Design and Construction
The X4⁶'s hull is a foam-cored fiberglass laminate set in vacuum-infused epoxy resin and post-cured in an oven, a method that the Cruising World judges praised as built to last on the closely related X46 anchor. The keel is a composite T-bulb: a cast-iron fin carries a lead torpedo bulb, everything epoxy-coated and faired, and the whole assembly is bolted into a massive galvanized steel floor grid inside the hull — an X-Yachts trademark that the same judges were told makes losing the keel effectively impossible. Above the waterline the hull form is relatively narrow by modern standards to reduce wetted surface, with a plumb bow to maximize waterline length and just a hint of chine in the aft quarters. That narrow, low-drag shape pairs with a 22 sail-area-to-displacement ratio and a 163 displacement-length ratio to position the boat as a light-air performer that still carries real ballast.
Rig and Handling
On the water the X4⁶ proves taut and sweet, with superb helm feel and a habit of falling easily into a groove. Test sailors found she is dependent on her substantial mainsail for much of her drive, and while she remains easy to manage, you need to watch mainsail trim to keep her on her feet as the helm can load up quickly. Under main alone she tacked easily and made 3 to 4 knots at apparent wind angles as tight as 45 degrees; with the blade jib she cracked off to high 7s close-hauled at 35 degrees apparent, gained a knot cracking off 20 degrees, and broke 9 knots on a beam reach anchor. Falling off the wind she lost little momentum, sailing in the low 8s at 120 degrees and high 7s at 140.
The standard aluminum three-spreader John Mast rig carries a self-tacking 97 percent jib, with a 106 percent jib available on inboard tracks and a full carbon rig as an option. Control lines and the jib's Seldén furler drum are underground, the athwartship self-tacking track is recessed, and the foredeck is a clean "naked" type with only a pair of coachroof handrails protruding. A double-ended mainsheet runs to Harken Performa 46 winches at each helm, with all mast control lines led aft to another pair of Performa 46s on the coachroof. Twin wheels turn a single deep rudder through independent cable runs and quadrants, giving redundant steering systems, and the boat turned crisply within its own length under power.
Accommodations
Below, the X4⁶ is laid out for serious cruising. The galley sits at the foot of the companionway to port with a three-burner Eno stove, twin sinks, fair inboard counter space, and two Isotherm fridges — one top-loading, one front-loading. To starboard are a head and a medium-size nav desk. The saloon has two full-length straight settees that double as sea berths, and finish quality throughout is excellent, with abundant neatly executed wood-veneer trim in standard oak or optional teak. Cabin soles can be 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. Aft, twin staterooms offer standing room, good clearance over the berths, and above-average ventilation; the port cabin can be ordered with split singles that fill in to a double, and both aft cabins can take old-fashioned pipe berths in place of an outboard shelf to expand sleeping options.
Cockpit and Deck Gear
The cockpit is entirely open, with twin wheels behind a full-width mainsheet traveler recessed into the sole and bench seats wrapped by reasonably high coamings for back support. Forward of the traveler is a fixed teak table with fold-down leaves. A pair of deck hatches under the helm stations open into a huge lazarette, and a fold-down swim-step transom is available as an option. The dodger folds neatly into a recessed channel forward of the companionway. On the test boat only the port coachroof winch handling the main halyard was motorized, though a full array of electric winches can be ordered.
Power and Propulsion
The standard engine is a 57hp turbocharged Yanmar diesel with saildrive, turning a two-blade Flexofold prop; an 80hp powerplant is available, and the test boat carried an optional three-blade Gori folding prop. In moderate chop the boat made 7.1 knots over ground at 2,360 rpm and reached 8.4 knots full out at 3,200 rpm, with superb engine sound insulation noted by the tester.
The Verdict
The X4⁶ is a thoughtfully engineered cruiser-racer that honors X-Yachts' sandwich-construction and steel-grid keel heritage while delivering a narrow, low-wetted-surface hull that sails with uncommon sweetness and speed. The interior is genuinely livable for two couples or a family, and the redundant steering and clean deck reflect real design discipline.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused epoxy hull with bolted-in steel grid keel for durability and security
- Narrow hull and substantial mainsail drive yield strong light-air and close-winded performance
- Twin aft staterooms with real standing headroom and flexible berth configurations
- Redundant twin-wheel steering and clean, recessed foredeck control runs
Cons
- Helm can load up quickly if mainsail trim is not watched
- Standard two-blade folding prop and partial electric winch fit-out may need upgrading for short-handed cruising
