Design and Construction
The X4⁶ measures 40 feet 5 inches on the waterline and displaces 24,030 pounds, including 9,921 pounds of ballast. Its 41 percent ballast ratio points to a stiff, purposeful hull rather than a floating condominium.
The hull is a foam-cored fiberglass laminate, vacuum-infused with epoxy resin and post-cured in an oven. Cruising World judges praised this method as built to last on the closely related X46.
The composite T-bulb keel consists of a cast-iron fin carrying a lead torpedo bulb. Everything is epoxy-coated and faired, and the whole assembly is bolted into a massive galvanized steel floor grid inside the hull—an X-Yachts trademark. The same judges were told that this arrangement makes losing the keel effectively impossible.
Above the waterline, the hull is relatively narrow by modern standards to reduce wetted surface. A plumb bow maximizes waterline length, while just a hint of chine appears in the aft quarters. That narrow, low-drag form combines with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22 and a displacement-length ratio of 163, positioning the boat as a light-air performer that still carries substantial ballast.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
On the water, the X4⁶ proves taut and sweet, with superb helm feel and a tendency to settle easily into a groove. Test sailors found that the substantial mainsail provides much of its drive. The boat remains easy to manage, but mainsail trim needs attention to keep it on its feet because the helm can load up quickly.
Under mainsail alone, the X4⁶ tacked easily and made 3 to 4 knots at apparent-wind angles as tight as 45 degrees. With the blade jib, it reached the high 7s close-hauled at 35 degrees apparent, gained a knot after cracking off 20 degrees, and broke 9 knots on a beam reach. Farther off the wind, it lost little momentum, sailing in the low 8s at 120 degrees and the high 7s at 140 degrees.
The standard aluminum John Mast rig has three sets of spreaders and carries a self-tacking 97 percent jib. A 106 percent jib on inboard tracks is available, as is a full carbon rig. The control lines and the jib’s Seldén furler drum run below deck, while the athwartship self-tacking track is recessed. This leaves a clean, “naked” foredeck, with only a pair of coachroof handrails protruding.
A double-ended mainsheet leads to Harken Performa 46 winches at each helm. All mast control lines run aft to another pair of Performa 46s on the coachroof. On the test boat, only the port coachroof winch handling the main halyard was motorized, although a full set of electric winches can be ordered.
Twin wheels turn a single deep rudder through independent cable runs and quadrants, providing redundant steering systems. Under power, the boat turned crisply within its own length.
Cockpit and Deck Gear
The cockpit is entirely open, with twin wheels behind a full-width mainsheet traveler recessed into the sole. Reasonably high coamings wrap around the bench seats to provide back support. Forward of the traveler, a fixed teak table has fold-down leaves.
Deck hatches beneath the helm stations open into a huge lazarette. A fold-down swim-step transom is available as an option, and the dodger folds neatly into a recessed channel forward of the companionway.
Accommodations
Below, the X4⁶ is arranged for serious cruising. At the foot of the companionway, the galley sits to port and includes a three-burner Eno stove, twin sinks, fair inboard counter space, and two Isotherm fridges—one top-loading and one front-loading. To starboard are a head and a medium-size navigation desk.
The saloon has two full-length straight settees, both of which can serve as sea berths. Finish quality is excellent throughout, with abundant, neatly executed wood-veneer trim in standard oak or optional teak. Cabin soles can be ordered in straight teak, walnut, or teak with holly strips.
Forward, the owner’s stateroom has a large island double berth, generous storage and light, and an ensuite head. The two aft staterooms offer standing room, good clearance above the berths, and above-average ventilation. The port cabin can be ordered with split single berths that fill in to form a double. In both aft cabins, old-fashioned pipe berths can replace the outboard shelf to expand sleeping options.
Power and Propulsion
The standard engine is a 57hp turbocharged Yanmar diesel with saildrive, turning a two-blade Flexofold propeller. An 80hp powerplant is available, while the test boat carried an optional three-blade Gori folding propeller.
In moderate chop, the boat made 7.1 knots over the ground at 2,360 rpm and reached 8.4 knots at full throttle at 3,200 rpm. The tester also noted superb engine sound insulation.
The Verdict
The X4⁶ is a thoughtfully engineered cruiser-racer that honors X-Yachts’ sandwich-construction and steel-grid keel heritage. Its narrow, low-wetted-surface hull delivers uncommon sweetness and speed under sail, while the interior is genuinely livable for two couples or a family. Redundant steering and a clean deck layout reflect the same disciplined approach.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused epoxy hull and a keel bolted into a steel grid for durability and security
- Narrow hull and substantial mainsail drive provide strong light-air and close-winded performance
- Twin aft staterooms with real standing headroom and flexible berth arrangements
- Redundant twin-wheel steering and clean, recessed foredeck control runs
Cons
- The helm can load up quickly if mainsail trim isn’t watched
- The standard two-blade folding propeller and partial electric-winch fit-out may need upgrading for short-handed cruising
