XC47 - space glider for distant destinations

With the Xc 47, X-Yachts are redefining the cruising line. The Danes don't play it modestly; they claim it to be the "best bluewater cruiser of all time." Well, let's see!

There are moments that require no words or data but say a lot, if not almost everything, about a boat. Aboard the Xc 47, it is mid-October off Port Ginesta, tacking against a confused mix of swell and wind chop, revealing the essence of this new cruising yacht.

At Force 4, gusting Force 5, she confidently powers through the waves, the robust hull tilted to the side up to the hexagonal-shaped windows. It's the kind of weather that elsewhere you might think about the first reef, heading to the next harbour to check whether everything is securely stowed below deck. However, the Danish yacht conveys an indifference, as if nothing could ever disturb its almost meditative calm. She effortlessly swings around its longitudinal axis, gently dipping the bow into the chaotic sea. She stoically handles gusts, with barely perceptible increase in heel, without any nervousness. You can simply let it run and trust that everything is fine.

Indeed, it is not only upwind, not only at sea, but right from departure, you notice how well thought out the design is, how ergonomic the deck layout is, and how suitable for bluewater cruising the cockpit arrangement is. The Xc 47 combines many lost virtues along the way, running halyards and sheets in channels below deck and along the saloon windows. It adds a few new ones, making it appear to be the best companion, always thinking of everything, and knows a solution for every problem – likeable, practical, good.

For example, the inner shrouds are attached to the cabin structure, allowing unobstructed passage forward or aft. Such details are increasingly rare in serial production.

Unusual but simply convincing is the design of the aft cockpit.  It lies at the level of the deck, allowing for quick movement from one side to the other during harbour manoeuvres - a walk-around cockpit of a different kind. Moreover, the bench is wide enough to provide a comfortable resting place at anchor.

The cockpit, closing off aft, fortunately doesn't pass as one of those open-air lounges that are currently in vogue, because what looks casual often proves to be exposed under sail and can be quite intimidating in a heeled position.

X-Yachts, on the other hand, has created a fairly compact cockpit with the broad deck and over-width coamings, where clutches and winches are mounted. Thanks to the securely bolted table, it provides a sense of security while sitting or during manoeuvres. There are opportunities for bracing or holding on at all relevant points. The slightly angled coamings also make a longer stay here very pleasant.

For a yard that has earned its excellent reputation mainly through sporty yachts, the Xc 47, consistently focused on cruising, almost seems provocative.

While this is not X-Yachts' first foray into cruising, as they introduced the initial Xc 45 fifteen years ago, the older sisters seem almost conservative and not nearly as refined as the newly presented version.

One reason is that the Xc 47 is the result of an intense consideration of owner preferences. A panel survey of dozens of Xc customers provided the shipyard with important insights for the construction of the in-house design team led by Thomas Mielec. The developers not only listened carefully but also studied their design more intensively than ever before.

A plywood model of the entire yacht, including the cockpit and the complete interior, served as the first test for the concept. And not just horizontally: the one-to-one mock-up could even be tilted 20 degrees to the side, a novelty in serial yacht construction (see YACHT 19/2023). According to Thomas Mielec, Director of Design and Engineering, this was immensely helpful in validating the plans. "We learned more from the model than we had hoped for."

However, the Xc 47 has not only departed functionally but also formally from its predecessors. It is much more independent in its lines, much less retro than the first Xc generation, which deliberately sought a certain proximity to Hallberg-Rassy and others.  Instead, the new model features a timeless, modern, and quite robust design. With the deck saloon, it offers real added value, not only creating significant width and volume below deck but also providing sightliness in the harbour and at sea that were not present in previous X-Yachts models.

The windows have the shape of a flat hexagon, whose sides form the halves of an "X" split along its vertical axis. Some may find it refined; however, it is a graphically successful reference to the brand's history.

Twenty years ago, the X-43 used a similar quotation, with the stylized "X" lying between the Plexiglas surfaces of the narrow, split hull windows and not at their outer edges. The hexagonal shape now prevalent in the ship appears in many places. The grip holes of the lockers and drawers, as well as the interior blinds of the hull windows, are cut as hexagons… "X" everywhere.

From an external perspective, the new model may require some getting used to. Its freeboard already extends significantly above the water; this impression is heightened by the high waterline.  The closed stern and large deck saloon windows make the Xc 47 appear mighty. However, it conveys a kind of confident strength and competence that suits its character.  In relation to the 23-meter rig, it primarily appears powerful, yet somewhat elegant under sail in a slight heel.

Due to a very extensive equipment list, including furling boom, bow and stern thrusters, electric winches, generator, teak deck, watermaker, and washing machine, the test boat displaces 15.6 tons, about 1.1 tons more than an Xc 47 in standard configuration. With a crew of six and at least half-full tanks, another ton is added. However, this hardly diminishes its temperament.

Already at true wind speeds of eight to ten knots, a range where many cruising boats struggle, the Danish yacht logs between 6 and 6.5 knots on the beat, with very good wind angles of initially 90 degrees, later even lower in a slightly freshening breeze. Well-set sails made of Elvstrøm's Epex membrane and meticulous trimming are likely contributing factors. We have included the price for such an upgraded upwind set in the calculation (see page 70).

