x 35 yacht test

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

X-35 review: from the archive

• Matthew Sheahan
• May 3, 2021

X-Yachts' X-35 follows the hugely successful X-99, which has been a firm favourite of cruiser racers for years. But does it live up to its younger sisters reputation?

She has more gears upwind than you'll know what to do with at first. Credit: X-Yachts Credit: X-Yachts

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

When it comes to serious numbers in one ­design yachts, the X-99 rates as one of the most successful designs of modern times, with 600 built since 1985. But after 21 years, the company that created one of the few big-boat classes to have ISAF status has launched its replacement, the X-Yachts X-35.

Given the huge success of the X-99, it’s clear X-Yachts have set themselves a very high target if they are to get anywhere near repeating this success.

But while no specific numbers have been issued on what X-­Yachts expect of this class in years to come, it’s clear they are planning to use a similar technique to kick-start the class.

More than a year ago and with little more than a few drawings to go by, 42 boats were sold in the first month of 2005.

Plans for the launch of the new model involved a distribution strategy to ensure that fleets stood the best chance of sowing the seeds from which future local classes would grow.

After a long wait and much talk, the first few boats are now in the water and the class is close to taking off.

X-Yachts have attempted to recapture their former success.

Partly through computer graphics being what they are and partly for reasons of cosmetic modesty, the X-­Yachts X-35 isn’t much of a surprise when you first see her.

In fact, she doesn’t stand out at all at the dock – at best she looks typical of a modern X-Yacht.

She has a simple open cockpit, a large wheel and a pair of cockpit seats flanked by shallow coamings. However, she offers a great detail in terms of her control line layout and setup.

She has more gears upwind than you’ll know what to do with at first.

Closer inspection reveals that, although she doesn’t have a large overlapping headsail and therefore a second set of tracks, she lacks few of the controls of a Beneteau First 34, they’re just incorporated more discreetly. The mainsheet is a good example.

You may not think it is necessary to have a ‘German’ mainsheet system (where the mainsheet is led back along the side decks to a pair of winches fitted on either side of the cockpit) on a boat of just 35ft. I certainly didn’t.

But having just a 2:1 purchase in the mainsheet system keeps the amount of rope in the system to a minimum and helps keep the cockpit clutter-free. The system also means a fine tune is not required, reducing the clutter even further.

On top of this, the mast man can bounce the sheet at its forward end at leeward mark roundings to help rapid sheeting of the mainsail.

Having started out wishing for a more conventional system of blocks and tackles for the mainsheet, when I tried it aboard the Beneteau I didn’t like it.

Under way she has a solid, dependable, chunky feel to her helm.

The layout of control lines on the top of the coach roof is another example. Here, jammers are staggered lengthwise to make il easier for more crew to reach them from the weather rail.

Such attention to detail suggests that the X will be an easier boat to handle under pressure than the Beneteau.

But elsewhere are clues that this has been at the expense of some practical issues. The lack of an anchor locker won’t trouble many racing sailors – some may see it as an advantage – but the lack of any cockpit lockers could become a nuisance.

‘Small’ interior

Such details on deck turn out to be clues to an accommodation layout that is lacking in several areas once you step below decks and first impressions are of a small interior.

Overall the layout is a simple one, with galley to port, nav station to starboard and a pair of simple settee berths either side of a fixed saloon table.

However, the X-35 has a forward double cabin, which although roomy enough to be used, will no doubt be a waste of space for racing owners.

The navigation station is fairly cramped.

Having said that, one of the reasons for incorporating such a cabin is to enhance the boat’s value later in life when the heat of the racing scene may have eased.

The same reason for the liberal use of teak in the interior instead of wipe-clean mouldings as was the norm in the IMX-38 and fair enough.

What I found less easy to understand was why the lifting backs to the saloon seating hadn’t been set up to provide an upper berth.

The X-35’s weakest point is below deck.

With full-width chainplates and no lockers or shelves (although these are an option), there are no obstructions to what would make a decent-sized berth to weather. Or, at the very least, a good and secure place to stow gear and kit bags.

Moving aft, the galley is small and awkward to use, the access to the after­berths restricted. And the top of the engine box has a curved surface and to my mind misses an opportunity to provide handy stowage for winch handles, blocks etc, just where you can get at them.

The lack of stowage is an issue throughout this boat apart from the cavernous space under the forward bunk, which clearly wouldn’t get used in racing trim.

On the starboard side, the outboard­ facing chart table is large and conveniently shares worktop space with the fridge to provide shy navigators with even less reason to come on deck. Overall, I was disappointed with the layout of this boat below decks.

Yet I also have to admit that for all my criticisms and given her primary objective, the accommodation would still not count for much in my own final analysis.

The X-­Yachts X-35 has a sandwich-construction hull and deck, using a combination of biaxial E-Glass and a vinylester resin. Throughout, she is built to the same high standards as the rest of the fleet.

