x yacht 332 review

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• By Peter D’anjou
• Updated: October 29, 2001

There’s comfort in buying a proven model from a reputable builder. But at the same time, how do you find something different that your friends haven’t seen before? One way is to look overseas, perhaps to Denmark’s X-Yachts.

For example, X-Yachts’ X-332 is a cruiser/racer with an established race record in Europe. It’s a 1995 Niels Jeppesen design, and 300 have been built to date. It’s been successful under a variety of rating systems, winning the Italian IMS championship and the Channel Handicap System division in the French Spi Quest. And of all the boats Jeppesen has designed, he chooses to own and race a 332. Yet strangely, none have made it to the United States, until now. In November, we test sailed Steve Longo’s new 332 Phoenix out of Stamford, Conn., on a sunny Sunday afternoon in a dying northerly.

Before setting off, we sized up the boat dockside, noticing the generous freeboard and high cabin house, which extends prominently toward the bow, resulting in very little foredeck area. Later we’d discover the reason for this is to give the boat interior volume and 6 feet of stand-up headroom in the forward cabin. The boat bobbed more eagerly than its dockside companions, giving us the impression of a slightly skittish light-displacement boat that would lay over in a breeze. Our first impressions were wrong.

The cockpit is big enough for five or six adults. On our test boat, the wheel, which is an option, was set well aft. Bisecting the cockpit in front of the wheel is the mainsheet traveler. It spanned the cockpit at thwart level, requiring the helmsman to step over it to get to the wheel. This layout befits the use of a tiller. The area has ample sail and storage lockers and a simple 16-to-1 backstay adjuster. The cockpit sole runs forward to X-Yachts standard companionway design–extending in a step from the after end of the cabin house. This design puts you in the cockpit, instead of having to balance on the top step of the companionway ladder, when managing “pit” functions.

Descending into the main cabin, you’re surrounded by teak. A double sink, icebox, double settees, folding table with seating for six, and three-burner stove with oven, enhance the “I could live on this boat” feeling. There are drawers and hanging lockers, but the biggest interior surprise was the separate cabins forward and aft. On a 33-foot boat with standup headroom, we didn’t expect to see private double cabins and a separate, fully enclosed head to starboard.

As we motored out of Stamford into Long Island Sound, Longo described how he’d discovered X-Yachts. “I sailed on some bigger X-Yachts and was always impressed with the stiff construction,” he said, referring to the hot-galvanized steel frame that’s glassed into the hull. X-Yachts has been successfully reinforcing their boats this way for 20 years. An eye in the frame serves as a central lifting point. “The one thing that really stood out about those X-Yachts,” said Longo, “was when it got windy, they didn’t heel excessively but stiffened up and went.”

Soon, we hoisted the Dacron delivery sails to find out for ourselves how the boat sailed. With six crew sitting on the rail in the cold, 12-knot breeze, the boat heeled about 15 degrees. It tracked with just one hand on the wheel. We were prepared for more heel, but apparently the 332’s dockside dance had more to do with its light displacement than its righting moment.

The speed hovered in the 6-knot range upwind, and downwind we pushed 7 knots with the spinnaker up. The handling was excellent but not perfect–during a beat, we twice got a puff that caused the boat to momentarily round up, stalling the rudder. The high-aspect rudder helps the boat sail to weather well, but we were surprised that it stalled in average conditions. An attentive mainsheet trimmer would be valuable in puffy conditions. The X-332 points well and, with only a 9,600-pound displacement, accelerates out of a tack quickly. The conditions didn’t allow us to discover if the boat could surf downwind. With a PHRF rating of 120 seconds/mile, this boat will be tough to beat in B-fleet club racing.

One unusual feature we liked was the jib track with its adjustable cars. Instead of mounting the track on the flat deck, X-Yachts marries the cabin house and the deck with an angled rise that moves the tracks inboard just enough to give an unobstructed walkway. Longo upgraded the boat’s base package of $115,000 with what X-Yachts refers to as their “Prestige Package.” This upgrade added Anderson 40ST winches, North sails, Raytheon electronics, a Fancor roller furler, and some interior improvements, such as teak cabinets and handholds, for a sail-away, race-ready cost of $130,000. A buyer could save money by sticking with the standard tiller.

We give this boat a thumbs up as a well-built, well-equipped cruiser/racer. With two private cabins, you could cruise it comfortably, and judging its performance overseas, you could surprise your competition on the racecourse, too.

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Niels Jeppesen has added another attractive boat to his potent fleet of X boat models. The intent of this model according to the brochure is to be a "mid-size offshore one-design." To date the boat has been winning races and selling very well in the United States.

Given the fact that this model has a complete and luxurious looking teak interior I suppose you could consider this a dual-purpose boat. You could cruise it, but a 13.2-gallon fuel tank and 31.7 gallons of water might take the X-332 out of your "serious cruising boat" category. I see this boat primarily as a race boat with weekend cruising capabilities, and for many of us that's all we really need.

The hull looks pretty normal. It might be nice to see someone try something different in terms of hull form but I don't think that's in the cards. Even at the America's Cup level hull shapes seem to be fairly uniform in terms of volumetric distribution. Again for fun, I checked the half angle in plan view of the deck edge and the angle for the X-332 is 21.5 degrees. The keel shows large leading and trailing edge fillets and draft is a modest 5 feet, 11 inches. This makes me think there must be a performance keel available but I don't see one listed anywhere. If the boat is showing race winning performance with a 5-foot, 11-inch draft, I am truly impressed. The D/L is 177. Note that the rudder stock is almost vertical and not perpendicular to canoe body as it usually is. Note also the small skeglet preceding the rudder.

