Design and Construction
The X2 is a purpose-designed race boat with a well-thought-out, ergonomic deck layout. A short crew can move efficiently without wasting effort.
Below deck, the designers used the available space to create a comfortable but light fit-out. The interior favors usability and low weight over cruising luxury, reinforcing the power-to-weight advantage that defines the boat.
The original keel attachment used two A4-80 bolts driven down into the fin. That arrangement did not survive the boat’s early service history unchanged.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The sail plan makes it easy to shorten sail as conditions build—an important trait in an offshore racer expected to handle heavier weather without a full crew on the rail.
Upwind, the X2 is balanced and has a great feel. When heeled, the hull rests on the chine and tracks perfectly. The design was intended to be powered up early so that it would sail to its numbers, and by far the most optimum power-to-weight ratio provides plenty of power in lighter conditions.
The boat’s character changes off the wind. As soon as the sheets are cracked, it springs to life, with the percentage of performance increasing with every degree away from VMG upwind. In some cases, the X2 can easily sail 2 knots faster and deeper than its rivals at any given moment. It can also hold its own against the longer but heavier SunFast 3300.
Accommodations
The interior brief focused on using the boat’s volume to keep the cabin functional and light. This isn’t a voluminous cruiser’s interior, but a racing-oriented space that keeps weight down while still giving the crew a livable place for offshore legs.
The light fit-out supports the X2’s power-to-weight advantage, though it offers less cruising comfort than a more fully appointed interior.
Keel Failure and Redesign
Hull #1 was lost entirely after a keel failure serious enough to destroy the boat. The designers determined that the composite structure had not failed; the problem lay in the attachment itself.
The original fin was secured by a pair of A4-80 bolts set down through the hull into the keel. That arrangement was later abandoned when the keel attachment system was completely redesigned. Two A4-80 studs now extend upward into the boat, where they are secured with A4-80 nuts. A nut-lock system prevents them from unwinding.
Hull #2 in San Francisco was completely retrofitted with the new system. The structural correction was therefore applied to an existing boat as well as to new builds.
Refits and Ownership
Because the keel attachment was re-engineered after the loss of hull #1, anyone considering an early example must establish which system is fitted. Hull #2 received the complete stud-and-nut arrangement, showing that the retrofit path was viable.
The X2 is a fully set-up offshore racing yacht, equipped with only the best gear to ensure the best time on the water. A well-founded example therefore comes with serious hardware already in place.
The Verdict
The Farr X2 is a focused offshore racer that delivers genuine speed without requiring a crowd on deck. Its ergonomic deck and clever, lightweight interior make short-handed sailing plausible. The redesigned keel attachment addressed the structural problem responsible for the loss of hull #1.
Against a heavier contemporary such as the SunFast 3300, the X2 trades length for liveliness and punch.
Pros
- High power-to-weight ratio and strong light-air performance
- Balanced upwind, tracks well on the chine, and quickly springs to life off the wind
- Ergonomic deck layout suited to short-handed offshore sailing
- Keel attachment redesigned and successfully retrofitted after the loss of hull #1
Cons
- Early hulls may retain the failed original bolt-down keel attachment
- Lightweight racing interior limits cruising comfort
- The loss of hull #1 shows that the original keel system was unsafe