With X-Yachts’ trademark galvanised steel gridwork providing the primary load ­carrying structure in the bottom of the boat, suggesting she’ll be every bit as robust as her sisterships. Whatever the other criticisms, longevity still counts for a lot.

Subtle under sail

If chalk and cheese describe the differences between the X-Yachts X-35 and the Beneteau First 34.7, the expression will also suit the match between the disappointment of the X’s interior with the way she behaves under sail.

I’ve yet to test an X-Yacht that doesn’t feel good on the wheel and the X-35 is no exception. She’s finger-light, even when pressed, she’s sensitive, responsive and has more gears upwind than you’ll know what to do with at first.

She might be plain on the outside but she’s anything but when it comes to sailing her.

Although she’s a doddle to handle in the broad sense, it takes no time at all to realise that she’ll be a very tricky boat to sail well.

The conventional spinnaker will appeal to more conservative sailors.

To get the best out of her you’ll need patience, total concentration, a magic marker, plenty of tape and a waterproof notebook and pen.

So subtle is the feedback through the wheel that you’ll need to mark and jot down key settings and numbers to build a picture of what makes her tick.

In my opinion, this is just what you need for a good one-design class where performance benefits and top results are achieved through the hard work of crews rather than some technical advantage.

She feels quite a tender boat too (much like the X-99), a fact borne out by her higher sail area:displacement ratio when compared to the Beneteau.

The X-35 might be plain on the outside, but when it comes to sailing her, she’s anything but.

In just 10 knots of wind and clocking 6.8 knots in flat water she feels fully powered upwind – anymore and you’re dropping the mainsheet traveller down the track.

But while she might feel slightly tender, she remains under control on the helm.

The seating positions for helmsman and crew works well for all. And the control line layout works as well as it looks both upwind and down to make this a very nimble boat around the corners of the racecourse.

In addition, what impressed me was the attention to detail. Such as the rings in the guardwires through which the traveller lines run to keep them to hand.

Or a shockcord retrieval system to pull the spinnaker guy in towards the foredeck to make end-for-end gybing that bit easier for the foredeck crew.

Details like these come as standard. Impressive stuff and a good indication of where the heart of this boat really lies -racing.

The X-­Yachts X-35 may have been designed with one-design racing as the main focus but, depending on how her IRC handicap shapes up she could prove to be a highly competent racer in the handicap scene as well. Something the X-99 never quite achieved on an international scale.

But if all this talk of racing is a little too hot, bear in mind that current X-332 owners are among the new boat’s target market.

Which should provide a rich source of secondhand 332s on the market, albeit with a ‘frequently raced and rallied label’.

First published in the May 2006 issue of YW.

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X-35 Review

The 35-footer handicap market is crammed full of new launches, but the X-35 is unique in also being a genuine one-design. Andi Robertson put her to the test…

Getting any new one-design off the ground is a problem. The basic building blocks have to be right from day one, and achieving a critical mass in a relatively short period of time is essential. Designing a boat which will compete favourably on a variety of handicap systems is important. The boat must be at least interesting, rewarding and preferably reasonably demanding to sail.

There is a critical path to be followed where the manufacturer retains initial control, laying down the foundations, before passing it over to a well organised truly international class association only once the Class Rules are fully developed.

X-Yachts are old hands at developing one-design classes, both internationally and in the UK and Ireland. Their rich history of building very successful production raceboats — remember their 3/4 Tonners and One Tonners — gave way to the hugely successful X-99 class, which at different times was very popular throughout Northern Europe. In total the X-99 sold over 500 boats over 10 years before the Mark II was introduced and another 105 boats were built.

Of course the beauty of a successful one-design class is an almost guaranteed longevity for the design. Competition and re-sale values are not pegged to fashions dictated by handicap rules. Conversely, compare that with, say the X-119, which was an immense amount of fun to sail, but never found favour with the IRC rule and at one stage it was near impossible to give them away.

Design and development

Learning from the success of the X-99, and the X332 — which enjoyed success as a one-design and on handicap — as well as the likes of the Swan 45, about 18 months ago designer Niels Jeppesen and his team set about creating an modern equivalent of the X-99.

The brief was for a boat that was fun and interesting to sail in all wind strengths, while the modern market also requires a boat with a higher level of accommodation, comfort and finish than the spartan 99. It needed to be potent in winds under 12 knots for the Mediterranean market but simple enough to sail well for the average club racer. The adage with the X-99 was that it should be relatively straightforward to reach 95 per cent of potential within a few weeks, but the final few per cent could take years to master.

Since it was launched in February the X-35 has sold in excess of 160 boats worldwide with fleets in Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden Italy and Switzerland. By summer 2007 X-Yachts expect sales of the 35 to exceed 200 boats.

Sales in the UK have been slightly slower than elsewhere because the market here is so driven by IRC. But 21 boats have now been sold: including three boats to Ireland, 10 destined for the Solent, three to the East Coast and two to Wales.