This interior is typical of many European boats this size. The double berth aft is big but not particularly easy to access. The galley is adequate but the icebox is small and there is very little counter space for food preparation. "What! Pickled herring for dinner again?" The two sinks are barely big enough for a full-sized plate.

In contrast the nav station is generous in size and in fact takes up as much boat as the entire galley. The head is tight but it includes a small wet locker. The photos I have of this interior show a beautifully detailed boat with rich teak veneers and solid trim. Curves are used to soften the components and the round stool for the nav station that the drawings shows is really a comfy, built-in helm seat.

On deck the cockpit is long and divided by the mainsheet traveler. The tiller looks really short but you can go with the wheel option. There is a shallow swim step notched into the transom. The companionway is slightly recessed into the aft side of the cabintrunk providing an ideal surface for halyard bags directly outboard of the hatch. Decorated with big, multiple bootstripes the freeboard of the X-332 is disguised and this is a really good looking boat. Niels Jeppesen has a good eye for aesthetics.

The rig is fractional, as you would expect for a racing boat. There are double sweptback spreaders. The headstay is pulled about 10 inches off the stem. Using their sail areas with full main including roach, I would assume, and 100 percent jib I get a SA/D of 22.43.

While I can think of better galleys on bigger boats, I'm sure after a brisk beat up the sound I'd be ready to forgive the X-332 its shortcomings. This is a great boat for racing and occasional cruising. It's a size where things will not get overpowering when the wind pipes up. Considering the 33 feet, 10 inches of LOA the accommodations are impressive and I'd much rather have a design tilted toward performance than interior volume.

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Also from Robert H. Perry

X-332 Standard

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 3rd April 2020

X-332's main features

X-332's main dimensions, x-332's rig and sails, x-332's performances, x-332's auxiliary engine, x-332's accommodations and layout, x-332's aft cabin.

Similar sailboats that may interest you:

X-332 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of X-332. Built by X-Yachts and designed by Niels Jeppesen, the boat was first built in 1994. It has a hull type of Fin w/bulb & spade rudder and LOA is 10.06. Its sail area/displacement ratio 20.20. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Yanmar, runs on Diesel.

X-332 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about X-332 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the x-332.

X-332 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.

Who builds X-332?

X-332 is built by X-Yachts.

When was X-332 first built?

X-332 was first built in 1994.

How long is X-332?

X-332 is 8.81 m in length.

What is mast height on X-332?

X-332 has a mast height of 13.14 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

X-Yachts 332

Though many yachties are attracted to the fleet-footed x-332 for its racing prowess, it's also the ideal craft to venture off into the wide blue yonder.

It might not help our balance of payments, but it's put the wind up the sport of sailing. Having so many yachts from Europe available Down Under means the choice has never been better. There are now craft from France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark plying our waters and chasing the Aussie dollar.

The cosmopolitan fleet runs the gamut of brands. There are companies with an output of less than a hundred boats a year, then there are the major factories which measure turnover in tens of thousands of boats.

One of the boutique builders, X-Yachts from Denmark, is the latest brand to arrive. X-Yachts has been going since the late '70s, makes 300-400 yachts a year and has built its reputation on fast 3/4 tonners and one-design racing.

These days X-Yachts is less indulgent and more worldly in its ways, focusing on the burgeoning world of consumable cruiser/racers. Strong and fast, these are ideal yachts for serious club sailors who harbour a secret desire to venture beyond their backyard one day.

To illustrate the point, take a snapshot of a perfect autumn day in May this year. While I was racing in a fleet-footed 33ft X-Yacht with Middle Harbour Yacht Club somewhere over the horizon was the brand's importer, Ralph Hogg, participating in the inaugural Coffs Harbour-to-Fiji race on a 41-footer.

In both events, these yachts proved formidable opponents within their respective fleets. Aboard the X-332, which is the smallest model imported here, we took third place behind former Sydney-Hobart winner Terra Firma, a Murray-designed 41-footer, and the 50-footer, Foxtel Titon Ford, skippered by Peter Sorenson.

Further, the X-332 won the European IMS Championship last year and rates favourably under both IMS and CHS. As for the 41, it also has top track form. At the time of writing, it was leading its division enroute to Fiji when a 45-knotter made them run for cover in Noumea.

But while racing is a big part of X-Yachts' personality, they are much more than just fast boats. Strength and space are attributes I noted in the X-332, not to mention the sleek lines and warm mahogany interior calling from below.

ALL DECKED OUT Made to demanding European standards that call for structural integrity from the keel up, the X-332's hull and deck are fashioned from hand-laid fibreglass around a Divinycell foam core. Solid laminate is used around the skin and deck fittings, keel and rudder.

Having learned the ways of high-tech materials through its forays into racing boats, X-Yachts adds hand-laid biaxial E-glass around foam for its rudder blade and tapered aluminium on the stock. Internally, the X-332 is built stiffer again. Galvanised steel is glassed in as the hull frame, which shares the load of the keel and the keel-stepped mast. The marine-grade Khaya mahogany plywood bulkheads are also glassed in, while the sturdy mast is fitted with discontinuous rod rigging and a 1:16 adjustable backstay.

