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Boat test: X-56 The Xtra mile

• Rupert Holmes
• March 14, 2022

The X-Yachts X56 is built to be the marque's new flagship, designed to combine luxury, style and power with a practical and seamanlike approach for extended cruising

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Large cruising yachts are enormously appealing, but it’s imperative that they’re easy to tame in deteriorating weather. Yet if this is achieved through making the boat underpowered it will be a disappointment in lighter winds. Striking the balance between the two is therefore a key factor in establishing a successful new model, as X-Yachts would clearly like the X-Yachts X56 to be.

My first sail on the X-Yachts X56 was in very light airs, with just 3-7 knots of true wind, but even this revealed important insights about how well the boat might handle challenging conditions. With the Code 0 set we made speeds that belied its near 20 tonne displacement, hovering at around 80% of the true wind speed at an apparent wind angle of 45-50°. We achieved 2.8 knots of speed in just 3.5 knots of true wind, rising to a very useful 6.2 knots in 7 knots.

At the same time, it felt like sailing a smaller, lighter and surprisingly nimble boat. We even had enough steerage to tack with only the mainsail set in just five knots of wind.

A boat that’s so easily driven allows sail to be shortened well in advance of worsening weather, without losing much speed. At the same time, this design’s very high stability, achieved through a combination of deep draught with low-slung ballast and massive form stability, means fewer sail handling operations are needed – each sail plan works over a wider range of wind strengths.

Therefore an increase in wind of a scale that might force other boats to tuck in an extra reef can often be handled simply by trimming the sails to depower a little.

For my next trial, a few days later, we had 15-17 knots, accompanied by a large and confused sea. Upwind with full sail we made around 7-7.5 knots, with a comfortable motion, despite the sea state. There was no hint of slamming – the boat simply shouldered the seas aside, providing an impressively dry ride.

Bearing off just 5° saw the X-Yachts X56’s speed jump to 8.0 knots, demonstrating an ability to make good daily runs while on passage. On bearing away further, to a true wind angle of 110°, and deploying the Code 0, we accelerated to a relaxed and effortless 9-10 knots in 17 knots of true breeze.

Making good speed in light airs under Code 0. Photo: Mikkel Groth

X-perienced feedback

The test boat we were sailing is the 10th X-Yacht for this particular owner, having started with a 26ft X-79 many years ago. It’s set up for very long distance short-handed sailing – including transatlantic crossings – with the autopilot expected to be in use 99% of the time.

Because of this the X-Yachts X56 has twin parallel systems for redundancy, each with a permanently connected hydraulic ram resulting in a heavy helm without much direct feel. Even so, the boat itself was responsive at all times and was nicely balanced, with just a fraction of weather helm upwind.

X-Yachts offers a number of headsail configurations, with an 88% self-tacking jib on the main forestay as standard equipment. Our test boat, however, is set up with a more flexible arrangement, including a larger, marginally overlapping headsail, plus an inner forestay with a self-tacking furling staysail, and in-boom mainsail reefing. The latter is an option chosen by around 70% of owners buying a Pure X model from the X43 upwards.

We also had the benefit of a Reckmann electric top-down furler for the Code 0. This is mounted at the inboard end of the fixed bowsprit and makes the sail almost effortless to wrap away. Asymmetric spinnakers can also be flown from the tip of the sprit.

This means it’s easy to select the appropriate sail area for different conditions, with very little compromise on sail shape. It’s an excellent combination that should enable small teams to translate the boat’s potential into numerous easy 200-plus mile days.

Plenty of canvas both for sailpower and protection. Our test boat was set up to make sail handling easy, without compromising sail shapes. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Although the primary purpose of the self-tacking staysail is to avoid having to use an inefficient deep-reefed headsail in winds well over 20 knots, it also offers the enticing prospect of easy handling in confined waters.

Even in only 13-14 knots of true wind and an awkward sea state, with the staysail and full main we made around 6 knots close-hauled and, of course, were able to tack repeatedly without touching the sheets. It’s a great arrangement and illustrates how versatile it is to have a boat that will maintain speed, even when under-canvassed.