Four have been racing in the Garmin Winter Series. In the 23-boat class they finished third, fourth, eighth and 10th. ‘Cool Runnings’ finished even on points with ‘X-Dream’, our test boat, and also won her class in the Spring Series and Round the Island. The boat is very competitive up to about 15-16 knots of wind although after that it is quite short to compete against heavier yachts and especially IRC one-offs.

In 2007 there will be a UK class one-design programme. The intention is to have one-design racing for the Spring Series when 10 boats are expected to turn out, and there will be a class championship from July 12-14. Further afield the first X-35 Gold Cup was been held in Holland last July with 23 boats competing and the next one will be held during Kiel Week in Germany. At the moment delivery is still possible for Spring-early Summer 2007.

Build and layout

Construction is in keeping with the usual X-Yachts’ build. X-Yachts have always made a virtue of their robust construction. The solid galvanised steel chassis contains all the keel and rig loads and the X-35 does not scrimp in this department.

The hull uses a foam sandwich laminate using isophtalic polyester resin and biaxial E-glass cloth. The core is 15-20mm Divinycell. The deck is also a sandwich lay-up using multiaxial fabric. There is a teak finish to the cockpit seats, but otherwise the deck is pretty much free of wood which produces a clean-lined, slightly utilitarian feel.

The 2.15m (7.05ft) keel is L-shaped with a 1,700kgs bulb with a sensible aspect ratio to lean on, to ensure Joe Average can hold a tight lane off the start, vital in big fleet one-design racing.

The shrouds go out to the sheerline to give maximum support to the Nordic Masts aluminium rig, minimising the weight of section that can be used. The forestay and the verticals are apparently spec’d up a size from usual in order to fine tune the rig more accurately, particularly controlling mast bend and to prevent forestay sag. The other key feature is the 45:1 backstay arrangement which, common to the IMX 45 and 40, uses a ‘magic wheel’ under the cockpit sole.

The standard race rig utilises a large main, controlled by a single purchase A-style mainsheet, while the genoa is barber-hauled inboard to give a narrow sheeting angle. The standard sail package is one main, two 108 per cent jibs, one ORC heavy weather jib, a trysail and two spinnakers: an S2+ runner and an S3-4 all round spinnaker.

Under class rules sailmaker choice is open. There is a sail buttoning system which allows four new sails each year after an initial allowance of six plus four in year one. The crew is limited to two Group 3 sailors in class racing, and the rest must be Group 1 or 2. Group 2 or 3 drivers are only permitted if they own a minimum of 30 or 50 per cent of the boat’s total value repectively, and the overall crew weight allowance is 640kgs.

The deck layout is kept clean and simple. The mainsheet winches are to hand for the helm or the mainsheet trimmer. The cockpit is deep and safe. The open transom is similar to that of the IMXs. All the winches are by Harken with 40.2 Quattros on the halyards/kite sheets and 48.2s on the headsail.

Overall it is a pleasant-looking boat with nothing extreme or modern about it. The coachroof is quite chunky, making the boat look slightly topheavy from some angles but it is subtly styled. Personally I am not overly fond of the windowline, which I think makes the boat look quite traditional rather than modern, but then looks come a distant second to performance.

On the water

We had a perfect day on the Solent for our test sail, with 9-13 knots of wind and a huge dollop of winter sunshine — one of those days where you head out with a definite, rigid time window in mind, but it slips by quickly because we were all enjoying ourselves so much. Sadly we did not have the chance to see how the boat matches up on the racecourses but there was never any doubt that the X-35 did all that we asked of it, and more.

It is quick, lively and responsive but with a very simple, natural balance which will reward good sailing. It is a boat which is not easy to sail to its absolute optimum. It has a reputation for being harder to sail in the stronger wind ranges, which is probably justified, and requires a good knowledge of tuning the caps and lowers relatively aggressively and the top section using the backstay quite extensively.

The lower section of the mast is quite stiff to minimise forestay sagging. This can leave the boat easily overpowered when the breeze is up. According to X-Yachts guru Jochem Visser they have given away little time on IRC when it is over 18 knots of breeze to most boats when they pay close attention to this and are maxed on crew weight, sailing with 10.

Upwind there was little trouble in finding an easy groove and 6.8-6.9 knots, trading very little speed for height. With the big main the boat accelerates quickly out of tacks and is soon back up to max height and speed. With the barberhaulers on the jib it is essential to let the jib breathe in lighter winds and keep it powered up, leading the flow across the relatively large main. Downwind we had little to compare ourselves with, but the boat performed well with a relatively small crew. It would run deep happily with the conventional kite and felt quick. Most reports suggest there is little of that size which will touch the 35 downwind.

Bringing the bow up we were always in control in the bigger puffs, with the boat certainly keen to pop the bow, although we never quite had enough wind to sustain anything close to planing.

The X-35 is very light on the helm, pleasingly so. That makes it feel manoeuvrable, twitchy enough to reward precise small movements and accurate trimming. Compared with a conventional IRC leadmine it is relatively tender — consider it a Mumm 30 with an interior and you are somewhere closer. It may be dressed in the clothing of a sheep, but there is something feral to be tapped into on breezy downwind legs, while upwind in any weight of wind it will reward polished crew drills and sheer hard work. In that respect it is similar to the X-99, compared to the opposition at the top of IRC 2 — it can be as physically demanding and rewarding as you want it to be.

