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Anyone sailed one? Thinking of a performance cruiser rather than for racing so month long livability for two a factor.
X-34 experiences
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Neeves
Well-known member
I've sailed on a number of X Yachts.
They are known as performance yachts not as cruising yachts, though they are not uncomfortable. Part of the cost of buying one is that they have top of the range kit and are built for performance. Most people here who 'live' on their yachts spend most time at anchor, not sailing
Would you choose a performance car to take the kids to school, do the supermarket shopping or tow a caravan.
You must have a reason for looking at an X Yacht, as opposed to other options (that would be move conventionally selected for cruising). Can you elaborate
Jonathan
They are known as performance yachts not as cruising yachts, though they are not uncomfortable. Part of the cost of buying one is that they have top of the range kit and are built for performance. Most people here who 'live' on their yachts spend most time at anchor, not sailing
Would you choose a performance car to take the kids to school, do the supermarket shopping or tow a caravan.
You must have a reason for looking at an X Yacht, as opposed to other options (that would be move conventionally selected for cruising). Can you elaborate
Jonathan
dunedin
Well-known member
Not entirely true. And I note the OP said “month long” liveability, so presumably not full time live aboard.
There have been different versions of X-Yachts over the years (eg currently X-Performance, X-Pure and X-Cruising), and other than the flat out racers they all tend to have lovely and practical interiors. We saw many X yachts doing the ARC (not just the X Cruising) and others have gone round the world. So can be an ideal performance cruiser, as are Arconas, for people who enjoy good sailing rather than using the motor.
An X34 passed us a week or so back going well on their round Britain (the proper way, not via the Canal) and looked a lovely boat.
Not sure the OP exact location, but might be worth contacting the owners association, who look to be here Home - X-Yachts Owners Association
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Have already been in contact with the OA. I've had a similar sized AWB to the X34 then moved to a blue water cruiser which made me realise I prefer efficient sailing to comfort at anchor so I'm prepared to put up with small tankage, big wheel, traveller in cockpit etc. rather than motoring to weather all the time because beating is a chore rather than a pleasure and using the AP for 99% of a passage rather than wrestle with a wooden-feeling, unresponsive helm. I've never sailed an X yacht but have sailed a couple of Grand Soleil, which are along the same lines, and enjoyed them.
Neeves
Well-known member
I am sure you would love an X-Yacht for its sailing performance. They reward being sailed well, with good sails, and are very responsive. I've not sailed one with an AP so cannot comment. Historically they have tended to be wet boats, but that was based on sitting on the rail, whether big or small versions. Beautifully finished, great attention to detail.
If you are contemplating long passages, hundreds of miles, rather than 10s of miles (or even thousands of miles (ocean passages) then as mentioned an X-yacht (as on the ARC) seems ideal, fast, comfortable (though I'm not sure a 34' yacht would be as comfortable as another yacht - larger. The mention of X-Yachts on the ARC is valid - except you are talking about an X34 not a 50'.
I wonder about the economics - could you for the same money buy a bigger yacht, which being bigger will be fast enough, will offer more comfort for cruising and with some well made sails, sail well to windward - meet you criteria of efficiency.
Part of efficient sailing are good sails and attention to detail - have you considered a reputable AWB with a new suit of sails, a desal unit (to reduce weight of water), lighter chain. If we moved back to a mono I'd love another X-Yacht - but we enjoy comfort and if the forecast does not suit - we don't fight the conditions but simply sit tight for a few more days. Bashing into big seas has lost its appeal as I have gained maturity (or dottage
).
We transitioned from performance sailing (successful racing, we have the decanters)) to cruising and accept that now we sail a dog (or at least a cat) on a beat. But loosen the sheets and we outsail many monos (average 10 knots over 100nm, 38' cat) and have comfort when we arrive. Sadly its all a compromise - and that's a decision that is yours, alone.
Jonathan
If you are contemplating long passages, hundreds of miles, rather than 10s of miles (or even thousands of miles (ocean passages) then as mentioned an X-yacht (as on the ARC) seems ideal, fast, comfortable (though I'm not sure a 34' yacht would be as comfortable as another yacht - larger. The mention of X-Yachts on the ARC is valid - except you are talking about an X34 not a 50'.
I wonder about the economics - could you for the same money buy a bigger yacht, which being bigger will be fast enough, will offer more comfort for cruising and with some well made sails, sail well to windward - meet you criteria of efficiency.
Part of efficient sailing are good sails and attention to detail - have you considered a reputable AWB with a new suit of sails, a desal unit (to reduce weight of water), lighter chain. If we moved back to a mono I'd love another X-Yacht - but we enjoy comfort and if the forecast does not suit - we don't fight the conditions but simply sit tight for a few more days. Bashing into big seas has lost its appeal as I have gained maturity (or dottage
).We transitioned from performance sailing (successful racing, we have the decanters)) to cruising and accept that now we sail a dog (or at least a cat) on a beat. But loosen the sheets and we outsail many monos (average 10 knots over 100nm, 38' cat) and have comfort when we arrive. Sadly its all a compromise - and that's a decision that is yours, alone.