Just as impressive is the deck gear. Rarely do you need to leave the cockpit when racing. The Spectra halyards lead to banks of clutches on the coachhouse and you can adjust the boom outhaul and reefing line here too.

Needless to say the deck remains clean and, with a good grade on non-skid, easy to get around. The (optional) roller furling headsail also makes life easier, and with a below-deck drum you can still fly a decent genoa. Note also that the tracks are mounted well inboard for favourable sheeting angles.

Deck hardware is a combination of Lewmar, Harken and Frederiksen, while the sail wardrobe comes from locals Fraser or North. The testboat had Fourth-Dimension fully moulded Fraser sails and a spinnaker kit - just the ticket for serious club racing.

The test X-332 also had something called a Prestige package. This includes a Facnor furling kit for the headsail, teak in the cockpit, Autohelm bi-data, niceties such as handrails in the saloon, and two-speed primary and secondary winches which were yet to be added.

COCKPIT COMFORTS Despite its European heritage, the X-332 has a wonderfully commodious cockpit. You can easily pack a crew of six aboard, with plenty of comfortable places to park yourself around the moulded cockpit and to at least amidships where the cabin top is rounded.

There is a prodigious amount of storage in the cockpit, with dedicated holds for a gas-bottle and a huge lazarette for the inflatable dinghy and outboard motor in case you plan on cruising to a quiet anchorage somewhere.

Other details include a folding swim ladder, handrails around the cabin tops, nice solid pushpits, high lifelines and plenty of useful mounting space for wind gauges and compass.

Tiller steering is standard, but the handy freshwater deck shower and removable cockpit table are options worth considering.

While the companionway is oversized and a snap to move through when underway, the interior on this 33-footer is bigger again.

The X-332 is built to entertain a couple in absolute comfort, can carry a family of four easily, but will also sleep six aboard.

To its credit, X-Yachts hasn't crammed too much inside but has focused instead on creating big, open, useable spaces. Down the mahogany steps, the first sizeable room is the head tucked back under the cockpit on the starboard side.

The head is comfortable with lots of leg room around the loo, a handy wash basin and storage cabinet for personals, and smart fittings including a hand-held hot shower that runs off the Yanmar saildrive.

On the flip-side is the main cabin with a big double berth running back under the cockpit. It's ideal for owners, offering shoulder room to dress and plenty of fresh air and room.

Storage space includes holds under the berth and a hanging locker and shelves. The atmosphere in the cabin is pleasant, too, created by a blue-patterned fabric, moulded-white headliner, polished mahogany floor and oval cabin door.

CHEF TO BE Danish craftsmanship is obvious in the portside galley, with neat drawers and cupboards built around a gimballed two-burner stove/oven and ample dedicated pantry space for spices and rice.

Instead of going overboard with bench space, a stylish wood-laminated arm juts out a sensible distance into the saloon. It holds twin stainless sinks big enough to store plates and twin cutting boards. The fridge - which is the icebox fitted with an optional compressor - is alongside.

Opposite is a small but useful navigation station with room to stretch half a chart on a table, a halogen mapping light, a padded stool and an overhead facia with the boat's fuse and control panel. There is room remaining for flush-mounting the marine radio and GPS mainframe.

Amidships, the X-332 is even more inviting. In fact, the boat urges you to sit down on one of its lounges. This is, of course, the widest part of the boat. Coupled with full headroom, it is here more than anywhere else that you get the impression that you're in a much bigger yacht.

Settees flank the fold-down dinette off the mast base, which doesn't get in the way when you are moving fore and aft. For sleeping in a seaway, the backrests of the settees can be turned into pullman berths.

Finally, there is a vee berth in the bow with twin hanging lockers and handy storage space.

Light penetration is also good below, thanks to the hatches and portholes. Overhead, halogen lights warm the lacquered mahogany to create the perfect mood for dinners aboard.

ROUND THE CANS But sunny autumn days aren't best spent below. With just a few minutes till the start gun, we were poised to perform an opening reach along Middle Harbour, with just 8-10kt of mild sea breeze to carry us around the track.

For the next two hours, we worked the little puffs of pressure and rode everything including a car-ferry's wake. Along the way, the X-332 proved responsive, with good pointing ability.

We were doing a comfortable 5.5kt upwind, and with the headsail poled out, we maintained about 4kt before the wind.

Over the 10.40nm course, flying a No. 2 genoa, we average 4.77kt and came home ahead of many of the great club racers such as Adams 10s, Northshore 38s, and an 11m one design, a Farr 1220, Farr MRX, plus Jays 24 and 44.

I had the helm for a very brief while and can only say it felt balanced in the light airs. While the X-332 is easily driven, it also responds to some fine tuning. For this, Stuart Loft and canny crewman Paul Lyon, deserve the credit.

The X-332 may be just 33ft long, but it seems much bigger. Coupled with the nimbleness and ease of handling that's always made the 30-footers popular, the boat seems destined to take a few berths from other yachts in Sydney.

In the eyes of the importers, North South Yachting, the X-Yacht range was introduced to complement its already popular Bavaria yachts. Compared with them, the X factor translates to better performance and a higher standard of interior decorating.

Of course, as part of the Viking world, Denmark has always had links to the sea. It's just that it's taken more than 1000 years for one of its, shall we say, more friendly boats to sail to the Antipodes. It's been worth the wait.

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• Sailboat Guide

X-332 is a 33 ′ 0 ″ / 10.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Niels Jeppesen and built by X-Yachts between 1994 and 2005.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

An X-332 SPORT model was also available.