In terms of ergonomics it seemed to work well through the manoeuvres, while downstairs the saloon table removes easily for racing, There is a well-appointed, fully fitted interior with all the required bells and whistles for a family holiday, but the boat will sleep eight in relative comfort. It is open plan-looking aft, with two big doubles/twins which can be split with lee cloths. The galley includes a worktop, cooker with twin burner stove and good-sized oven on one side, plus a big coolbox on the other. Opposite, the nav station faces outboard, with a small flip-up seat on the side of the engine cover.

Forward there is a heads and wet hanging plus another hanging locker opposite. The forecabin is also comfortable, forming a perfectly acceptable living area when the boat is in holiday mode.

X-35 Review: Verdict

The X-35 offers an awful lot. X-Yachts are a premium brand and so the boat may cost a little more but the residual value is excellent and the market for this boat is certainly pan-European.

A UK fleet seems set and there is no reason why one-design fleets will not grow in Britain and Ireland with a little careful cultivation by X-Yachts GB. They need to ensure owners enjoy the experience and feel that tuning information is widely shared between the fleet so ensure that owners and crew feel they are racing like for like, even if they are not.

That said the boat does seem to have the potential to be competitive under IRC. The market for 35ft boats in the UK is possibly the hardestfought at the moment. It is a bigger boat all round than the First 34.7, but the X-35’s ‘USP’ is the One Design status.

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J/109 vs X-35

Peter Gustafsson Boats⛵️ , News j/109 , läsarfråga , x-35 16

This week’s reader question.

As I might be a bit biased, I think it would be great to hear your opinion on this first!?

I am a big fan and follow your sailing team. I am currently considering buying a boat and have a question, which I hope that you may be able to answer.  I am considering buying a X-35, J-109, or J-97. Mainly for short time cruising (mainly short-handed and around Denmark/Scandinavia) or occasional club racing. When I speak to other people I always receive a comment that “a J-109 is much easier to sail” or “it is very difficult to push an X-35 to sail quickly”. Could you please express your opinion on whether it is really so difficult to sail a X-35 and, which boat do you like better? If you have an opinion.  Another question regarding the X-35. How big is the difference in the performance of standard versus shallow draft yachts? I have no experience with any of the boats but I know that you used to have a J-109 and because of your immense experience I think that you will provide a qualified answer. I really appreciate your time and look forward to receiving your answer. 

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16 Comments

First question valid for me would be; Purpose ? Race, cruising, fully crewed or shorthanded?

Main differentieses -Genoa or jib? -Spinnaker or gennaker

For me none of the boats has both jib and gennaker which would be important for me.

But my feeling is the x35 is the most fun boat to sail.

J vs X. I haven’t sailed either of them but if I analyze the data, my view on the matter is the following (we’ll see if Peter agrees):

First of all, the difference between the boats is not huge, but still, there is a difference.

The J/109 has a heavier keel and a higher displacement both of which adds to the stability of the boat. She is also wider adding extra form stability. The stability/righting moment is one of the biggest performance drivers of a yacht, next to water line length, all things being equal. In both cases the J/109 is favored. However, all things aren’t equal as the the X-35 is quite a bit lighter and carries slightly bigger sail area (upwind) giving her a lower displacement/length ratio and a higher sail area/displacement ratio, meaning slightly better potential in heavy downwind conditions and upwind in light wind conditions. One might say the X-35 is a bit sportier, which also shows on the rating where she is slightly faster, despite the fact that she’s actually somewhat smaller.

The sportier a yacht is, the more sensitive she is to sail trim and handling. Now this might sound like fun times but it also means it’s harder to sail the boat to it’s full potential. Stability works in the same way, a stable yacht is easier to get up to speed than one that heels a lot in every gust, meaning you have to be more agile on the trim and work the gears more frequently.

A mediocre crew can race quite well in an IF-boat but if the same crew would race a 49:er they probably wouldn’t make it around the course. The rating is one thing, but how well you’ll be able to sail the boat around the course is something totally different.

What I’m trying to say is that I believe the J/109 to be slightly more forgiving and easy to sail to her full potential and even more so shorthanded. And she should always have the edge upwind in a breeze thanks to her extra righting moment and slightly longer water line length, even though she’s heavier.

If you plan on sailing predominately full crew with a really competent crew the X-35 will be more fun, challenging and rewarding.

But as I stated initially, the difference between the boats is not massive

I pick up from Jimmy but at the other end of the scale!! Don´t (by far) have that tech-skills as Jimmy but I have actually sailed both of them at several occasions. My experiences confirm Jimmy; J109 is easier to sail but needs genoa in the lower range (sub 6-8kn range). Upwind in general is easier in the J, X-35 is quick and fun upwind but needs attention in upper region. X-35 main is NOT small… Downwind; so much easier to use assy! Don´t ask me about interiors; not my area of interest… :) BTW; Jimmy´s skills overall as sailor /techguru is in another league than me…

The X-35 is extremely fast in light winds!! Beautiful lines and a aftersales and service from the X-Yachts yard is worth mention.

