Would it be possible to race competitively at a high level, with a “cruising” X-40 with teak deck? This was the question I asked myself, when I ordered the X-40 in September 2004.

Our 2005 season showed that you do not need a stripped racer to do well at the highest level. The X-40 can clearly fill both needs: comfortable cruising and winning races.

Goofy’s Race and Reco Regatta
At the first try-out, in the Goofy’s Race in Belgium, X-Argenta beat a number of very competitive boats, including former European IMS champion “Checkmate” and a few top Dutch IMX 40s. At the Reco Race we sailed very well during the first day, ranking third and only one point behind the Winner. But, on the following day, we had a very bad start in the first race; were back in contention following a clear win in the second race; but then lost it all with a DSQ. Third place overall was not bad, but still disappointing for us because it could have been better.

Schelde Regatta
Just before the holidays, we took the line honours amongst 70 boats at the Schelde Regatta, a popular race on the Schelde river in Belgium. Our biggest competition came from a new Grand Soleil 45, which was sailed by a team from North Sails. It was great to win by a few minutes on real and corrected time against these professionals. In our first race, after the holidays, we again took the line honours in the “Mosselrace”, a race with almost 80 boats on the Oosterschelde River.

IMS Racing
One week later, we went to Breskens Week for some serious racing in a very competitive IMS fleet. Our old friend and Belgian living legend, André Nelis, steered the boat and did very well, as expected.

After three days and six races, we were a good second place overall. We were leading until the last race but, strangely, our X-40 seemed to have a high handicap in the low wind range, under IMS. We finished this last race in second position, just behind the overall winner, “Allard,” a Sydney 39 and pure racer; but lost important points to the IMX-40 “Foxy” and the Bénéteau 47.7 “Moana”, although they finished 30 seconds behind us in real time.

Winning the Belgium CRC Championship
One week later, in the Belgium CRC championship, we easily won against other named “fast performance cruisers”, such as a Fingulf 41 and Spirit 425. The difference in real time was really enormous. Twice, we came in more than fifteen minutes before the second boat.

Antwerp Race
The season finished with a second place in the Antwerp Race. Because of a frustrating knot between the sailbag and the sheets, we lost a few minutes at the start. This was a pity, as we missed first place by less then a minute, against a pure racing machine, a Mumm 30.

Eddy Verbinnen
X-Yachts dealer Belgium