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The cruiser racer, X-332, is well represented at most regattas with its own start line at Cowes, Cork as well as the regular mid Solent and east coast events. The annual National and regional championships attract hot competition. The X-332 has a maximum racing crew of nine or eight during specific regattas and carries a conventional spinnaker. The comfortable interior and easy handling also makes her a good cruising boat. Author: David Quarrell

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J 109 vs X 332

• Thread starter youen
• Start date 31 Oct 2008
• 31 Oct 2008

Hi What do you think of these boats,which one is the best built and the most suitable for cruising with a couple on board.What do youthink also about a Dehler 34 from 2002 Thanks Youen  

Active member

Apart from the fact that there is a growing book of 'J109 skippers do the funniest things' storries and the fact that they are rapidly becoming the BMW of the Solent, the storage aboard is woeful. I'd go for the X every time and there are far more options available with the X as well, but bare in mind I have never sailed either but watched both disapear over the horizon!  

I thought very seriously about buying an X-332 as a dual-purpose racing & cruising boat. I didn't in the end for other reasons but I'm still a great fan. I chartered a couple, the one in better condition being from Hamble Point Yacht Charters. We were beating in the channel in F7 (in cruising mode) and I didn't feel uncomfortable. You do of course need to understand sail trim pretty well to manage a boat like that but if you're from a reasonable racing background it should be a doddle. I crossed the J109 off my list at an earlier stage. That was not because I thought it wasn't a good cruiser racer. I'd say it looked as though it was more suitable for a less experienced cruising crew. It was just the price seemed unreasonably high. Someone said to me that you're buying into the ethos of the one design class and my thoughts were that I've got better things to spend my hard-earned money on. I looked at the Dehler 34 too. I just felt it was less likely to be a successful racer, but that of course was just my opinion. I think all three are available to charter from various companies around the Solent area so you could try chartering one of each in turn.  

Well-known member

I know the owners of a J109, and they have asked to come cruising woith us next year on our SO35. There is not much headroom in the J109 and it is not a 'luxurious' fit out. I have another friend with an X99 who has also found cruising not appealing as he has to move all the sailbags to get comfortable each night. A Dehler 34 is a better Cruiser, with a bit of racing thrown in. I used to race a Dehler DB1/2 which is the hull base for the cruisers.  

Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor

Have you looked at the new X34 or the Finngulf 33? Or for something a bit more used how about the Elan 333? For cruising I would go with the X34 or finngulf 33 if my budget would stretch, or if not I would include the Elan on the list, but like others have said the J is just too racy for me.... and not cheap..  

I'd echo the comments on the Elan, it's a very good boat and a bit of a poisoned chalice for Elan, as its replacement, the 340, is hardly taking the race course by storm whilst 333s continue to win races. Indeed a 333 won its class at the windy IRC nationals in 2007. And that very 333 is currently for sale. Given you are looking at 109s, it's possible that your budget might stretch to an Elan 37, which is also a very fine boat, if one that takes a little getting used to. Last I heard the old Quokka is still for sale, and at a very reasonable price. If competitive racing is your thing it's getting harder and harder to argue with the number of J109s in the solent. And despite the "J109 owners do the funniest things" comments, which do have some merit, the standard at the sharp end of the fleet is very high, as the results of 109 sailors outside of the class bear out. Unless you did a little sailing in China this summer you're not going to step into the class and win straight away. As a cruiser though..... It's a little bit on the spartan side. The X will be just as capable of winning races on IRC, but lacks the regular large one design fleet and numbers are dwindling at the national champs. I think it's fair to say that X have never built a slow boat though. Also worth mentioning is that the X332 and the J109 have very different IRC ratings, an X332 typically about 0.980 and a 109 up around 1.030 in OD trim. so when racing outside the one design stuff it might be worth checking the state of the fleets. The X34 (admitedly in the hands of an X works team) is currently winning its class in the Hamble winter series, although we're keeping them honest! And if you were judging on looks alone you'd probably buy two, it is gorgeous. (except when spending all day looking at it's bloody stern!) The older Dehlers, if money will stretch the 36 is the one to have. Much more competitive than the 34 on IRC, since it was not a reworked IOR hull, but a new design, and also giving us a hard time in the winter series. Last time I was down at Hamble point there was one on the hard that had been there for a while, I think it was the ex works team boat - might be worth a cheeky offer? As a fast cruiser though the 34 is a fine boat. Also worth a look might be the Dufour 34, whilst it has never really done much on the race course it is an excellent long legged fast cruiser, with more accomodation than either the 109 or the X332. I sailed the Comet 33 recently, and I'd add that to the list, although I (at 6'3") found the interior lacking in headroom. It was an absolute joy to sail however.  

Sorry, got carried away with racing talk, just noticed you were more interested in cruising suitability. In that case I wouldn't buy either the X or the J, both of which have a reputation for good build quality btw, without sailing the Comet 33, Elan 333 and Dufour 34. And for me it would come down to a choice between the X and the Dufour 34 or the Elan 333, buy any of those as a fast cruiser for a couple and I think you'd be happy. If I was under 6 foot tall I'd add the Comet 33 to that list.  