I would go for the X-35 and add some lead bricks to the steelframe (major adavangtes btw)… And look into a gennaker system? and how to down power the boat in diffrent wind conditions.

Be prepared to reef early, but you have very fast boat in light conditions which are must fun!

Hello , we sail an x35 in belgium .I gave the boat a bowsprit of 45 cm and two gennakers of 75 and 100 m2 and it is much better in heavy winds . We added some 30 kg of lead but this is not enough , my question : how many kg is best ?for light wind the 100 m2 gennaker was not enough , the class symm of 105 is better then . Next year we sail with a 130 m2 . Lets see … Mister sandman is the name .bel 3515

No adding of weight to the keel, if you want to keep the boat as an X-35. Regards from the Class Measurer

I’ll have to disagree with the “extremely fast in light winds” comparison. The X-35 has an edge of approx 4% VMG upwind in light air, and 2% upwind/downwind in most conditions. But as said above, not that easy to achieve in reality…

Probably the best benchmark was ORCi Worlds in Copenhagen 2016, which was a really light wind regatta. My report here .

Looking at the results in Class C , the Dutch J/109 Jai Alai finished 4th on handicap w X-35s in 16-19-21-24-34-50. An X-35 was faster in 5 of 8 races by an average of 5%. The J/109 was faster than the fastest X-35 in 3 races by an average of 3%.

Jai Alai was racing w a 140% genoa for rating reasons ( rating cert ), so not fully powered up.

So yes, the X-35 is marginally faster in light air.

And no, not everyone can get that performance out of the boat.

Our own racing with the J/109 supports this. At the Norwegian (notorious light wind race) Færderseilasen we raced in the R36 class against a number of X-35s, generally beating them both on the water and on corrected time. At home in Gothenburg I would say 50/50 against the well sailed X-35s.

Percentages and race data above are all well and good, but having sailed both I’d go for the X-35 every time. It is very fast in light winds (no matter who’s sailing it), and adding a bowsprit & a Code 0 makes it even faster.

I thought it worked well singlehanded in the Baltic, with a good B&G autopilot and 2 reefs in the mainsail it always felt balanced and under control. A furling headsail and an assymetric kite would make things even easier. Hard to touch it for line honours in most club races but also hard to win on handicap I would think.

I think the days of X-35 OD are gone and that most will now end up modified for comfortable shorthanded sailing and cruising. The overall standard of X-Yachts build quality puts it a notch above the J boats in my opinion but others will disagree.

Felt under control downwind under spinnaker in 20 knots as well? 😉

Have we seen any X-35s doing well with assy?

Depends what you mean by “doing well”

The stories of X-35 scaryness downwind are overrated in my opinion. It’s no worse or harder to sail under spinnaker in a breeze than anything else I’ve sailed that wasn’t a French sled (Pogo, RM) 😅

As in “X-35 with assy, and here’s a link to results that doesn’t suck” 😀

Fair enough, as an out and out racer there are lots of better options these days.

If I was in it to win it under the various handicap systems, a JPK 1010 (or a 1030 if budget was bigger) is what I would be looking at in 2021.

If I just wanted to get myself the best bang-for buck cool cruiser, that’s fast and fun to sail, and with an interior that doesn’t scare the wife and kids, the X-35 would be very high on my list.

Build quality on x 35 we sailed to and in Tjörn Runt left a lot to wish for – leaking windows and stanchions was a surprise. Also to fill water was awkward. Good fun to sail though.

Since you mention cruising in your question I would like to throw a third alternative into the potential options, the First 35. We sailed the First 35 Kwanza from 2010 to 2016 including the Worlds in Copenhagen 2016 and in Kiel 2014. The First 35 is significantly larger than the X-35 inside with two roomy separate cabins and all the comforts you may wish for cruising. We were able to match the X-35 on speed in most conditions and especially light downwind with our large mast head spinnakers. As with all boats, at least with our experience, it takes a few seasons, upgrading of sails, fairing of the keel and knowing your numbers with a stable crew before you get top international results. But that is also the great fun and why many years in the same boat will pay off.

We are now in the middle of this journey with our X-41 and hope that we shall come higher up amongst the X-41 fleet in the Worlds this summer.

What about a Bavaria35 match. How does that compare to both the J109, x35 and First 35

We have a J/109 that we use for cruising and short-handed club- and occasional offshore racing. The boat is in Gothenburg so same waters as you are planning to sail in.

We are happy with our boat and find her manageable doublehanded, beautiful and fast :) We don’t perceive her as underpowered as someone mentioned above. We have an all-round jib and a Code0 for upwind. On the contrary, this winter we are getting a smaller jib on an inner stay to use in heavier winds.

