Owner's Comments

Why did we choose an X-Yacht?
Xenia is our 3rd yacht and we had previously owned a 32 ft then a 37ft French production boat. We had always admired X-Yachts and had raced on a X-119 back in the 1990s in the Winter and Spring series. Our journey into yacht ownership came through a passion for sailing and racing Dart catamarans and RS800s interspersed with yacht charter holidays. By the early 2000s we were juggling our passion for sailing with 2 young daughters and in 2010 we decided that it was time to find a boat we could all fit on to go sailing together. The first few years were spent in the Solent and as far west as Portland, mainly short coastal passages, with the destination and what we found there being just as important as the getting there. By 2016, having made a few channel crossings and passages to the west country, we were ready for a bigger adventure and to buy our 'forever boat'. The decision to buy an X4³ was driven by the desire to make longer passages and to be able to get there more quickly whilst still retaining the cruising comforts we had become accustomed to in our previous boats. We also wanted the security of a stronger hull and keel construction to help us to feel safer and more secure in our new adventures. The day we went for a test sail in an X4³ it was gusting up to 30 knots but it was all calm on deck and impressively quiet down below; none of the creaking and slamming we were used to. We loved the light and bright interior with the pale wood and sleek Scandinavian lines and the large saloon table that opens out to seat at least 2 families around it for dinner then a game of 'spoons' or 'cheat'! We paid our deposit and waited with excitement until the following spring to bring Xenia home from the X-Yacht yard in Haderslev, Denmark.

What is she like to sail?
Xenia loves to go sailing! Her mainsail is so controllable with the main traveller and backstay that trimming it is a delight. The coach roof jib fairleads ensure the jib can be closed hauled for good upwind performance and makes tacking very easy. We use our sails a lot because Xenia sails upwind beautifully in 5 knots of breeze and they are easily reefed from the cockpit to provide comfortable sailing in stronger breezes. We rarely motor these days.
Our choice of North Sails, which are fast and in excellent condition, provide perfect control and outperformed other X4³'s with 3Di sails when competing in the X-Yacht Solent Cup! The recent addition of a G Zero has increased the speed of our downwind sailing and helped us to make a glorious passage from Dartmouth to Yarmouth in 10 hours last summer.

Which options on Xenia did we choose and why?
X-Yachts come very well specified as a standard model. We planned to do lots of sailing as a family and made safety and comfort a priority; choosing not to over-complicate the boat and avoiding things like electric winches with young hands on board. We specified 2 B&G plotters - one at each wheel and an iPad which links to the navigation system providing a third plotter at the chart table or wherever else it is needed! AIS and an autopilot were also deemed essential items for channel crossings and longer passages. We treated ourselves to the composite wheels; as well as looking great they are warm to the touch, light and strong. We chose North Sails and we are very happy with them - we were treated to a sail with one of their experts on board which was very useful and informative. We have Contender breathable Weathermax covers throughout for our wheels (fleece lined) and winches as well as for both the mainsail and the jib - these have been used religiously to protect and keep them all clean.
Down below, we chose to have the pipe cots fitted in both aft cabins because as well as providing extra sleeping spaces for friends, they add storage space for bags and paddleboards.... They are great for long upwind passages too.
We chose the larger transom platform as it adds extra security for our family and provides a huge bathing platform on which we have spent many hours of fun swimming and paddleboarding. It is a useful extension to the cockpit providing space for showering after swimming, BBQing or just sitting watching the world go by.

Which options we did not choose and why?
As mentioned above, we chose not to have electric winches because of the young people on board and have found all winches are manageable without. However, we upgraded both the jib and halyard winches allowing for the option of converting the halyard winch to electric.
We did not choose a bow-thruster as on the test sail we found the X4³ to be very easy to manoeuvre and have never failed to control Xenia in or out of berths or tight spaces.
We have a folding 3-blade Flexofold propeller which provides excellent boat handling.
We did not choose a second fridge, fearing the power consumption would mean we didn't run them both all the time or that we would have to run the engine to keep the beers cold. Our fears were unfounded however, as the fridge stays very cold using very little power when we are not running the engine or on shore power.
One of the reasons we chose an X4³ over her competitors was the option not to have forward heads. In our opinion one heads is enough to clean and maintain on a boat this size. Instead, we have a beautiful light and spacious 'owners' cabin with plenty of storage (two clothes lockers) and space to get dressed in and relax. Come and see for yourself! We can't think of a single moment we have regretted this decision.

What have we changed on the boat?
We fitted a carbon bowsprit in 2019 and commissioned a North G-Zero which is a beautiful sail, easy to manage and makes sailing off the wind even more of a pleasure. It simply unfurls and furls away as and when needed with minimum effort. A nearly new addition which has only had less than 20 hours use.
Last year custom made soft close drawers with a high load capacity were fitted into the cupboard below the sink in the galley making it easier to stow and find things in this large and useful space.
A Nespresso coffee machine was fitted during our first season. - That's it!

Why are we selling Xenia?
Xenia is a beautiful boat that we have sailed as a family with confidence and passion, stretching our cruising boundaries in the knowledge we have a safe and sturdy keel beneath us. Xenia is more than a capable sailing yacht, she is a pleasure to sail, exhilarating and responsive. She is where we go to find peace and serenity in our busy lives, where we meet friends, take friends and make new friends.
Although we thought Xenia was our 'forever boat', we have found ourselves in a fortunate position of being able to retire and spend more time on our boat but more as a couple than a family, as our girls are now grown up and doing their own things. Part of our plan is to go back to the Baltic and sail for a season there. One thing led to another and we found ourselves ordering another new X-Yacht! She will be another X4³ because she suits our needs perfectly.
We love Xenia, she is part of our family and we are hopeful she will find lovely new owners who will enjoy her as much as we have.

Details

Additional Information

• X-Yachts (GB) Ltd. 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 surveyor to investigate such details. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.