NEW X4-3, A GREAT PERFORMANCE CRUISER, BUT A MISLEADING ONE
Things have become odd in the nautical market with many MKII (new version with the same hull) having different names (like for instance the Dufour 310 and the Dufour 32) and now with a new boat (new hull), having the same denomination as the previous model.
New X4-3
To increase confusion X-Yachts says that the New X4-3 is an "updated version" of the older model. It seems that X-yachts wanted to profit from the success of the older model, which was the brand's bestseller while making a new model to increase sales, but maintaining it as close as possible to the older version, while updating the hull to look more modern, with a larger transom, but maintaining the same classic bow design and a slightly less rounded cabin design.
Old X4-3
But this is not the only deceiving or confusing information about this boat, there is another one that comes already from the previous model, that has a hull length of 12.50m and was a 41ft boat, not a 43ft one, like the name seems to indicate. This one has a 12.67m hull length (41.6ft) being closer to a 42ft boat, very far from 43ft.
Curiously, even if the hull length is bigger, the waterline length is almost the same, 11.33 to 11.31m being the new one slightly beamier, with 3.99m to 3.95m. The new one is heavier with 9400kg to 8850kg, having slightly less ballast (3700 to 3800kg), having a similar keel and standard draft (2.20m).
New X4-3
The B/D of the new boat is smaller (39.4% to 42.9%) but it remains among the biggest you can find in modern cruising boats, especially if you consider the 2.20m draft and the torpedo keel. Probably the designer opted for a smaller B/D due to the bigger hull form stability that is provided by the bigger beam and the different hull design, with the max. beam pulled aft.
I am quite happy to see a builder resisting the modern tendency of increasing beam hugely to create bigger interiors and the sail performance of the new boat will be not very different, and that means a very good one. The previous one probably has a better racing handicap and being lighter and with slightly less drag (due to less beam and different transom design), will have a slightly better performance in lighter winds.
New X4-3
This one compensates for the extra weight with a 0.5m longer mast, which allows for 2 sqm more in upwind sail area. The new transom design is a nice one and doesn't restrict much the heel angles. The
new boat, out of light winds, due to increased hull form stability should have a better performance with medium and high winds, except upwind where it probably loses a little bit.
The real improvement comes in the interior space where it was possible to increase the width of the aft cabins, which are now more comfortable, also because they have a superior height due to a slightly raised cockpit and the port one also due to the volume occupied by the cockpit seat locker, that is now absent. The extra length was used to increase the aft storage space and now the 3 cabin version becomes more usable for more extensive cruising.
The old X4-3
This model has only a seat cockpit locker while the previous had two, the same sail locker, but a bigger aft cockpit locker. If the sail locker is not used for sails, I believe the 3 cabin version has the exterior space required for not very extensive cruising, and the starboard cabin can always be used for extra storage, but personally, I would rather have the extra cockpit locker than a slight increase in the port aft cabin volume.
The New X4-3
The interior is practically the same as the previous boat, and even if that seems odd, (normally on a new version they maintain the hull and change the interior) I am quite satisfied with the option, because it is not only a very functional interior, with plenty of cabinets and storage, as it is a very nicely designed and very pleasant one and the new hull allows for more space without compromising performance, at least significantly. You can have a virtual visit here:
All in all a nice job, improving what was already a great performance cruiser, especially in regards to interior space and practicability. From the previous version, more than 100 sailboats were made and it seems that this one will not be less successful because about 30 boats were already ordered, but I don't know how much of this success has to do with clients thinking they are buying a 43ft boat when in reality it is not even a 42ft (41.6ft) sailboat.
New X4-3
This boat should not be compared to the Grand Soleil 44 (even the Grand Soleil 42 LC is considerably bigger) nor to the Italia 12.98 neither to the Arcona 435 or the Solaris 44, all much bigger. In fact, the X4-3 is closer in dimensions to the Solaris 40, which has about one foot less in hull length, but more than one foot more in LWL. (HL- 12.36/12.67m ; LWL - 11.33/11.70m), displacing both boats the same (9400kg).
Solaris 40
Don't take me wrong, personally, I prefer the X4-3 over the Solaris 40, for a number of reasons, the main is having a more balanced overall performance, but I bet that most people that buy the X4-3 are not comparing it to the Solaris 40 (that is considerably less expensive) but to bigger performance boats (that even so are less expensive), not realizing that the difference in size is big, due to the misleading denomination of the X-Yacht, that makes them believe this is a 43ft sailboat. Look at how they advertise the boat as a 43ft boat:
Of course, that is also because the X4-3 interiors and layout are excellent and make that confusion possible.