We really appreciate the bowsprit and find handling of the asymmetric downwind sails easy and use them more than we thought we would, even when cruising.

You are welcome to come test sail or just have a look on board if that would be of interest to you.

Per and Anna

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• Sailboat Guide

X-35 is a 34 ′ 9 ″ / 10.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Niels Jeppesen and built by X-Yachts starting in 2005.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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MASTERCRAFT X-35 REVIEW

TEST REVIEW: MASTERCRAFT X-35

Where do you start when it comes to the new MasterCraft X-35? Well, straight off the bat, it's a boat that's packed full of style and bling - lots of bling. MasterCraft boats come out of the 'States and have been available in Australia for some time now. They are the typical, no-nonsense mean-machines you'd expect from the Yanks and the X-35 is no exception - there are no compromises when it comes to the overall finish, quality of build and, of course, performance.

Yes, MasterCraft boats do carry one of those price tags that raises the left eyebrow, and you'd be looking at a cool $101,000 to get into bed with the X-35, or $138,900 for this fully optioned machine as tested. But before you go creaming yourself over the price, you have to remember this is not your standard two-bob-ninety-nine waterski boat. These boats are seriously classy, and have been innovatively designed to suit avid and professional wakeboarders, waterskiers and wakesurfers alike.

However, before I go any further, I should mention that there was something of a twist to this test; namely, that this boat wasn't tested in its "usual" environment. For obvious reasons, when we put a boat through its paces we ensure that it takes place in the environment most suited to the craft. For example, small tinnies obviously don't go out to the Shelf. However, this test was a little different. I was in need of a camera boat to shoot another vessel, a big Boston Whaler heading offshore, and since conditions were just short of perfect we decided to use the X-35. These salty offshore conditions would definitely not be the typical playground of a MasterCraft X-35, so it sure was going to be an interesting test.

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE

The MasterCraft X-35 as tested sported a whopping 6.2lt V8 Ilmor motor. Ilmor Engineering designs serious racing powerplants and has had a number of wins in NASCAR and IndyCar racing. In short, the X-35 had one bad boy of a donk under the hood that had no quibbles with shunting a heavy load, or pulling wakeboarders and waterskiers.

When I began putting the X-35 through its paces, I noticed the motor was pretty quiet but it still had a nice crackle that would turn heads. Out of the hole it was gutsy but still smooth, which is exactly what you need to get boarders and skiers out of the water quickly and comfortably. From there on the X-35 bolted up to a fair top speed of 34.5kts (64kmh) at 5500rpm at WOT (wide open throttle). Not a lightning top end, sure, but then this boat wasn't designed for racing.

As mentioned, the test was in an offshore environment where you wouldn't normally see boats like the X-35. However, it has a selfdraining wet-deck so if you did happen to take one over the snout, it would drain pretty quickly. The hull also has a unique shape whereby in the bow the deep-vee flares out to large shoulders that run all the way through to the stern. These shoulders add to the stability and do a good job of deflecting the spray downwards. The hull is also built as solid as a rock, and it weighs in at healthy 2227kg.

These combined factors saw the X-35 work exceptionally well offshore, where it delivered a superbly soft, dry ride - something I definitely didn't expect out in the swell. Back in the flat waters of the seaway the ride was just as good, only I could throw it into some tight turns at speed. Overall the handling was exceptionally good and it felt smooth to drive and safe on the water.

BRING YOUR MATES

As is standard of MasterCraft boats, the X-35 came loaded with features and one hell of a layout. The stern has a large, non-skid transom step / boarding platform with loads of space for wakeboarders and their gear. Seating consists of a spacious wraparound lounge in the stern, a passenger seat adjacent to the skipper (which is fully reversible and flips over in an instant for rear viewing), the captain's comfy and adjustable wraparound seat, and pickle-fork bow seating up front.

From the stern through to the bow all the seating is ultra comfortable and spacious, with the usual storage compartments beneath. All seating materials now have a new pleated carbon fibre look and an assortment of colour choices. This boat is rated for 16 occupants, which is typical of wakeboats from the States. Hang on a moment… can it really seat 16? At 23ft (7m) long, 2.6m wide and with plenty of open space and seating, it sure can.

FINE FEATURES

The X-35 has a number of awesome features which on this blinged-up model included a fantastic retractable wakeboard tower which can be lowered at the flick of a switch for towing and garaging. The wakeboard racks are also on a swivel system which allows them to be swivelled into the boat for towing and storage.

The command centre has a distinctive dash featuring a "BIG" (Boat Instrument Gauge) display and servo electromechanical gauges. It has an impressive array of analogue gauges, combined with a technical digital system. What's great about this BIG system is that you can program it to suit many different riders. Each rider sets up their desired speed and wake, which is then stored in the memory and is accessible at any time - thereby eliminating the hassle of setting up your wake each time you're on the water.

Another new feature on the X-35 is the surf-tab system - a set of trim tabs used to help set up the perfect surf wake. The electronically-assisted ballasts are filled and the tabs are used to lower one side, which creates a larger and sharper wake just off the stern, similar to a small wave of about a metre or so. You can then free-surf off the boat without a ski-line.