The standard rig has a keel-stepped triple spreader mast with oversized discontinuous rod rigging, while carbon spars are optional. Lines are led aft to winches on the cockpit coamings well ahead of the helm stations. In our case these were the beefy optional electric Andersen 72 units, which make for speedy sail handling and eliminate the need for powered headsail furlers.

Positioning the winches on the coamings minimises the number of deflections in each line that add friction and loads. The downside, compared to winches on a pedestal further inboard, is that they are harder to work, especially when short-handed.

I’m often critical of boats where sheets can’t easily be trimmed from the helm, but the loads of a yacht of this size make this impractical for much of the time. Once you accept that, it makes sense to position the winches where there’s ample space to work them.

There’s plenty to hold onto in the cockpit when the boat is well heeled. Photo: Mikkel Groth

Cockpit solutions

Three options for the mainsheet are offered: a German system with a simple padeye in the cockpit floor, or a recessed traveller. The third option, as fitted to our test boat, is a central pedestal with an electric winch. It’s an arrangement that works well and frees up the remaining winches for other operations.

Maximum beam is carried right aft, yet the cockpit doesn’t feel as though it’s defined by the wide open spaces of many of today’s broad transom, twin rudder yachts. This helps confer a feeling of safety and security at sea, yet there’s still plenty of space. On one of my test sails we had seven people on board, with no hint of it feeling crowded.

Helm station pods have ample space for big MFDs, plus controls for thrusters, windlass, Code 0 furler and so on. Photo: Mikkel Groth

Although the transom is open, helm stations are forward of the stern rail and there’s a central two-person bench seat aft that incorporates liferaft stowage. The back of the boat therefore doesn’t feel unduly exposed. Particularly wide side decks, secure deep bulwarks and a low profile coachroof all help to make it easy to move around when going forward. The optional low-profile sprayhood gives an aerodynamic shape and has obvious appeal to anyone with a racing background, but the sleek shape means there’s not full standing headroom beneath, so many owners are likely to opt for the full-height standard version. Both stow neatly beneath teak faced deck panels when not in use.

External stowage includes a large tender garage that will accommodate a 3.0m RIB, with a crane for launch, recovery and stowage. There are lockers under each of the cockpit benches, while the sail locker forward has enough room to be fitted out as a skipper’s cabin if required.

The cockpit table is a conventional central unit with two folding leaves and space for a drinks fridge. This means there’s no central walkway from the transom to the companionway but it doesn’t seem to matter, as the table is large enough for several people to sit on one side, keeping the other side clear other than at meal times.

Joinery is of a high standard, in a choice of Nordic oak or teak. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Pace with space

For a performance yacht with a hull length of just under 55ft there’s an impressive amount of internal volume, and with the X-Yachts X56 the yard has aimed to lift the style and level of interior finish to a notch above the existing models in this range. As standard the joinery is in a very attractive Nordic oak, with teak as an option. There’s a wide choice of soft furnishings and X-Yachts is happy to work with owners to create a style to suit their tastes.

Delving around the details of a new yacht’s interior can reveal much about how well it’s set up for long distance passagemaking and living on board for extended periods. X-Yachts has clearly spent a lot of time and budget to get this aspect of the X56 right, although the standard tankage is on the small side for anyone contemplating long periods of autonomy. Two choices are offered for the galley layout, with the test boat having a conventional U-shaped arrangement. The other option is a more open layout with a central island unit, but less worktop and stowage space.

The owner’s cabin is bright and well appointed. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Both should work well at sea, while allowing space for the cook to have assistance when in port. Stowage is very well organised in both cases and there’s provision for a huge amount of refrigeration, including a double-size top and front-loading unit, a drinks fridge and a further unit at the aft end of the central section of the galley. Our test boat also has a small dishwasher.

The full-width saloon has separate dining and lounging areas to port and starboard respectively. The latter has a deep domestic style settee with thick cushions, which helps make this a lovely space in which to relax, yet it’s a very practical arrangement for a serious sea-going yacht. There’s also a proper forward-facing navstation, although this is too far forward for easy communication with the cockpit.

