In the automotive industry, they are called Gran Tourismo - luxurious cars with a lot of comfort and plenty of horsepower for fast long-distance journeys. This is exactly what the XC-38 is supposed to be on the water, in a rather compact package.
During the test on the North Sea, the clean-sailed Dane had to face serious conditions. At 6 to 7 Beaufort, it was not possible to sail without a reef in the main, and the 108 per cent genoa also had to be reduced slightly. Even then, strong gusts and shifting winds demanded attentive steering and active mainsheet trim.
The latest model in the successful XC series was a lot of fun to sail, but still had the rigidity and poise you would expect from a boat designed for long journeys.
The strength of the entire construction is impressive, the centrepiece of which is a metal frame connected to the GRP hull, which supports the rig and keel loads. This has long been the standard construction method at X-Yachts and will only be replaced by a carbon/fibreglass composite when the XP-44 is launched next year.
In the YACHT test, the 38 showed few shortcomings overall. The position of the helmsman and mainsheet trimmer proved to be not entirely successful in the strong wind conditions. Below deck, the aft berth, which is not long enough for a boat of this size, was surprising.
Otherwise, both on and below deck, there is little to criticise. There is a very good feeling of space, especially in the saloon - not only in terms of volume, but also in terms of the quality and cosiness of the interior. But all this comes at a price. At 350,000 euros (ready to sail), it is far higher than that of a Hallberg-Rassy 372, which is not exactly a bargain either. A very confident calculation.
You can read the detailed test in YACHT 20/2010, on newsstands from Wednesday 29 September.
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
