GO WILD

Axopar's multitasking 45 XC is 48 knots of fun with flexible layout options.

- PHIL DRAPER

WHAT A SHAME that I had only an afternoon to play with Axopar's new flagship, the 45 XC. When I first saw it the day before, the boat was tied to an outer pontoon at the Cannes Yachting Festival with a kayak and an electric mountain bike strapped to the coachroof rack, unwashed salt glistening in the early autumn sunshine. The 45 XC looked liked it had just returned from an epic voyage. These Finnish-designed crossover vessels look adventure-ready. ¶Outwardly, all Axopars share the same design cues: slightly reversed stems, a glimpse of hull steps at the waterline, high bulwarks and deep walkaround decks. On the bigger models, there are also cabins with an explorer-style, raked-forward windshield. ¶ The XC in this model's name stands for "cross cabin." Think of a nautical multitool, and you will get the gist. Every cubic inch aboard has a function or three. Stuff slides back and forth, glides up and down, and rotates this way and that way to meet all manner of guest demands.