Anyone who sails an X-Yacht doesn't necessarily do so just because it happened to happen. Owners of X yachts are owners out of passion. This is often reflected in the boat names, which almost all contain a play on the letter X, such as X-tasy, BoatoX, Xelebration. Many X owners want to tell the world how happy they are with their boat. And there are many reasons for choosing an X: For some, it's the sailing characteristics. For others, it's a lifestyle. For still others, it's the quality. Because X-Yachts - and there's that play on words again - deliberately goes the extra mile in many ways to build good boats.
That's why we were so excited to see how the first X without a mast would perform when we travelled to Arøsund in Denmark on a very windy day (4 to 5 Beaufort) in rough seas to test the new X-Power 33C. A boat that had briefly been on the market a few years earlier as the HOC 33, until X-Yachts bought the Swedish boat builder and completely redesigned the boat, from the T-top to the motorisation, to adapt it to the requirements of X-Yachts.
Need more information? You can find the test of the X-Power 33 C with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 07/2021 from 16/06/2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
The first impression at the jetty in Arøsund, Denmark, is promising: a sleek design, very pleasing lines and an elegant finish. The "Red Baron" is build number 1 of the new X-Power series and the red hull colour is a welcome contrast to the grey sky that greets us. The colour is based on the very first X that left the shipyards 40 years ago.
"The development work took 14 months," explains Kræn Nielsen, CEO of X-Yachts. For him, the very first test of a water sports magazine is a matter for the boss. "Taking over HOC-Yachts was easier than starting the development of a new boat with a blank sheet," says Nielsen. But the likeable Dane doesn't just want to explain things, he also wants to exchange ideas and get new ones. Because the development of the new X-Powerboat line does not end with the 33. "Many more and larger models are planned, as well as a version with an outboard motor."
Some special features of the HOC 33 have remained, such as the innovative petestep underwater hull. Swedish developers have replaced the usual longitudinal sliding stringers with V-shaped "steps" extending from the stern, the petesteps. The benefit of these steps, which act as deflectors, is to effectively deflect spray splashing sideways towards the stern, reduce the wetted area and minimise impacts. Boats with petesteps achieve a greater range and make significantly less noise. We are excited.
The weather is still dreadful, it is raining and blowing non-stop. Fortunately, the X has a stable tarpaulin, the heating is on, and so it is cosy and warm in the spacious cab under the T-top. An opportunity to familiarise yourself with the boat. Sales Manager Martin Lindbæk shows us the cockpit, which is reminiscent of a Tesla, and demonstrates the new start-up system, an in-house development by the shipyard. When entering the boat, the entire boat can be started up by pressing a single button mounted on the steering console. This remotely switches the main battery switch and brings up a 10-inch flat screen from C-Zone, which presents a series of touch buttons. By selecting different modes such as "harbour", "cruise" or "night cruise", the corresponding systems are activated. In "Night cruise", for example, the two 16-inch navigation monitors dim automatically and the position lights illuminate, while in "Harbour party" the stylish cockpit lighting and the radio come on. "Very individual programming is possible, depending on the owner's wishes," says Lindbæk.
Need more information? You can find the test of the X-Power 33 C with technical data and further images in BOOTE issue 07/2021 from 16/06/2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
The cabin of the Weekender surprises with an enormous amount of space and an extremely high-quality and stylish interior in walnut, which contrasts wonderfully with the bronze fittings. You want to stay there in this weather. But we cast off the lines. The mechanical steering requires a lot of manoeuvring when casting off, but the next models will have electronic steering. Despite the high waves, the driver and guests have an extremely pleasant and safe feeling, because although the X-Power floats quite high, the seating position is very low and you can only just see over the foredeck. Nevertheless, there is no loss of visibility when transitioning to planing, the bow hardly lifts at all. Good planing speed is achieved from 2800 rpm, and just above this at 3000 rpm the 33C is at its most economical, with a speed of just under 24 knots and a range of 172 nm. To achieve full speed of just under 38 kn, a little more throttle and trim is required (1/2). In sudden tight turns, the propeller naturally draws air quickly, so the drive should be trimmed down before tight manoeuvres. Otherwise, the boat has a very good grip on the rudder and behaves extremely well even in waves up to one metre high. What's more, it is unusually quiet thanks to the petestep hull. Despite the high speed and jumps over the waves, we can have a quiet chat. For example, about the fact that X-Yachts is planning a version with a fixed cab next. "Definitely a good idea in weather like this," I have to admit.
But that's not really necessary, because the canopy doesn't flutter at all, even in the gusts. The X-Power 33C impresses with its rough water characteristics. Only the windscreen wiper sits a little to the left of the direct field of vision due to the stylish windscreen around the cockpit. However, anyone who wants to cruise comfortably, safely, relaxed and dry across the Baltic Sea at almost 70 kilometres per hour in such weather on a 33-foot boat is happy to accept leaning slightly to the left.
Need more information? You can find the test of the X-Power 33 C with technical data and further images in BOOTE issue 07/2021 from 16/06/2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
Conclusion
With the X-Power 33C, X-Yachts has taken a bold leap into the motorboat market and consistently developed the HOC-Boats concept further. It is not only a successful and innovative weekender that allows occasional overnight stays in great comfort, but also a boat that is unrivalled on the market, will turn a few heads in any harbour - and may even be great fun for a sailor.
