The all new X-50 was launched and tested on Sunday 19 September 2004 in Haderslev by a test crew consisting of
X-Yachts Design Group and Development Team.
The location was in Haderslev, where the X-50 motored out Haderslev Fiord and into the open waters of Lillebælt (east of Haderslev). Wind conditions were between 15 and 22 knots westerly wind.
Motoring through Haderslev Fiord at 7 nm into Lillebælt, under full speed - impressive 9 knots were read on the handhold GPS. Engine insulation and vibrations are very limited due to the extensive development work carried out in this aspect, which has influenced all the new X-Yachts models since the launch of the X-43 in 2003.
The sails were hoisted in fresh winds, and in order to get away from the coast of Jutland, the spinnaker was hoisted as well.
In flat waters, broad reaching, the speed was constantly around 11.5–12.5 knots and the yacht took off while hit by gusts reaching nearly 14 knots.
Dan Pedersen, former X-99 World Champion and X-Yachts’ racing expert, who has also won several X-Yachts Gold Cups on board IMX 45s and the X-46, says about the X-50:
"Having sailed the X-46 during this year’s X-Yachts Gold Cup in Italy on board "Jonathan Livingstone", and the IMX 45 "Alice" over the last two years (this yacht being used to model the new generation of X-Yachts Performance Cruiser/Racers), the new X-50 stands out even more being very easily driven, having narrower hull lines – and at the same time having an even higher stability.
The steering was extremely easy downwind as well as on all other courses, as the transmission is made very direct and the rudder blade large, deep and well balanced.
Going upwind in the fresh breeze, it was very noticeable that this new design is stiff and not very wide. The relatively slim hull lines make the boat very easily driven – the sharp bow sections make the yacht cut through the steep sea very comfortable and smooth – and the deep heavy bulb keel gives the yacht an extremely high stability, enabling the sail plan to be big and efficient. The result is a very fast yacht, very responsive, the acceleration seems fantastic, and the steering is again very easy, two fingers can make the job.
Never have I sailed such a well balanced yacht – downwind, reaching and upwind".
On board also, was X-Yachts’ chief engineer, Niels Ditmar, who is responsible for the rig design.
Together with the Danish mast builder, "John Mast", Niels Ditmar has designed and developed a completely new mast section. The section is relatively long in order to make the mast very stiff in the longitudinal direction and to avoid baby stay, runners and check stays.
Every single detail on the new mast has been carefully engineered and designed - right from the section design, via the fixations of the spreaders, the gooseneck fittings, the attachment of the standing rigging to the all new boom section design.
Niels Ditmar says:
"I was very pleased with the yacht. The helming was so nice and fun, as Dan Pedersen said. The new mast configuration with 3 sets of swept back spreaders to avoid runners and check stays, require that the standing side rigging (shrouds and intermedias) all have to be set up quite tight. Having done this, the control of the forestay sack is efficient and easy via the Navtec hydraulic backstay pump – as well as the main sheet tension. The pumping of the mast is limited by the heavily set up tension of the shrouds and intermedias.
We sailed in 1.5m high and steep seas and noticed that the mast was standing very quietly and pumping was almost non-existing. So I was very satisfied with this new mast section, which to my belief, is the closest we can come to the characteristics of a perfect modern carbon fibre mast section.
"The Norwegian X-482 offshore sailor, Per Otto Skaaret, (owner of an X-482, but has X-50 hull No 05 on order), helmed the X-50 and was deeply impressed with how much easier the helming was. He said:
"There is much less rudder pressure, and even though the twin wheel configuration has a smaller wheel diameter, the response on the wheel is more sensible, and at the same time the pressure feels lighter, and much less tiring than what I am used to on my X-482. I cannot wait till April next spring where I take over my X-50".
X-Yachts chief designer, co-owner Niels Jeppesen shot the first sailing photos of the new X-50 while sailing on an X-562. He says:
"While motoring out of Haderslev Fiord, I was impressed by the speed of the X-50. Even under engine she is fast – so fast that we could not catch up. Under sail she looks – in my opinion, very elegant. The photos I took speak for themselves I believe.
I cannot wait to feel the reaction from the audience in Genoa at the boat show, where she is having her World Premier. I believe that the details above deck as well as below deck will appeal to that audience, who favour elegance as well as smooth and fast sailing".
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