Jonathan
flaming
Well-known member
Haven't sailed one, but used to race against them regularly. Pretty good upwind boats, not amazing downwind, but perfectly competent.
For the genre - i.e IRC influenced early 2000s cruiser racer biased towards upwind performance, they were undoubtedly a good example.
I have to confess that for the purpose - i.e month at a time cruising for someone who likes sailing well - I would be looking at something a bit lighter, wider and faster... For the same money as the X you could probably get something that would be quite a bit more comfortable to live on that will be significantly faster on a reach or run and only a bit slower upwind. Something like the Elan 350 for example.
For the genre - i.e IRC influenced early 2000s cruiser racer biased towards upwind performance, they were undoubtedly a good example.
I have to confess that for the purpose - i.e month at a time cruising for someone who likes sailing well - I would be looking at something a bit lighter, wider and faster... For the same money as the X you could probably get something that would be quite a bit more comfortable to live on that will be significantly faster on a reach or run and only a bit slower upwind. Something like the Elan 350 for example.
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
mrming
Well-known member
Are you sure it’s the same model Flaming? Only reason I ask is we struggled to find UK IRC race results when one of my racing pals was considering one. They were built from 2007 - 2013 and not many seem to have made it to the UK. Our conclusion at the time was it would be too risky to buy one and race IRC with it due to the lack of data.
flaming
Well-known member
Yep. Definitely. X-Yachts works team won the class in the winter series one year. 2008 I think. Boat was called Flexer.
mrming
Well-known member
Ah interesting - thanks! ?
Neeves
Well-known member
I think if you were to conduct a search then X-Yachts generally do exceptionally well as racing yachts. They tend to be owned by passionate sailors and crew with the necessary attention to detail. They are very rewarding to sail. They also make exceptionally good class racing yachts, where there are enough numbers, as you tend to race against - the best of the best - and you soon find out if you are one of them (or not).
The price is, the price. From a personal point of view unless you race to win (ie you. are serious and passionate about racing) then you are wasting a resource. The few X-Yachts here in Oz, of which I know - are raced. The X Yachts I knew in HK were all raced, some not very well. I think there was a thought that if you had an X Yacht you would automatically be successful - but it was the combination of an excellent yacht and a consistent crew that engendered success - not the yacht alone.
Jonathan
The price is, the price. From a personal point of view unless you race to win (ie you. are serious and passionate about racing) then you are wasting a resource. The few X-Yachts here in Oz, of which I know - are raced. The X Yachts I knew in HK were all raced, some not very well. I think there was a thought that if you had an X Yacht you would automatically be successful - but it was the combination of an excellent yacht and a consistent crew that engendered success - not the yacht alone.
Jonathan
johnalison
Well-known member
I see a few around but only ever get a view of the stern.
LouisBrowne
Member
I had an X37 which is an X of the same family and vintage as the X34.
She was an absolute delight to sail with very light and precise steering and effortless speed for a cruising boat.
She is well built and comfortable to live on and to steer.
If you are more interested in cruising the boat should suit you well but with two reservations: first the aft cabin on the 37 is small for an 11 metre yacht, but that never worried us because the fore cabin is fantastic with hanging locker and shelves on both sides giving all the storage you could want. Secondly the sound insulation did not seem great to me and any tapping of a halyard or the odd bang against the rigging or beating against a short sea made me feel as if I was living in a drum.
However most of this noise is controllable and it’s not often that you are trying to sleep while beating if your kind of sailing involves coastal cruising with the occasional long passage.
A second hand X will probably have been well looked after and I would not hesitate to go for it.
She was an absolute delight to sail with very light and precise steering and effortless speed for a cruising boat.
She is well built and comfortable to live on and to steer.
If you are more interested in cruising the boat should suit you well but with two reservations: first the aft cabin on the 37 is small for an 11 metre yacht, but that never worried us because the fore cabin is fantastic with hanging locker and shelves on both sides giving all the storage you could want. Secondly the sound insulation did not seem great to me and any tapping of a halyard or the odd bang against the rigging or beating against a short sea made me feel as if I was living in a drum.
However most of this noise is controllable and it’s not often that you are trying to sleep while beating if your kind of sailing involves coastal cruising with the occasional long passage.
A second hand X will probably have been well looked after and I would not hesitate to go for it.
Xscapiste
New member
That was us!!! Assuming there was only one X34 going round northern Scotland last June. This comment is probably a bit late for the person that started this thread, however I would comment on the X34 it’s very much a racer - cruiser, she was very lively around the north of Scotland both on anchor (because she is so light) and sailing and as soon as we were reaching or going upwind we needed to reef. However we love the interior and the sailing performance even if it is slightly ott for what we have done to date.
[3889]
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Thanks for the reply but I've bought a Dehler now,
