FIRST TEST X49

A stylish performance cruiser that is manageable short-handed and gets you to your destination fast

-  Pip Hare

The X49 is squarely aimed at the no-compromise sailor who wants it all. It combines a comfortable, stylish interior, with clean, beautiful lines on deck and can even be raced with a minimal crew. This is a tough balance to achieve, and so often compromise can lead to disappointment. Setting out on a blustery day for the Solent, with a crew of four, I was intrigued to find out if this 50-footer could really deliver the whole package.

Within 10 minutes of leaving the berth I was glued to the helm, blasting upwind with a grin on my face. When a company has 40 years of design experience, hybrid does not necessarily mean compromise.

The X49 is the third model to launch in the new ‘Pure’ X range, following the impressive X43 and X65 that our sister title, Yachting World, tested four years ago. This popular new range aims to bridge the gap between the Xp performance and Xc cruising lines. Some 26 boats have already sold since the first hull launched early 2018. Hitting the sweet spot between comfort and performance is a tricky thing to achieve, but this boat appears to have it all. The stylish interior combines good looks and practicality. On deck the X49 cuts an equally subtle yet impressive figure. The pinstripes of a full teak deck run seamlessly from bow to stern with any deck gear that may interrupt it recessed or hidden.