Other nice features include the built-in fridge and sink and the Esky-type cooler, so you're well and truly covered when it comes to keeping your food and drinks ice-cold.

These were just some of the X-35's features. The boat has many more to offer and just too many to mention. It's one of those boats you truly need to see for yourself and, if you can get a ride on or behind one, it will blow your mind.

You can wakeboard and waterski behind any boat that has sufficient power to pull you out of the water, but it's always nice to do it in style - like behind the MasterCraft X-35. It's an undeniably hefty price but the cliché "you get what you pay for" applies, and with the X-35 you get a boat that's superbly designed and finished. It's dedicated to the avid and professional wakeboarder and waterskier, but is also well suited to cruising with family and friends. It has more than enough bling and gadgets to please the most avid of technophiles and if classy cruising is right up your alley, one of these babies is well worth a look. You'll be the envy on the water.

  WEATHER CONDITIONS

Sea: 1.5m swell

  On the plane...

Luxurious finish and design

Superb ride and handling

Awesome new surf tab system

Incredible features and options list

Dragging the chain...

Price is fairly heavy

Wide beam means some towing restrictions

  Specifications: MASTERCRAFT X-35

Price as tested: $138,900

Options fitted: Surf tabs, plug 'n' play ballast system, 4 x tower speakers, fibreglass platform with teak inlay, underwater lights, forward lights, rear lights, powered tower, saltwater series kit, shower, water system

Priced from: $101,000

Type: Wake / skiboat

Material: GRP composites

Length: 7.14m

Beam: 2.59m

Weight: 2227kg (hull)

Deadrise: 15°

Rec. HP: 350

Max. HP: 440

Fuel: 227lt

Water: 30lt

Make/model: Ilmor MV8 6.2lt OPS

Type: Multi-port, sequential, fuel-injected, vee-drive

Weight: 466kg

Displacement: 6.2lt

Prop: 14.75in x 17.5in

MANUFACTURED BY

MasterCraft Boat Company

Vonore, Tennessee

United States

Web: www.mastercraft.com

SUPPLIED BY

Queensland Marine Centre

Cnr Nerang / Southport Road & Bailey Crescent

Southport, Qld, 4215

Tel: (07) 5591 7032

Web: www.qmc.com.au

  First published in TrailerBoat # 274

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• Reference ID 372
• Builder X-yachts
• L.O.A. (mtr) 10.60
• Beam (mtr) 3.25
• Draft (mtr) 2.17
• Displacement (Kg) 4528
• Material GRP -sandwich
• Engine Yanmar

Send to friend

Yacht description.

Refit 2019:

• New engine salt water pump
• New Electronics
• new Harken Foil
• New sails  
• Mast taken out and revised
• New electricity panel 

The  X-35  is a 34’10” multiple crew  monohull sailboat  designed by  Niels Jeppesen . She was built by  X-Yachts  (Denmark) and made of sandwich fiberglass / polyester with galvanised steel frame. The production started in 2005 .

LINK TO THE BROCHURE

• Mast, Double spreaded tapered aluminium mast from Selden
• Carbon Spinnaker Pole
• Backstay system with power magic wheel
• Discontinued BSI rod-rigging
• Race packet: Carbon spinnaker pole
• 4 Spectra sheets and guys - partly stripped
• Cruising Main sail with sliders / Cruising, very resistent sail does not require replacement
• Cruising Transport Genoa / Cruising, very resistent sail does not require replacement)
• Quantum Main / in top race condition
• 2 x Quantum Light Genoa  / one for training only, the racing one is in very good condition
• 2 x Quantum Medium Genoa / one for training only, the racing one is in very good condition
• 2 x Genoa 4 / one in bad condition, another absolutely new, 2 hours sail in Copa del Rey
• Spinnaker 0.5 North Sails / very good
• Spinnaker 0.7 Quantum / good
• Stormjib / never used

The sail plan, with the powerful main sail and 106% max jib, has the ability to accelerate the X-35 out of tacks, and keep her in the fast lane upwind.

The non-overlapping jib makes it easy for a shorthanded crew or family to sail the X-35, and an optional furling headstay converts the X-35 into a family friendly yacht.

Accommodations

• New upholstery on main cabin
• Forward cabin with V-Berth
• Head with manual toilet
• Saloon with foldable table and two large sofas. 

The X-35 has sleeping accommodation for eight persons, and will comfortably take a family of four out on a summer holiday cruise.

The mahogany interior gives the saloon a welcoming feeling, and the forward double cabin is roomy and has additional storage below the berth and in the wardrobe.

During racing the saloon table can be removed to create space for storing additional sails.

The split pantry and navigation section includes a gas stove with two jets and oven, a sink, storage for cutlery and a coolbox. The main switchboard can be fully controlled from the seat in front of the navigation area, and there is plenty of room for any navigation and electronic equipment needed by the owner.