The owner’s cabin is well lit thanks to a pair of hull windows, two opening overhead hatches and forward facing coachroof windows. There’s stowage to starboard in a big cabinet, under the aft end of the bed and in four useful eye-level lockers each side. Nevertheless, the total stowage volume is not overly generous for those who plan to sail in cooler climates and there’s no dressing table or desk area. On the plus side, the en-suite is nicely appointed, a good size, and with a separate shower stall.

Galley layout with the island unit option. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

As standard a large single heads compartment aft, with separate shower, serves both the aft cabins and day time use. There’s also an option for a third heads, at the expense of some galley space and aft cabin stowage.

Both aft cabins are impressively large and don’t feel as though they are tucked away under the cockpit. They are wide enough for twin berths that convert easily to large doubles. There’s also provision for a washer/dryer in part of the port cabin’s big hanging locker.

Any yacht of this size is a complex entity that has potential to be difficult to look after, especially in far-flung parts of the globe. X-Yachts therefore steers clients towards a standard list of options. These are well proven products that engineers more or less anywhere in the world are likely to have encountered already and have established supply chains for spares. It’s a commendable policy that ought to reassure owners. In extremis, if neither a local engineer, nor the local X-Yachts dealer, is able to solve a problem, the yard can fly a staff member out to a boat anywhere in the world.

On a more detailed level, time and effort have obviously been expended on ensuring deck gear is easy to look after. For example, fastenings for turning blocks and other fittings are accessible via access panels in the deckhead, which facilitates maintenance.

The construction of X-Yachts is also worthy of note. Since 2018 this has been of epoxy infusion, with hulls baked at 70˚C for 24 hours. It’s much more expensive than using conventional polyester resins, but results in more reliable laminates, as well as a lighter vessel that’s both stronger and stiffer.

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Overall the concept behind this design and its general set up is very impressive. The X56 is a real sailor’s boat, but one that also offers enormous comfort and style. It’s bang up to date, yet the execution is extremely seamanlike and well thought through, making it one of the most appealing yachts of its size that I’ve sailed for a long time. A slippery hull shape combined with powerful rig will minimise the amount of time spent under power, yet the massive stability will be enormously reassuring in heavy weather. The sail plan of our test boat suits this design perfectly, providing plenty of power when necessary, while allowing the boat to be safely snugged down well ahead of challenging weather.

September 2024

Winter Webinar discussion on topics for 2024 / 2025

Solent Cup details and booking form Updated members listing

Member Yachts

29 different models from the X-Yachts range, past and present: X-95, X-119, X-302, X-332, X-342, X-362, X-372, X-382, X-402, X-442, X-482, X34, X37, X40, X43, X46, X50, Xc35, Xc38, Xc42, Xc45, Xc50, Xp38, Xp44, Xp50 X4.0, X4.3, X4.6, X4.9

2024 Yearly Calendar

January - March 2024 - Winter Webinars

We will be running another series of webinars covering technical, cruising and racing topics on the following dates: 9 Jan, 13 Feb & 5 Mar 2024. All webinars will start at 19:00 GMT. More details to follow

31 January 2024 - AGM

19:00 GMT, to be held over ZOOM to enable maximum participation

13 April 2024 - Fitting Out Lunch

Lunch will be held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London.

1 & 2 June 2024 - Solent Cup Racing

Being organised by X-Yachts GB. Details have been circulated by Debbie Wheldon and are also in the members section of the website

11-14 June 2024 - North Sails Sail Handing/Tuning day on the Water

At a date to be finalised, we are running another North Sails sail handling and tuning day on the water. See News section for details of prior times we have held this event

21/22 September 2024 - Autumn Rally & Dinner

A weekend rally to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight with dinner at the Royal Solent Yacht Club.

16/17 October 2024 - Ladies Event

A boat handling / close quarter helming training session with an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor

139 members from 17 countries

We ended 2023, with 139 members from 17 countries. We have seen strong growth in our membership over the last few years as our membership has become more international. We now have members from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and Wales. 

