X-YACHTS X40
PRICE £130,000-£175,000 YEAR 2004-2010
The X-40 is a development of the earlier IMX40 – one of X-yachts’ most successful racing yachts. While their hulls are virtually identical, the X-40 has a triple-spreader aluminium mast instead of the IMX40’S carbon spar, a more cruising-orientated deck layout and a much more luxurious interior.
Hull and deck are foam sandwich construction to reduce weight and a steel framework in the bilge takes all the keel, mast and rig loads – relieving the hull of much of the physical stresses.
The X-40 has a fine racing pedigree and carries more than 1,000 sq ft of upwind sails. Fractionally rigged, her large, powerful mainsail can be heavy to hoist, but an electric halyard winch makes a difference.
The X-40 has a well-protected cockpit with huge lockers and teak-covered seats and sole. Her sugar-scoop stern provides a useful bathing platform when anchored.
A single large wheel offers precision steering with good feedback coming from the rack and pinion rod steering. The double-ended ‘German’ mainsheet system is led back beneath the deck to both sides of the cockpit, allowing the helmsman to adjust the sheet from either the port or starboard side of the cockpit. There’s also a fullwidth mainsheet traveller ahead of the binnacle.
Her boom is long resulting in a lengthy mainsheet, which can make gybing a little demanding, but once perfected it’s as easy to control as any powerful sloop rig.
Many X-40s were ordered without headsail furling for those who prefer to use the correct size and type of headsail for the conditions. This might prove too much for a couple to handle on a long haul, so best to look for those boats available with a genoa furler and preferably a top-down furler for downwind sails.
Cockpit-led singleline mainsail reefing is also a must for this type of short-handed sailing.
Wide side decks and a chunky teak toerail provide easy and safe access forward to a gently sloping foredeck with chain locker. Below, the accommodation is bright and spacious with plenty of rich teak joinery to give it a warm feel. She was available with two or three double cabins, with enough stowage for long trips. The two-cabin model has a second heads and a big cockpit locker.
The layout is simple and practical. Straight settees double up as fine sea berths with lee cloths, and there’s a proper, forward-facing chart table. The L-shaped galley is also well designed and ideal for cooking under way.