The mahogany interior is hand-polished with a satin finish; and the superb joinery reflects X-Yachts traditional craftsmanship, not only when new but also in the future.

The glass fibre components, such as the engine box and the toilet section, are finished in a high gloss gelcoat that gives a modern and fresh look and, with the glass fibre head innerliner, comfort below deck is guaranteed in both warm and cold weather

Deck and Cockpit

Much attention has been paid to details on deck to make the X-35 easy to handle. Her cockpit is open and functional with a pleasingly clean layout. Her large wheel allows the helmsman to have a good view of the foresail, yet requires very little effort to steer her through the sea.

Her refined control line system, on top of the coach roof, keeps the cockpit clutter-free, and allows easy and simple handling for both family and crew. A special feature is the jib in-hauler system for improved and effective jib control, which runs neatly under the deck and back to the cockpit. All the deck equipment has been specially selected from top market brands, in accordance with the X-35’s superior design and high performance criteria.

• German mainsheet system
• primary Harken two-speed 48 winches
• big Harken Quattro 40s for fast spinnaker trim.
• 2 blocks on pad eyes for sheets
• In-hauler system for genoa incl. blocks, pad eyes and cam cleats
• One Design anchor: Standard 13 kg.
• Shorepower with cable
• Battery charger/12v/220v
• 6 lifejackets with harness
• 8 lifejackets
• Complete safety equipment (no liferaft)

Electronics and Navigational Gear

• Automatic Pilot Raymarine. Display on cockpit
• Installed in the hull: Speed (paddle wheel) and echo transducer
• Installed at the mast head: Wind transducer MHU213 vertical
• Plotter Raymarine C70, 8.4 screen with GPS antenna
• Pioneer Stereo with internal speakers
• Folding 2 blade prop
• Antifouling Hard Racing Teccel 7688W

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice

Sailboat specifications

• Last update: 20th March 2020

X-35's main features

X-35's main dimensions, x-35's rig and sails, x-35's performances, x-35's auxiliary engine, x-35's accommodations and layout.

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• Our yachts / X-Yachts X-35

X-Yachts X-35

Τhe X-35 is an exciting yacht to race around the buoys, no matter what the conditions. With the open transom, large working cockpit, full width steering wheel and all control lines on hand at both sides, she delivers smiles all round. Her hull, keel and rudder configuration gives the helmsman a very light and direct feel of the yacht, and she responds immediately to minor corrections. The sail plan, with the powerful main sail and 106% max jib, has the ability to accelerate the X-35 out of tacks, and keep her in the fast lane upwind.

Our yachts are reliable , modern, beautiful See Them All     ...and always ready to sail!

Yacht Summary

• Manufacturer: X-Yachts
• Model: X-35
• Build Number: 3
• Build Year: 2005
• Lying: ANTIBES, France
• Price: Sold
• Dealer: X-Yachts France
• Contact: Jean-Luc Chalant
• Phone: +33 (0) 494 45 37 33
• Email: [email protected]

X-35 optimized for short crew navigation, including Hall Spars carbon mast, Harken headsail furler,Selden gennaker pool and confort package. Very poor used and well maintened, ideal to combine club racing and day sailling.

Standard Specification

Standard X-35 brochure

Exterior Details

• White hull with blue stripes Flush seacocks
• Keel, and hull with racing preparation.
• Peeling of the underwater hull in 2016 and racing antifouling NAUTIX A4T may 2018
• Harken winches 2x 48, 2x 40 ST Quattro, 2 x ST40 and 2 extra ST winchs for solo handling
• Full HARKEN Racing deck hardware package
• SELDEN aluminium bowsprit
•  Main Voile GAUTHIER Kevlar with bearing travellers
•  Furling iib
•  DELTA Voiles racing genoa Carbon Membrane 2018 As new !
• Light Assymetrical Spinnaker Light 2018 As new
• Medium Symetrical Spinnaker 2006

Mast & Rigging

• Carbon mast from HALL SPARS white painted, double spreaders, traveller track for spinnaker on the mast, mast track with bearing travellers
• Discontinuous NAVTEC Rod Rigging
• HARKEN genoa headsail furler
• Spectra halyards, Spectra running rigging
• Standard X35 OD keel with racing preparation
• Yanmar 3YM20 21 HP
• Saildrive rubber seal replaced 2015
• Folding propeller
• Hot and cold pressurized water
• Electric + manual bilge pumps
• Electric Fridge
• Fresh water tank 100 L
• 1 x 120 Ah GEL service batteries
• 1 x 50 Ah AGM engine batteries
• Shore power with battery charger 10 Ah

Electronics

• Electronics B&G HYDRA 2000
• 3 20/20 displays on mast bracket,
• 2 Multigraphic display in the cockpit
• Speed sensor, -Depth - wind sensors with carbon masthead unit Halcyon compass
• B&G Hercules autopilot with display in the cockpit and AUTOHELM linear drive unit
• GPS FURUNO GP 32
• Mutilinks with Wifi display
• VHF SIMRAD with cockpit and chart table plugin

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