Hi Thank you for your help Have you heard anything about the building of the Dufour or Elan.The problem is I am looking for a fast performance cruiser easy to sail with 2 persons on board,between 33 and 36 feet The must be nice,seaworthy,well built my previous boat was a Swan 41.The budget maxi is around 130 000 EurosI want a category A CEE boat as I sail from South Brittany to Spain and I think Elan 333 is cat B Many thanks for your help Youen  

Dear Flaming Can you tell me of which Dehler 34 and 36 you are speaking?How old are the design and who are the designer. Thanks Youen  

[ QUOTE ] I think Elan 333 is cat B [/ QUOTE ] Its a Cat A boat, even their 31 is a Cat A..... Interior Build of a 333 is up to the best AWB standards, but not a swan! The dufour is a really nice boat, very well balanced, one did the ARC last year..... If you can run to 130k euros then you are getting into the Comet and Finngulf territory, I would highly recomend the Finngulf 33, and you really need to look at one carefully, It would be number one on my list if I had the money, is up to the Scandinavian build quality, is not too radical and would I think make a great offshore cruiser. Have fun!  

I don't know if the 333 is cat B, can only be a minor thing keeping it out of cat A, I would hapily take one offshore and I know people who have done fastnet campaigns in the boat. I've just realised I've mixed up my Dehler 34s! A 34 from 2002 will be the later one, and of the same sort of hull shape as the 36. Examples of both 34s can be seen here . Can't really help on the construction specifics, other than to say that I've been offshore in Elans and Dufours regularly in the last few years, and I have no issue with either.  

Here is a review of the Finngulf 33.... 33 review..  

We travelled the length of the Wallet with a Finngulf 33. A beautiful boat indeed, ferom any angle, and sailed extremely well.  

"We travelled the length of the Wallet ..." that wouldn't be very far ... erm ... even if i could get mine open did see a family with 2 quite young kids in St Malo last year who were on a J109 and they seemed happy enough. I mention this simply because having bairns of that age on board can be a bit of a trial.  

Not that I am biased in any whatsoever, but the Elan sounds like a mighty fine option to me...... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Having now bought one we're still meeting people who have sailed one/owned one/chartered one and there seems to be pretty much universal praise. The interiors are definitely no Swan, but equally seem a bit above the norm for AWBs. Fine for shorthanded sailing, just reef early.  

I've never sailed a 333 but they've sailed past me in the not to distant past... and I was on a Swan 53 at the time. A lot of the corps boats are 333s and the guys love them. The accomodation is far better than the J and I should think that the change will allow you to spec to your own tastes. On the other hand, at least with a 109 you'll always know how much of it is you and how much is the handicapper.  

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Review of X-332

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with an inboard Yanmar diesel engine at 18.0 hp (13 kW), which gives a max speed about 5.5 knots.

The transmission is a saildrive.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 50 liters (13 US gallons, 10 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for X-332 is 2.03, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.2 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for X-332 is about 193 kg/cm, alternatively 1082 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 193 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1082 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

Maintenance

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for X-332 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

X-35 review: from the archive

• Matthew Sheahan
• May 3, 2021

X-Yachts' X-35 follows the hugely successful X-99, which has been a firm favourite of cruiser racers for years. But does it live up to its younger sisters reputation?

She has more gears upwind than you'll know what to do with at first. Credit: X-Yachts Credit: X-Yachts

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

When it comes to serious numbers in one ­design yachts, the X-99 rates as one of the most successful designs of modern times, with 600 built since 1985. But after 21 years, the company that created one of the few big-boat classes to have ISAF status has launched its replacement, the X-Yachts X-35.

Given the huge success of the X-99, it’s clear X-Yachts have set themselves a very high target if they are to get anywhere near repeating this success.

But while no specific numbers have been issued on what X-­Yachts expect of this class in years to come, it’s clear they are planning to use a similar technique to kick-start the class.

More than a year ago and with little more than a few drawings to go by, 42 boats were sold in the first month of 2005.

Plans for the launch of the new model involved a distribution strategy to ensure that fleets stood the best chance of sowing the seeds from which future local classes would grow.

After a long wait and much talk, the first few boats are now in the water and the class is close to taking off.

X-Yachts have attempted to recapture their former success.

Partly through computer graphics being what they are and partly for reasons of cosmetic modesty, the X-­Yachts X-35 isn’t much of a surprise when you first see her.

In fact, she doesn’t stand out at all at the dock – at best she looks typical of a modern X-Yacht.

She has a simple open cockpit, a large wheel and a pair of cockpit seats flanked by shallow coamings. However, she offers a great detail in terms of her control line layout and setup.

She has more gears upwind than you’ll know what to do with at first.

Closer inspection reveals that, although she doesn’t have a large overlapping headsail and therefore a second set of tracks, she lacks few of the controls of a Beneteau First 34, they’re just incorporated more discreetly. The mainsheet is a good example.

You may not think it is necessary to have a ‘German’ mainsheet system (where the mainsheet is led back along the side decks to a pair of winches fitted on either side of the cockpit) on a boat of just 35ft. I certainly didn’t.

But having just a 2:1 purchase in the mainsheet system keeps the amount of rope in the system to a minimum and helps keep the cockpit clutter-free. The system also means a fine tune is not required, reducing the clutter even further.

On top of this, the mast man can bounce the sheet at its forward end at leeward mark roundings to help rapid sheeting of the mainsail.

Having started out wishing for a more conventional system of blocks and tackles for the mainsheet, when I tried it aboard the Beneteau I didn’t like it.

Under way she has a solid, dependable, chunky feel to her helm.

