Saturday 23rd November 2024
Tali and Yuval – Exploring Scandinavia in their brand new Xc 47.
Starting point: X-Yachts, Haderslev, Denmark
Our Xc 47 journey began in the summer of 2024 when we picked up our new yacht at the harbor of X-Yachts headquarters in Haderslev, Denmark. Here, we received a walkthrough of the boat and all its features and new systems.
Afterwards we sat down with Torben Kornum and planned a scenic route through the seas of Scandinavia. It was great to do this with an experienced sailor who knows these waters, as we have sailed around the world, but this was our first trip around the Nordic Oceans. From here, we set sail and followed our mapped route, with the mindset of allowing space for further explorations during our journey.
Sailing around Scandinavia from Denmark
The route led us to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, and we must say that we were delightfully surprised by our adventure in Scandinavia.
In Denmark, we were met with kindness and hospitality everywhere. It was unlike anything we had experienced before — and we have sailed around most of the world. For instance, a friendly fisherman helped guide us into the harbor of Middelfart.
We loved the South Sea of Denmark and would recommend everyone to explore the small islands that Denmark is offering. We spent three weeks on the isle of Bornholm, where we biked around and even met the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II.
In Copenhagen, we docked at Nyhavn Harbor, which was an experience unlike docking at any capital we had previously encountered. You can sail directly into the harbor and dock right in the city center, allowing you to venture into the city while still getting a peaceful night’s sleep without the big-city noise. If you visit Copenhagen, we also recommend sailing to Dragør — a charming and delightful old town.
Finding Shelter in Oslo Fjord
After Denmark, we sailed towards Norway. Due to changing weather, we wanted to find shelter. We sailed into the Oslo Fjord, which turned out to be a safe haven, as the water there is always calm.
We highly recommend the Oslo Fjord in Norway, both for seeking shelter and for staying for a longer period, as it is a great place to anchor and have vacation. We ended up spending a month there, hosting friends and family who came to visit us. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the fjord, particularly Egersund, which was truly beautiful. Everywhere we went in Norway, we were met with great hospitality.
Landscapes Worth a Visit
In Sweden, we fell in love with the landscape. We were blessed with many sunny days and experienced a sense of efficiency and organization in every harbor. There were so many fjords and cities to explore.
Finland, too, is an underrated gem. It wasn’t crowded with tourists, which made the experience peaceful. The scenery was stunning, with breathtaking views.
The natural beauty of the Scandinavian countries is highly recommendable.
A New Boat That Is Easy to Handle
We have owned three X-Yachts during our time as boat owners, and we must say, our newest one is special.
The Xc 47 yacht offers many features that enhance the overall sailing experience.
We are two experienced sailors with many birthdays behind us, and even though it was just the two of us on board most of the time, we had no trouble handling the boat. The yacht is perfect for two people, whether they’re young or older.
It’s even easy to handle in harbors with the joystick. In one harbor, there was only room for one large yacht, but with a skilled skipper, you can dock anywhere. People around us were amazed by how we navigated our relatively big boat into the small harbor. Thanks to the joystick, docking was easy.
Designed To Please Its Owner
The design and shape of the boat allow it to move effortlessly even in light winds. It glides smoothly on the water and cuts through the waves while remaining stable.
The in-boom furling system is also a great feature, especially for just two people on board. The self-tacking system makes everything easier and more efficient, ensuring that the sail never gets caught on the rail. When you furl it all in, it’s done!
We appreciated the small gap between the sail and the deck, ensuring that no wind is lost. Instead, it captures every breeze, no matter how light.
Even in windy weather, the boat excels! Thanks to the overall system and in-boom furling, we felt secure in strong winds. The ability to reduce the sails quickly and efficiently adds to the boat’s safety.
Being Big Doesn’t Mean Being Less Responsive
Despite the boat’s size, we noticed a significant difference in its sensitivity to trimming. The Xc 47 is wonderfully responsive, and it was a true pleasure for us to play with the adjustments while sailing.
It is a boat that is easy for a single person to handle, but it’s also great for partners to work on together. We had clear roles between us, and the boat was very easy to cooperate on while sailing.
All in all, we are really happy with the newest addition to our boat ownership record.
The Xc 47 does not disappoint; on the contrary, it pleasantly surprised us and made our sailing trip around Scandinavia a light and unforgettable experience.
A Sense of Community
There was no doubt when scouting for our new boat that we wanted to stay in the X-Yacht family. We have owned three X-Yachts in our lifetime, and in addition to getting a great boat, you also become part of a community.
Everywhere we went, people were excited when we arrived. Everyone notices an X-Yacht, and it’s like being part of a community—or a family—where people help each other, share advice about the harbor and the city, and take care of one another. We felt welcome everywhere we went.
Open Mind Equals Open Boat
We have sailed our whole lives and have many great experiences to look back on. However, over time, we’ve changed our mindset when we set sail. We avoid rushing, preferring to take our time and fully immerse ourselves in the experiences as they unfold.
This has also given us a better opportunity to keep an open mind and heart, which translates into having an open boat and inviting people we meet at the harbors onboard. For instance, we spent two hours in Tuborg Havn, Copenhagen, with new acquaintances who shared suggestions for exploring the nearby city and sea.
Without a tight schedule, we were able to welcome new adventures, people, and possibilities. Staying in one place for longer allows us to explore more deeply.
The longer we stay, the more we enjoy it.
What’s Next?
We ended our sailing tour where we started, in Haderslev. Here, we returned the yacht in the hands of X-Yachts, who will service the boat and store it for us over the winter.
Next summer, we will be back and once again set sail from the South Sea of Denmark. We are still mapping out our next adventure, with one thing we are certain of: Scandinavia has even more to discover!
We are counting the days until July 4th, 2025.