Design and Construction
X-Yachts molds the X-35 hull with fiberglass skins sandwiching a Divinycell foam core to keep the boat light yet stiff and strong anchor, while the outer skin uses vinylester resin for blister resistance and the remainder is polyester. A molded interior grid structure and galvanized-steel keel frame stiffen the shell, and the cast-iron fin is bolted through the hull and frame so the lead ballast bulb’s loads transfer cleanly into the structure. Shroud loads pass directly to the hull and main bulkhead at the rail, eliminating the need for chainplate tie rods, and the turnbuckles seat in clean stainless sockets with no clevis or cotter pins to snag rigging or hands. The 3,748lb ballast against a 9,840lb lightship displacement gives a ballast ratio near 38 percent, and the 7ft 1in draft bulb keel keeps the wetted surface manageable for a 158 displacement-to-LWL ratio.
Rig and Handling
The boat carries a 90-percent fractional rig with swept spreaders and no running backstays; topmast bend and forestay tension are both managed at the topmast backstay control just forward of the traveler. Rod rigging is standard, with D2 shrouds discontinuous at the spreader tips to reduce stretch differential, though adjusting them means a trip aloft. The mast is an IRC-friendly tapered aluminum spar with tapered aluminum spreaders. Jibs trim to tracks outboard of the cabin and run through inhaulers for tight light-air sheeting, while a full-length upper batten gives the jib positive roach that broadens its wind range as the leech twists off. Test sailors found the X-35 accelerated quickly in light air with crisp, frictionless steering, sliding upwind at 5.7 knots on the GPS in just 5 knots of wind anchor. Writing in Sailing World, the testers noted well-placed winches and excellent helm visibility that let the driver concentrate on sails and water ahead. Off the wind she moved well under a light spinnaker and main, and her grand-prix mainsheet with Ronstan’s Magic Wheel gives the trimmer fingertip backstay control; the German mainsheet system leads to twin winches with a 2:1 purchase. Yachting World’s reviewer described finger-light, sensitive steering and more upwind gears than a newcomer can exploit, though she feels quite tender when pressed.
Accommodations
Belowdecks the X-35 presents clean and roomy accommodations for a weekender, with liberal teak throughout. The layout places the galley to port and a starboard nav station, a pair of settee berths either side of a fixed saloon table, and a forward double cabin; eight berths are quoted in total. First impressions in Yachting World were of a small interior, and the same reviewer judged the navigation station fairly cramped and the galley small and awkward to use — a contrast with the otherwise open, versatile plan. The simple open cockpit carries a large wheel and pair of seats flanked by shallow coamings, but the boat lacks both an anchor locker and any cockpit lockers, a notable omission for cruising stowage.
Equipment and Deck Detail
For one-design racing, class rules permit a main, two full-size jibs, a heavy-weather jib, two symmetric spinnakers, and storm sails, and the boat can initially race handicap under IRC (1.055), PHRF (59–63), IMS, or ORR. The symmetric kite drew a “a little retro” comment from Sailing World testers, yet the boat sailed fast and deep, and a shockcord retrieval pulls the spinnaker guy toward the foredeck while rings in the guardwires route the traveler lines. Yachting World noted her higher sail-area-to-displacement ratio when compared to the Beneteau, and in 10 knots of wind on flat water she felt fully powered at 6.8 knots upwind.
The Verdict
The X-35 is a genuinely dual-purpose design: a one-design and handicap racer with the clean, teak-lined interior to weekend aboard. Jeppesen’s hull and rig reward light-air sensitivity and precise trim, but the tender feel and missing cockpit stowage remind you this is a performance hull first.
Pros
- Instant one-design and IRC/PHRF racing credibility with strong European fleet history
- Light, stiff foam-core hull with galvanized keel frame and clean rigging terminations
- Quick light-air acceleration and crisp, finger-light helm
- Roomy, teak-trimmed belowdecks plan with forward double and eight berths
Cons
- Tender when pressed and a learning curve to the many upwind trim options
- No anchor locker or cockpit lockers; cramped nav station and awkward galley
- Symmetric spinnaker feels dated next to modern asymmetrics