The layout of control lines on the top of the coach roof is another example. Here, jammers are staggered lengthwise to make il easier for more crew to reach them from the weather rail.

Such attention to detail suggests that the X will be an easier boat to handle under pressure than the Beneteau.

But elsewhere are clues that this has been at the expense of some practical issues. The lack of an anchor locker won’t trouble many racing sailors – some may see it as an advantage – but the lack of any cockpit lockers could become a nuisance.

‘Small’ interior

Such details on deck turn out to be clues to an accommodation layout that is lacking in several areas once you step below decks and first impressions are of a small interior.

Overall the layout is a simple one, with galley to port, nav station to starboard and a pair of simple settee berths either side of a fixed saloon table.

However, the X-35 has a forward double cabin, which although roomy enough to be used, will no doubt be a waste of space for racing owners.

The navigation station is fairly cramped.

Having said that, one of the reasons for incorporating such a cabin is to enhance the boat’s value later in life when the heat of the racing scene may have eased.

The same reason for the liberal use of teak in the interior instead of wipe-clean mouldings as was the norm in the IMX-38 and fair enough.

What I found less easy to understand was why the lifting backs to the saloon seating hadn’t been set up to provide an upper berth.

The X-35’s weakest point is below deck.

With full-width chainplates and no lockers or shelves (although these are an option), there are no obstructions to what would make a decent-sized berth to weather. Or, at the very least, a good and secure place to stow gear and kit bags.

Moving aft, the galley is small and awkward to use, the access to the after­berths restricted. And the top of the engine box has a curved surface and to my mind misses an opportunity to provide handy stowage for winch handles, blocks etc, just where you can get at them.

The lack of stowage is an issue throughout this boat apart from the cavernous space under the forward bunk, which clearly wouldn’t get used in racing trim.

On the starboard side, the outboard­ facing chart table is large and conveniently shares worktop space with the fridge to provide shy navigators with even less reason to come on deck. Overall, I was disappointed with the layout of this boat below decks.

Yet I also have to admit that for all my criticisms and given her primary objective, the accommodation would still not count for much in my own final analysis.

The X-­Yachts X-35 has a sandwich-construction hull and deck, using a combination of biaxial E-Glass and a vinylester resin. Throughout, she is built to the same high standards as the rest of the fleet.

With X-Yachts’ trademark galvanised steel gridwork providing the primary load ­carrying structure in the bottom of the boat, suggesting she’ll be every bit as robust as her sisterships. Whatever the other criticisms, longevity still counts for a lot.

Subtle under sail

If chalk and cheese describe the differences between the X-Yachts X-35 and the Beneteau First 34.7, the expression will also suit the match between the disappointment of the X’s interior with the way she behaves under sail.

I’ve yet to test an X-Yacht that doesn’t feel good on the wheel and the X-35 is no exception. She’s finger-light, even when pressed, she’s sensitive, responsive and has more gears upwind than you’ll know what to do with at first.

She might be plain on the outside but she’s anything but when it comes to sailing her.

Although she’s a doddle to handle in the broad sense, it takes no time at all to realise that she’ll be a very tricky boat to sail well.

The conventional spinnaker will appeal to more conservative sailors.

To get the best out of her you’ll need patience, total concentration, a magic marker, plenty of tape and a waterproof notebook and pen.

So subtle is the feedback through the wheel that you’ll need to mark and jot down key settings and numbers to build a picture of what makes her tick.

In my opinion, this is just what you need for a good one-design class where performance benefits and top results are achieved through the hard work of crews rather than some technical advantage.

She feels quite a tender boat too (much like the X-99), a fact borne out by her higher sail area:displacement ratio when compared to the Beneteau.

The X-35 might be plain on the outside, but when it comes to sailing her, she’s anything but.

In just 10 knots of wind and clocking 6.8 knots in flat water she feels fully powered upwind – anymore and you’re dropping the mainsheet traveller down the track.

But while she might feel slightly tender, she remains under control on the helm.

The seating positions for helmsman and crew works well for all. And the control line layout works as well as it looks both upwind and down to make this a very nimble boat around the corners of the racecourse.

In addition, what impressed me was the attention to detail. Such as the rings in the guardwires through which the traveller lines run to keep them to hand.

Or a shockcord retrieval system to pull the spinnaker guy in towards the foredeck to make end-for-end gybing that bit easier for the foredeck crew.

Details like these come as standard. Impressive stuff and a good indication of where the heart of this boat really lies -racing.

The X-­Yachts X-35 may have been designed with one-design racing as the main focus but, depending on how her IRC handicap shapes up she could prove to be a highly competent racer in the handicap scene as well. Something the X-99 never quite achieved on an international scale.

But if all this talk of racing is a little too hot, bear in mind that current X-332 owners are among the new boat’s target market.

Which should provide a rich source of secondhand 332s on the market, albeit with a ‘frequently raced and rallied label’.

First published in the May 2006 issue of YW.

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X-YACHTS XP 33 REVIEW

The X-Yachts Xp 33 racing yacht is a strongly-made, quality-finished performance yacht with an unquestioned emphasis on racing

The X-Yachts Xp 33 racing yacht is a strongly-made, quality-finished performance yacht with an unquestioned emphasis on racing. The deck layout and sailplan allow it to be sailed by small or large crews. However, it should also make a handy weekend family cruising yacht.

