This thoroughly modern new design is a perfect dual-purpose boat for families who love to both race and cruise
By Zuzana Prochazka · On January 8, 2018
The term racer-cruiser has always given me pause primarily because it seems this moniker represents too many tradeoffs for a boat to do both well. The concept has been more of a marketing term than a reflection of reality, until now. Danish builder, X-Yachts, has squeezed a new design between their established Xp (performance) models and their Xc (cruising) line and to most impressive results. The new 41-foot X4 leverages the best of both worlds and is a kick in the pants to sail on a breezy day.
I admit that our test on the blowy Chesapeake Bay on hull number four was off to an inauspicious start due to my own distraction. Looking up at the impressive 1,000+ square feet of sail area, I lost track of the shallows of the bay and we soon found ourselves grounded, stuck in the soft mud near a marker that should have been as clear as day. A bit of backing and twisting and we broke the suction off the encapsulated keel and with no harm done – except maybe to my ego – we were off once more. Read the full review.
