XO 270 FRONT CAB
BU ILT 2016 PR ICE £129 ,950
The wildcard of this feature is supposed to offer something different, and the XO 270 certainly delivers that in spades.
From the vertical stem of the origami-sharp aluminium hull to the vertical wraparound window line, this is a boat like no other and it’s been made even more distinctive by the pale grey hull wrap, black powder-coat finish to the stainless steel rails and triple spotlight installation on the roof.
INTERIOR Minimalist best describes the interior. With its stark grey upholstery and plenty of bright white GRP, it has the same no-nonsense vibe as the outside. The dinette converts to a small double, there’s a galley unit opposite, a small fridge under the helm seat and a separate heads beneath the console ahead of the navigator.
On the standard XO 270 that’s your lot, but this is the Front Cabin version, which swaps the forward cockpit for a flat foredeck, creating space for a two-berth cabin. The upright windows and slim mullions give great visibility and sliding roof hatches avoid it turning into a greenhouse.
EXTERIOR Losing that forward cockpit gives the boat genuine overnight reach but does cut the exterior space down to just the flat deck aft with its folding bench seat.
PERFORMANCE
XO fit a range of diesel engines from Yanmar, Mercury and Volvo Penta spanning 260hp – 370hp, the biggest of which is pushing 40 knots. This particular boat has a mid range D4-300 from Volvo Penta which should offer great economy but still give a mid-30 knot top end and a 30-knot cruise.
SEAKEEPING
Sea keeping is the big news with this boat: ‘breathtaking’ is how MBY described it when we got behind the wheel. The 22 degree deep vee hull provides slingshot cornering ability and has an almost wave-piercing demeanour that allows the boat to cover ground extremely quickly – almost irrespective of sea conditions.