the class is not merely a historical network of former regatta sailors. The Deutsche X-79 Klassenvereinigung e.V. organises regattas, supports owners with technical information and pools expertise on refits, measurement and spare parts. This combination of regatta racing and technical exchange is a real bonus, particularly for prospective buyers.
The 2026 season shows that the class is still going strong. Twelve X-79s were entered for the Danish Championship on 28 and 29 August in Kolding. Nine boats and their crews gathered for the revamped class reunion on 22 August in Kiel. Anyone taking on an X-79 will still find plenty of regatta opportunities.
X-79 – is this the right second-hand model?
The X-79 is ideal for sailors who see a small boat not as a compromise, but as a combination of features. It’s perfect for crews who want to compete on the regatta course but don’t want to spend every weekend on a pure racing boat. It’s also ideal for couples looking for a trailerable boat that offers a great sailing experience and who don’t rule out the occasional coastal cruise.
However, it may also appeal to families, provided their expectations regarding privacy and comfort remain reasonable. The cockpit is spacious, and the interior is surprisingly practical. Anyone expecting a self-contained forward cabin, a fully-fledged wet room and a smooth ride in any conditions should look for a different design.
For beginners, the X-79 isn’t necessarily a bad choice, but it is demanding. The boat doesn’t forgive every overlooked gust, every incorrect sail setting or every excessive tension in the rigging. However, with proper instruction, a conservative approach to sailing and an experienced skipper, it can be an excellent training boat. It clearly demonstrates the effects of trim and immediately rewards precise handling.
Key specifications of the X-79
| Characteristic | Information |
| Design Engineer | Niels Jeppesen |
| Shipyard | X-Yachts, Denmark |
| Length overall | 7.96 m |
| Length at the waterline | 6.40 m |
| Width | 2.88 m |
| Draught | 1.33 m |
| Displacement | approx. 1,345–1,552 kg |
| Ballast | 650–680 kg |
| Hull type | fixed fin keel |
| Material | GRP sandwich laminate |
| Rig | 7/8-length slip with a drawstring |
| Sail area when sailing close-hauled | 38.9 m² or 32.8 m² |
| Engine | outboard motor |
| Control | Tiller |
| Berths | four to six |
| Second-hand price | €5,000 – €20,000 |
A word from us: YACHT magazine carried out extensive testing of the X-79 in 2009. The findings from this testing regarding sailing characteristics, construction and fit-out have been incorporated into this article. For this latest guide to buying second-hand boats, the findings have been reorganised and supplemented with up-to-date information on areas of weakness, the availability of spare parts, the class association and market prices.
Book recommendations
Buying a boat systematically guides you through the process of choosing a second-hand sailing yacht. The guide covers the choice of size and material, as well as valuation, contractual issues, insurance, mooring and potential maintenance and repair costs.
Yacht design focuses on the designers behind iconic sailing yachts. The book combines portraits of leading designers with images of their designs and explains why lines, materials and technical concepts determine a boat’s character.
What has been your experience of the X-79? Do you see it as a regatta boat or more of a small cruising yacht?
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Janek Struchholz
Volontär