Vibrant Forum - Get Connected

Approximately 120 of our members participate in our private WhatsApp group with regular sharing of information, mainly around technical support or guidance on cruising areas.  Most questions for help or advice a response within a couple of hours.

We also run winter webinars for enabling members to share technical and cruising information.

Comprehensive Technical Library

We have over 250 articles discussing a range of topics including service tips, maintenance, issue resolution, tuning, equipment and sail handling. All indexed by yacht system.

We also provide links to technical videos provided by X-Yachts GB&I and materials from our Winter Webinars series.

Camaraderie in Cruising or Racing

Recent posts on sailing in Scotland, cruising around Mallorca, exploring the Baltic, and bringing a new X-Yacht back from Denmark.  Read up about our XYOA rallies, Lundy & Bristol, ARC2016, tips for cruising Croatia.  Write-ups on racing RTI and the Fastnet.

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History of X-Yachts

X-Yachts is a Danish based company that was founded in 1979 with a vision to create exceptional sailing boats. It started out as a small scale production of eight boats a year but has grown to become an internationally recognized and respected manufacturer of sailing and racing yachts.

Since then X-Yachts has let its passion guide its boat building approach, taking every detail into account and continuously optimizing performance and outcomes. Innovation is at the heart of the company’s DNA, constantly collaborating with renowned Naval Architects, Yacht Designers and leading experts who are all pushing for excellence and striving to keep the boat performance consistently high.

Today X-Yachts is the largest independent, or non-group owned, producer of sailing yachts in Europe. It is also the only yacht builder in the world to have won the four most prestigious yacht races in the world: the Rolex Fastnet, Middle Sea Race, Sydney - Hobart and the Gold Cup Race. X-Yachts is the sailing world’s leading boatbuilder in terms of design, quality and performance.

Which models do X-Yachts produce?

X-Yachts produce a range of boats including the X-Yachts Xc 45 , X-Yachts Xp 33 , X-Yachts Xp 50 , X-Yachts Xp 38 and X-Yachts Xp 44 . For the full list of X-Yachts models currently listed on TheYachtMarket.com, see the model list in the search options on this page.

What types of boats do X-Yachts build?

X-Yachts manufactures a range of different types of boats. The ones listed on TheYachtMarket include Sloop , Cruiser , Racing boat , Aft cockpit and Keelboat .

How much does a boat from X-Yachts cost?

Used boats from X-Yachts on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £14,100 GBP to £1,660,000 GBP with an average price of £238,000 GBP . A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from X-Yachts, for example the model, age and condition.

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With yacht designers such as Dijkstra & Partners, Sparkman & Stephens, Simms Brothers, Nathanael Herreshoff, Laurent Giles, Charles E. Nicholson, Alfred Mylne, Hoek Design, Robert Clark, Johan Anker, and my favourite of all, William Fife III all represented here, these prints will showcase their classic lines the wall of your home, office or business.

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X-Yachts are built on a deep relation to and understanding of performance, design and the demands of the sea

X-Yachts aims to pioneer the boat industry through innovation and world class craftsmanship with a uniquely Danish design character thus promising our customers Superior Sailing Pleasure. X-Yachts started as a small shipyard in 1979, building sailboats with record-breaking racing results.

With 45 years of heritage, X-Yachts builds sailboats in three different series. The XPerformance series is designed with the focus on racing performance and speed while keeping in mind the sleek, comfortable yacht design synonymous with X-Yachts. The XCruising series allows comfortable cruising whether offshore or onshore, on spacious and luxurious yachts. The XRange series combines the best characteristics of both series without compromising luxury or performance.

X-Yachts has built and sold more than 6,000 boats to customers worldwide. We are passionate about engaging with them and building a worldwide X-Community of X-Yachts owners and sailors.

X-Yachts employs over 280 people worldwide and has a network of 40 dealers selling our boats in 22 countries.

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From the long heritage of designers and naval architects that really understand what a true sailing yacht should be, fanatical attention to detail and a constant drive for innovation, X-Yachts are beautifully designed and built yachts that give Superior Sailing Pleasure to the knowledgeable owner that understands the difference.

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