Design and Construction
The IMX 45 hull is a vinylester resin sandwich built with biaxial and unidirectional E-glass around a Divinycell foam core, the core vacuum-bagged to the outer skin for a conservative, well-proven structure. X-Yachts’ signature is a massive longitudinal and transverse hot-dipped galvanized steel load-bearing frame, here forming an H-frame assembly glassed into the hull that ties keel, hull, and mast together and incorporates chainplate attachments, mast step, and keel bearing flange. So secure is this backbone that it anchors a single lifting point; the entire 20,000-pound yacht can be hoisted by a polyester strap led through a cabintop hatch. Around the H-frame and rudder stock the laminate turns solid glass, and the keel and rudder are faired to original templates as race foils. The keel top is cast iron fully encapsulated in fiberglass, the bottom lead sealed, and the keel/hull joint is recessed, glassed, and faired. A solid aluminum rudder stock carries three tabs laminated into one half of the two-piece fiberglass-Divinycell blade.
Above the waterline, the deck hardware is mounted from above into steel plates with tapped screwholes, eliminating the need to reach nuts below, while molded-in nonskid and three trademark stripes sit in the topsides. The overhead is a solid fiberglass sheet, and glued-down teak decks are an option; the first two U.S. imports carried laid teak only on the cockpit sole and seats. A recessed foredeck well can house a windlass and cruising ground tackle, and a large cockpit sole locker with a gasketed, watertight lid will hold a liferaft. Toe rails exist only on the foredeck, a choice that lets a hard-hiking crew sit the rail but leaves anything dropped aft of the mast free to roll.
Rig and Handling
The IMX 45 carries a 15/16ths triple-spreader carbon mast by Nordic Mast with extremely narrow, slightly swept spreaders that remove the need for running backstays or checkstays. Pre-load comes from a removable hydraulic mast jack, while the vang and backstay are mechanical—the backstay wound by a large belowdecks carbon drum, or on some boats a Frederiksen Power Ratio Magic Wheel giving the trimmer up to 100:1 purchase. Discontinuous rod shrouds, Spectra running rigging, and partially stripped halyards keep weight low. Six Harken winches line the cockpit, and control lines run via the coachroof top to the pit.
On the water the boat is fairly tender, a trait shared with most IMS racers and partly a result of that narrow beam waterline, which also permits effective roll-tacking in light air—unusual on a 45-footer. Upwind in 12 knots true she targets 7 knots at 40 degrees true wind angle; downwind about 7.6. In stronger breeze she sustains off-wind planing well beyond displacement speed. Test sailors found her steering at speed very light and responsive through the large carbon wheel, though the short chord of keel and rudder means little lift until speed builds, and the fine entry bow can be pushed around. A skilled main trimmer constantly working traveler, mainsheet, and backstay is needed to realize her potential. For cruising she can be depowered with a smaller main and a self-tacking roller headsail on a removable track. Under a 55-horse Volvo Saildrive she makes just under 7 knots, with a folding prop to cut drag under sail.
Accommodations
Below, the IMX 45 is fitted with teak-faced ply bulkheads and joiner work, though the cabin sole only mimics teak-and-holly in durable plastic. The standard layout has two matched quarter cabins aft and a tapered V-berth forepeak with a head to starboard; optionally the port aft cabin becomes a head and huge cockpit locker. The saloon offers long settees and a drop-leaf table, while the main cabin places the nav station to port—far enough from the companionway to stay dry, with a drop-down laptop panel—and a J-shaped galley to starboard. That galley holds double round sinks, a gimbaled two-burner propane stove with oven, and a seven-cubic-foot Isotherm refrigerator; the fridge lacks any shelving, a real shortfall for provisioning. A single 10-pound propane bottle sits in a dedicated starboard cockpit locker. The first U.S. boat added removable pipe berths above the settees for offshore racing, and the three-cabin version gives each aft cabin a double and a pipe berth.
Known Issues
The refrigerator’s absence of internal subdivision is the most noted accommodation flaw. Mechanically, routine engine service requires lifting the companionway stairs—and on the two-cabin version, access panels in the aft cabins as well. The engine control panel on the pedestal carries only a tach and relies on alarms, giving no instrumentation for normal readings. A molded pan catches fluid leaks and the compartment is well insulated behind perforated aluminum, but the service access remains a chore.
The Verdict
The IMX 45 is a focused IMS racer that doubles as a capable performance cruiser through bolt-on comforts. Its integrated steel backbone and faired race foils reflect a serious competition pedigree, while the narrow waterline and responsive helm reward skilled sailing. Owners trade some practicality—fridge organization, engine access, bare engine panel—for a boat that planes and points with the best of its era.
Pros
- Integrated galvanized steel H-frame enables single-point lifting and unifies keel-mast-hull loads
- Narrow beam waterline allows light-air roll-tacking and reduces wetted surface
- Carbon rig with swept spreaders needs no running backstays; powerful belowdecks backstay control
- Transforms from pure racer to cruiser via removable options and self-tacking headsail setup
Cons
- Fairly tender and fine bow can be pushed around without skilled helm input
- Refrigerator has no shelving or subdivision
- Routine engine service demands removing companionway stairs
- Engine panel offers only a tach, no supporting instrumentation
