Design and Construction
X-Yachts built the X-302 in Denmark as a fiberglass monohull with a solid layup and a fin keel carrying a bulb, the hull drawn by Niels Jeppesen in the mid-nineties. The boat's numbers tell the performance story: at 7,929 pounds displacement with 3,303 pounds of iron ballast, the 42% ballast ratio sits higher than 58% of comparable designs, and the displacement-length ratio of 192 places her among moderate racers rather than out-and-out lead-mines. Her length-to-beam ratio of 3.03 and beam of 9.8 feet give her a roomier footprint than 58% of similar sailboats, while a capsize screening value of 1.97 and a motion comfort ratio of 21.1 — more comfortable than 38% of peers — frame a stiff, weatherly hull rather than a soft cruiser. The wetted surface of 29 m2 and an immersion rate near 906 pounds per inch describe a hull that responds quickly to trim without wallowing.
Rig and Handling
The X-302 is a fractional sloop, and unlike the X-312 she carries no running backstays, a simplification that eases short-handed sailing. Period reviews describe her as very powerful and stiff under sail, and test sailors found her easily manageable and maneuverable in all weather the X-302 is easily manageable and maneuverable in all weather conditions. She proved her racing intent at events such as the Spi Ouest France. Under power, the theoretical displacement hull speed is 6.9 knots and the calculated maximum under engine is about 4.1 knots, figures consistent with a light, efficient cruiser-racer rather than a motorsailer.
Accommodations
Below, the X-302 follows a classic layout: an aft cabin, a head at the foot of the companionway, a chart table and galley forward of the saloon, and a forward double cabin. The finishes are perfect and the atmosphere very warm, yet the lack of wood paneling makes upkeep simpler than in many mahogany-trimmed contemporaries. Interior volume, however, is honest rather than generous — about what an 8.5-meter boat of the same generation would offer — so buyers should not expect the spatial stretch of a dedicated cruiser.
Engine and Equipment Options
The X-302 was offered with two engine choices, 9 or 20 horsepower, and the larger unit is essential for cruising rather than merely racing. With 13.2 gallons of diesel and 31.7 gallons of water, the boat is provisioned for coastal passages rather than long independent voyaging.
The Verdict
The X-302 is a Jeppesen-designed cruiser-racer that trades the X-312's running backstays for a simpler, more approachable rig while keeping a stiff, powerful sail plan and a warm, low-maintenance interior. She is a sailor's boat — quick, weatherly, and reduced-crew friendly — but her volume is modest and her cruising tankage light.
Pros
- Stiff, powerful fractional-sloop rig with no running backstays for easier handling
- High ballast ratio and moderate-racer DL index give weatherly, responsive performance
- Warm interior with perfect finishes and no wood paneling to maintain
- 20 hp engine option makes cruising practical
Cons
- Interior volume comparable only to a smaller 8.5-meter boat of the era
- Light fuel and water capacity limit passagemaking range
- Fewer than 200 built, so finding a specific example takes patience