X-YACHTS RACING

In recent years, the X-Yachts lineup of racing yachts has separated into three different groups: the Xc cruiser/racers; Xp racer/cruisers and Xr racers. Still to come is the delicious X6 superboat that’s due for release next year.

The Xp 33 was conceived unashamedly as a fixed-keel sportsboat that could perform well in Europe’s shorthanded racing regattas, as well as in crewed IRC/ORC competition. In lineage terms its deck and interior layout has more in common with the X35 racer than the superseded X34 cruiser/racer.

It would seem that X-Yachts reckons the yacht racing / cruising market is moving up the waterline length scale and that a 33-footer should now have more pace.

The pace was penned in by designer Niels Jeppeson and validated by velocity prediction programs. The hull-shape target was optimised for all-round performance, not just brilliant off-the-wind speed, in wind speeds of five to 20kts.

Low freeboard, narrow waterlines, a high ballast ratio and a broad stern to increase waterline length when heeled are intended to produce good upwind speed even in light breezes.

Less freeboard means that the Xp33’s coach house is relatively tall to provide headroom in the cabin. With the boat’s very narrow sheeting angles the coach house height dictates a high, rather than deck-hugging jib clew and on the test boat the jib had a roached foot, to increase sail area.

Interestingly, there’s a fair amount of rocker in the hull profile – particularly aft – and the saildrive leg is positioned 2/3 forward in the keel-rudder space, where its turbulence should have minimal effect on the blade.

The Xp 33 has an iron keel with a lead T-bulb and both are layered with vacuum-infused epoxy E-glass for a smooth finish.

Weight reduction involved replacement of the X-Yachts’ trademark galvanised steel sub-frame by a much lighter but similarly rigid carbon/FRP lattice to absorb keel, mast and rigging loads. Foam/FRP laminate is used for hull and deck but solid laminate is used in these high-stress areas.

The Xp 33 weighs nearly one tonne less than the X-34 and while that doesn’t make it the lightest yacht in this class, there are strength compromises X-Yachts engineers won’t make.

Another distinguishing mark of the Xp 33 is a telescopic carbon fibre bowsprit that allows easy spinnaker handling in shorthanded racing. The pole’s home is a sleeve in the vee-berth cabin and it’s launched by line-pull from the cockpit. The Xp 33 can fly a racing asymmetric spinnaker or a cruising one.

For windward-leeward crewed racing a symmetrical kite with pole can be specified. Simple end-for-end gybing is standard.

STANDARD RIG

The standard rig is 9/10 with keel-stepped aluminium mast, aluminium boom, rod vang, twin sweptback spreaders and discontinuous rod rigging. Carbon spars are optional. There’s also a choice of a low-profile, above-deck jib furler or a twin-track, foil headstay. A tackle-adjustable Dyneema backstay is standard and all halyards are Dyneema. 

Mainsheet control is by tackle, with a 6:1 main purchase and fine tune, while the fore-aft jib car sheeting angle can be narrowed by barber-haulers.

X-Yachts’ steering preference for this boat was always a tiller, in the interests of simplicity and weight saving, but that posed some cockpit layout difficulties if a desirable forward-mounted single rudder was used, rather than accepting the additional drag of twin blades. The solution was simple: move the tiller aft to allow more crew space in the cockpit; position the rudder optimally under the cockpit and connect the tiller post to the rudder shaft by a drag link.

PERFORMANCE

We’ve been trying for some time to sync a test of the Xp 33 and it finally happened on a day that was forecast to have mainly light breezes and the odd shower. Seabreeze was correct and we were lucky enough to find a few squalls that helped give us a test wind range between five and 15kts.

We left Gladesville Bridge Marina, in one of the several arms of Sydney Harbour, without drama and I found the tiller response direct and without vice under power, going forward or in reverse. A very wide cockpit and aft-set tiller and engine controls made it easy for the helmsperson to handle port and starboard aft dock lines.

The Quantum jib and main went up quickly and the boat responded instantly, accelerating rapidly. During a 10-knot puff I saw high sixes on the GPS when close hauled and with sheets eased a tad the speed went to 7.5kts.

Tacking and gybing were easy enough, once I adjusted to the 3.2m beam that dictated a few large steps across the cockpit! A narrow coach house allowed tight jib sheeting angles that could be enhanced by easily-used barber haulers.

The varying wind was handy for checking out the boat’s response in different strengths and it also highlighted just how stiff this Xp 33 is. We were humming along in a five-knot airstream and copped a 15-knot squall: the boat heeled initially and then settled on its fat, chined bum and picked up speed.

Crew weight on the rail is always handy in this class of boat and we found that the dart shape of the Xp 33 encouraged crew hiking farther aft, to avoid a nose-down attitude. Fortunately there’s ample deck space to allow this positioning, because the helmsperson and mainsheet trimmer sit right aft.

I thought initially that the cockpit sole foot chocks were a tad on the small side and I was also concerned that the shallow-height coamings for the steerer and main trimmer might not be adequate to stop them sliding into the cockpit, but the boat didn’t heel enough for that to be an issue. Even with an over-trimmed main during one squall the boat just leaned and then sat there. Very reassuring.

The main was set up with a 6:1 coarse purchase and a fine tune, and I felt that more coarse purchase would ease the main trimmer’s work load; there seemed to be enough mainsheet length to feed through 8:1 blocks. Backstay adjustment via a 16:1 cascade block arrangement was quite easy.