The Xc 47 almost finds the wind edge by itself and requires only minor corrections at the helm. This provides a good feel for the flow conditions along the deep-reaching profile. The Jefa steering is somewhat tight, which is not a problem in light winds but requires noticeably more force on reaching courses under Code Zero, a point that is on the shipyard's to-do list. The number one build is currently back at the dock in Haderslev, and in the coming winter weeks she will be used for further testing and fine-tuning before the number two build leaves final assembly.

Regarding sheer speed, one would not expect miracles from a displacement boat with a moderately sporty sail area-to-displacement ratio of 4.6. However, during a trial run in gusts of up to 20 to 25 knots, the Xc 47 barely exceeded its hull speed. With a waterline length of 13.17 meters, this speed is just under nine knots, which means high average speeds on ocean passages.  Daily distances of more than 200 nautical miles in the trade winds are no problem at all.

The boat has pleasantly high reserves in both stiffness and controllability. Almost 40 percent ballast ratio is well above average today, especially with the large width of 4.56 meters, which hardly decreases aft, this additionally provides form stability. The rudder blade is designed to announce weather helm in advance before it becomes unavoidable. During the test, it was not possible to knock the XC-47 off course even through willful luffing under the 180 square meter gennaker in gusts of around 15 knots.  Remarkably willing, it followed the helm on a beam reach under the Code Zero, making steering almost as enjoyable as on a performance cruiser of the same size.

This sense of precision is also due to the structural strength that the boat possesses. Two collision bulkheads in the bow – the first for the anchor locker, the second for the more than man-high sail load – as well as a structural floor that rises to 50 centimeters above the waterline contribute significantly to this. They ensure that the boat can withstand even heavier impacts without damage.

In case of a breakdown, the watertight bulkhead in the aft section makes the Xc 47 practically unsinkable. The loads from the keel and rig are supported, as usual with X-Yachts, by a galvanized steel frame, allowing the boat to be lifted using a central sling without needing any special gear. The hull shell is additionally stiffened with a composite floor structure and locally reinforced with carbon fibre.  It is laminated with epoxy resin, not polyester, and then post-cured, providing additional strength. Therefore, even under maximum load on the rig and rough seas, it remains remarkably calm below deck: no twisting, no creaking, no groaning – which is quite exceptional considering the immense storage spaces and numerous lockers and cabinets.

Substantially, the Xc 47 is a model of high-quality boat building… Thomas Mielec and his colleagues didn't stop there!  They incorporated a multitude of highly functional solutions into this ship turned miracle box. Listing them all would take an evening and would take up half of this issue, so we will only highlight some features here.

One of them is the fuel supply. As standard, the boat comes with two diesel tanks with a total capacity of 500 liters. A third tank, providing an additional 210 liters, can be added.  Remarkably, even in the standard configuration, a day tank is included. It is deliberately narrow and tall, allowing the fuel pump to reliably supply fuel even in rough conditions. It holds 116 liters and can be filled from the main tanks at the push of a button.

Equally smart is the construction of the floorboards: they consist of a foam sandwich core, which is lightweight, does not warp, and provides good insulation. A frame made of boat-building plywood ensures strength, while a real wood veneer adds tactile and visual appeal. For this attention to detail alone, one must love the Xc 47.

The exploration of storage space will convince even more pragmatic owners. Wherever possible, X-Yachts have installed hinged flaps with gas spring dampers, making large compartments under the forepeak and aft berths easily accessible. For the insert boards that convert two single berths aft into a double berth, there are dedicated storage spaces that can even accommodate the cushions. Someone has really thought of every eventuality.

The guest cabins can be ventilated not only through small deck and cockpit hatches, as usual but in the cockpit seats, hidden under the standard teak deck, are additional barely noticeable openings on both sides, which when needed, not only let in cool night air but also provide a view of the sky.

Ventilation is already very good in itself. In the saloon, there are no less than four large Lewmar hatches, two opening forward and the two rear ones opening to the sides, ensuring good circulation under almost all conditions. Two hidden hatches in the large deck saloon windows serve for permanent ventilation and can remain open at sea or even in the driving rain.  An air conditioner is not necessarily required…

The 14-meter cruiser offers excess space, comfort, and class. If there's criticism of the prevailing coolness of modern yacht interiors, it must be silenced here… The Xc 47 has such a high proportion of the finest Northern European Oak that it can almost be understood as an antithesis. If desired, partially painted surfaces or a white main bulkhead can be chosen. However, there is no need, as the remarkable brightness below deck removes any heaviness from the interior.

Magnificent: In the saloon, there is an extra-deep and particularly generously cushioned sofa on the starboard side, offering the reading and relaxation function of a good living room couch. Even the U-shaped seating area can boast a kind of chaise longue. The two back cushions of the inward-facing sofas can be lowered with one hand.

It's these extra details that quickly endear the boat to you. But they would be nothing without quality or finesse. The Xc 47 has all that, moreover, at a truly high level and in combination with a go-anywhere character, not easily found in the luxury class: the Xc 47 is in the rare intersection of a seaworthy bluewater boat, an enjoyable fast sailor and a sturdy aluminum explorer.

YACHT magazine, Germany

25/26-2023