First, Old X4-3, above, New X4-3, below Solaris 40
Note that I am not saying that the X4-3 is expensive for what it offers and I should say that even if the building of all mentioned boats is of very good quality, the X4-3 is the only one that is built using exclusively epoxy resins, while all the others use vynilester resins that even if epoxy-based do not offer the same superior characteristics, even if much better than normal polyester resins that are used in less expensive boats.
Like all of them, it has a vacuum-infused sandwich hull but uses post-cured epoxy construction with a foam core, biaxial E-glass skins and local E-glass unidirectional reinforcements. Structural bulkheads are of marine plywood in thicknesses between 12 and 20 mm (note that some of the competition use sandwich composite main bulkheads, which are a lighter, more expensive and better solution). It is the only one that uses a keel structure made of galvanized, high-strength steel frame, that is an integral part of the hull structure. The keel is an antimony hardened lead T-bulb bolted and glued to a cast iron fin.
Solaris 40
Also regarding price, we have to consider that what is offered as standard is a bit better than what is offered by the competition, but that should be checked case by case because different brands offer different standard equipment. The New X4-3 costs standard without taxes, at the factory, 385500 euros while a Solaris 40 and a 44 cost respectively 309000 and 343000€.
The truth is that personally, I would prefer as performance cruiser the Xp44, a much older model still in production, a much lighter and more powerful sailboat, more difficult to sail if sailed at full potential, but that can be sailed with a small jib mounted over a self-tacking rail, and even so be much faster than any of those boats.
Contrary to the X4-3, it is a "real" 43.6ft boat with an interior, that even if not so good as the one of the X4-3, is not far away in comfort and beauty and because it is part of a line that, unfortunately, X-yachts is discontinuing (they don't produce the Xp 38 anymore), is sold at a very interesting price, 375500€.
Note that I am not saying (by any means) that the Xp 44 is a better cruising sailboat than the X4-3, quite the contrary, most would find the X4-3 more suitable, but if you, like me, like to sail fast and sportively, than the Xp 44 is a better sailing boat, not to mention that it is much faster if you race now or then, not probably in compensated, where a better team is needed to sail the Xp44 to the handicap, but in realtime, leaving the X4-3, or even the X4-6 far behind.
Solaris 40
The funny thing is that even at this price they sell it much less than the X4-3, or the X4-6, which is only slightly bigger than the XP44 (44.3 to 43.6ft), much slower and 103000 € more expensive. My experience as a consultant informs me that even the ones that prefer light and fast performance cruisers, and don't mind much about the interior, don't consider it, because they find that the hull is outdated.
Well, as outdated as the one of the new J45 LOL. In fact, the objective reason is not the lack of performance of that type of hull, but because they don't find it "sexy", because it does not follow the last tendencies in what regards offshore contemporary racing design.
Does it make a difference? Sure, but minimal in performance if compared to displacement difference, B/D difference, or excessive beam for having a bigger interior, and in the market there is not a more interesting proposition in what regards all that and price.
The truth is that most that want a performance boat, more than wanting a truly fast boat, want a boat that looks like a very fast boat, and in between choosing speed and looks, they chose looks. What about you?
Hi Paola, some comparisons make sense others don’t. It’s relevant that you compare the x4-3 to the Solaris 40, both of them aren’t real performance cruisers. One can argue that the market for performance cruisers is too small. I’d agree but only looking to that segment as a prospective buyer. What’s on offer in the performance cruiser market is really limited.
X-yachts isn’t a performance cruiser brand anymore, that was yesteryear. It’s not a coincidence that Jeppesen has joint Arcona. One of few true performance cruisers brands left (along with Italia yachts).
The market (that is created by demand) originated a sub division, boats to sail relatively fast in a comfortable way, and boats that can be used for cruising fast and for racing.
They call to the bigger (and slower) group performance cruisers and to the smaller (and faster) cruiser-racers.
And yes, there are much more performance cruisers than cruiser racers because the demand for that type of boat is bigger.
Hi Paola, some comparisons make sense others don’t. It’s relevant that you compare the x4-3 to the Solaris 40, both of them aren’t real performance cruisers. One can argue that the market for performance cruisers is too small. I’d agree but only looking to that segment as a prospective buyer. What’s on offer in the performance cruiser market is really limited.
ReplyDeleteX-yachts isn’t a performance cruiser brand anymore, that was yesteryear. It’s not a coincidence that Jeppesen has joint Arcona. One of few true performance cruisers brands left (along with Italia yachts).
Paulo, not Paola,
ReplyDeleteThe market (that is created by demand) originated a sub division, boats to sail relatively fast in a comfortable way, and boats that can be used for cruising fast and for racing.
They call to the bigger (and slower) group performance cruisers and to the smaller (and faster) cruiser-racers.
And yes, there are much more performance cruisers than cruiser racers because the demand for that type of boat is bigger.