The test boat was fitted with the largest asymmetric allowed by the sailplan. At a well-fed 109m² it was close to double the combined area of the main and 106 per cent genoa! Because this kite was large enough to fill even when part-blanketed by the main it could be carried squarer than many asos.

Getting it up was simple: line-launch the bowsprit out of its sleeve; attach the tack, halyard and sheets and away the boat goes. And it did go: 9.4kts in average breeze and I was too busy to check out the GPS when we were overpowered by one squall, but the acceleration was instant and the helm still felt quite balanced.

THE VERDICT

Despite the showery weather, I had a ball playing with the Xp 33 and I think it’s a model that’s destined for success. Even with an over-trimmed main during one squall the boat just leaned and then sat there. Very reassuring.

• Quality build
• Flexibility of racing vocations
• Stiff, drama-free performance
• Huge working cockpit
• Mainsheet effort

X-YACHTS XP 33 SPECIFICATIONS

Price as tested.

$272,455 (inc. GST)

OPTIONS FITTED 

Quantum carbon racing sails (main, code 4 and code 2 jibs), asymmetric spinnaker and spinnaker gear, teak-faced cockpit seats, vee-berth furniture and bunks, front-opening fridge, upgraded ENO stove with oven, shorepower, galvanic isolation and boom cover

PRICED FROM

$240,000 (inc. GST)

MATERIAL Vacuum-infused vinylester hull with E-glass and carbon reinforcement, cored with Airex; solid laminate in high-stress areas; foam- cored deck

TYPE Monohull

LENGTH 9.99m overall; 8.86m waterline

WEIGHT 4300kg

BALLAST 1700kg (iron/lead keel)

BERTHS 3 doubles, 2 singles (settee berths)

WATER 110lt

MAINSAIL 33.8m2

HEADSAIL 28.3m2 

SPINNAKER 93m2 (cruising asymmetric); 96m2 (cruising symmetric); 109m2 (racing asymmetric)

MAKE Yanmar 

TYPE Diesel saildrive

RATED HP 20

PROP Two-blade folding prop

SUPPLIED BY

X-YACHTS AUSTRALIA

64A The Quayside,

Roseby Street,

Birkenhead Point,

Drummoyne, NSW, 2047

Phone +61 2 9719 9411

Web x-yachts.net.au

X Yacht X-332

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Accommodation

Finance calculator.

• Make X Yacht
• Model X-332
• LOA 33ft/10m
• Class Cruiser Racer
• Hull Glass Reinforced Plastic
• Keel Fin Keel
• Engine Single Diesel
• Drive Sail Drive
• Layout Aft Cockpit
• Aft Cabins 1
• Ancasta Ref 42865
• Name Axeman

Ancasta are acting as brokers for the vendor who is not selling in the course of business unless otherwise stated. These details are prepared from information provided by the vendor and are intended only as a guide to give a fair description of the vessel but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed and they do not constitute part of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check the particulars and to have the vessel fully surveyed by a qualified marine surveyor. Details are supplied on the understanding that all negotiations shall be through Ancasta brokerages. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice. Please Note: where the vessel’s status shows as “Preliminary”, details of the vessel have not yet been confirmed by the Vendor.

Enjoy a 10% discount

with Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics  on new standing and running rigging when you buy a used yacht through the Ancasta Brokerage network. Also, contact Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics about their discounts on mooring and anchoring system for motoryachts purchased via Ancasta.

Call: +44 02380 454 280 Email: [email protected] *quote: “Ancasta Brokerage offer”

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For further information or to arrange a viewing appointment please don't hesitate to contact our Ancasta Dartmouth Office

• Call: +44 (0)1803 752 498
• Location: Dartmouth
• Listing Office: Dartmouth

Broker Comments

The X-332 is comfortable, competitive sea going yacht that can work well with either a full crew or short-handed. All mainsail and back stay controls are within easy reach of the helm, the owner has added a second chartplotter that can be mounted on deck when required making navigation under sail easy. There is ample room for crew below decks with comfortable berths allowing up to 8 to sleep onboard. He has selected a useful array of sails for racing and has additional cruising sails kept off the boat. A popular, well proportioned cruiser racer that can still hold it's own in handicap racing fleets.

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Privacy Overview

Yacht Summary

• Manufacturer: X-Yachts
• Model: X-332
• Build Year: 2003
• Lying: Brittany, France
• Price: Sold
• Dealer: X-Yachts France
• Contact: Jean-Luc Chalant
• Phone: +33 (0) 494 45 37 33
• Email: [email protected]

Famous bet seller from X-Yachts !   Racing package including carbon mast, NKE electronic and racing sails.

Standard Specification

Standard X-332 brochure

Exterior Details

• Wgite hull and blue stripes
• White non skid gelcoat on the deck

Sail Handling

• 4 x Winches LEWMAR ST 40
• Ronstan Fredricksen Deck hardware
• 2 x main 2015 and 2020
• 5 x spinnaker

Mast & Rigging

• Carbon mast 2017
• Dyform stanfding rigging 2012 checked 2017
• New halyards 2015 2019
• carbon spinnaker pool
• Carbon gennaker pool
• YANMAR 2GM20 Sail drive
• 2 blades folding propeller 2008
• Gaz cooking
• Fresh water pressure
• 2 services batteries
• 220 V + battery charger

Electronics

• 3 x display
• NKE autopilot with hydraulic L&S tiller
• IRIDIUM Go 2021
• Safety equipment with liferat 8pl, EPIRB

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