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X-Yachting 2013
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114 x-yachting 2013 s ince the xcruising
range
was launched in 2008, it has been a non-stop few years for the x-yachts
design
team, who are based in the yachting centre of hamble-le-rice on the uk’s south coast. the xc 45 was swiftly joined by the xc 42, xc 50 and xc 38. but while all four models received popular and critical acclaim, the
design
ers were already looking ahead, and by spring 2010 were hard at work on the xp
range
. the first xperformance yacht, the xp 44, was unveiled that summer and the fourth generation of performance cruisers
range
now encompasses an xp 38, xp 50, and this year’s new additions, the xp 33 and xp 55.
design
powerhouse having produced no fewer than nine new
design
s in five years – including two award- winners – the x-yachts
design
office
are an efficient and talented team, headed up by niels jeppesen who has overseen all x-yachts
design
s since the company was founded 33 years ago. the uk
design
office
is responsible for the naval architecture and
design
engineering of each new model, working in close co-operation with the technical and build teams based at the x-yachts headquarters in haderlev, denmark. from first concept to detailed manufacturing drawing, every element of every x-yacht is developed in-house, giving unrivalled quality control. niels jeppesen,
design
director, explains: “meeting our importers and especially owners at events, boat shows or on the water is where we get the majority of input on what they would like to see us
design
– the xcruising
range
came about in response to just such requests. inspiration also comes via my own sailing experience as well as studying both international yachting and interior
design
trends. “we keep up a constant dialogue with the production crew about how far they are willing to push for more advanced construction technology as saving weight in the hull, deck, structures and furniture, enables us to increase the keel weight and performance of future models.” the uk based
design
team utilise the latest 3d
design
software tools to
design
the hull lines and structures of each yacht. as the boat takes shape, the next stage is to run it through a vpp – or velocity prediction program, an analysis tool used establish potential performance, and also ensure each cruiser-racer is optimised for irc and orc handicap ratings. all of the
design
team are keen sailors, frequently racing x-yachts in the solent.
design
office
manager tim smyth comments, “racing with our clients allows us to continuously develop and learn. we get great feedback on things like balance, stability, ergonomics and sail handing, not to mention an opportunity to line up against the competition. it’s not just the racing side of things either; a windy delivery across the north sea really gives you a great insight into the practical considerations on board. we all really appreciate the opportunities we have and i think this tells in the final product.” the uk
design
team’s work continues throughout the build process, supervising the production and generating detailed milling industrial
design
er kristian arens
design
office
manager tim smyth we take a peek inside the new x-yachts uk
design
office
to see what’s on the drawing board...
2013-range-engineering-115.html