Design and Construction
The X5⁶ reflects X-Yachts’ post-2018 move to epoxy-infused hull construction. Its hull is baked at 70°C for nearly 24 hours to optimize the material properties and protect darker hull finishes from surface defects.
Rather than simply stripping weight from the structure, X-Yachts redirects the weight saved through infusion into stability. The yacht has a light displacement of 18800 kg—nearly 20 tonnes—and carries 15,873 pounds of standard ballast low in a bulb keel. Its maximum beam of 16 feet 1 inch extends well aft, providing substantial form stability. Combined with the deep draught and low-slung ballast, this produced the very high stability measured by Yachting World’s test sailors.
Wide side decks, secure deep bulwarks, and a low-profile coachroof complete a deck structured for safe movement offshore.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
The standard rig has a keel-stepped, triple-spreader aluminium mast with oversized discontinuous rod rigging. Carbon spars are optional for owners looking to reduce weight aloft.
An 88 percent self-tacking jib on the main forestay comes as standard. Buyers can instead specify longitudinal genoa tracks or a larger overlapping headsail, along with an inner forestay and staysail for more flexibility when sailing shorthanded.
A large moulded bowsprit is also standard. It carries both furlers farther forward to maximize the J measurement and improve upwind performance. There’s room for a Code 0 furler ahead of the forestay, while asymmetric spinnakers fly from the tip of the sprit.
Lines run aft to winches on the cockpit coamings, positioned well forward of the helms. Three mainsheet arrangements are available: a German system, a recessed traveller, or a central pedestal with an electric winch.
Under sail, the slippery hull and powerful rig made the X5⁶ feel like a smaller, lighter boat. Testers recorded 2.8 knots in 3.5 knots of true wind and 6.2 knots in 7 knots. With full sail in 15 to 17 knots, the boat made 7 to 7.5 knots upwind; bearing away by five degrees increased speed to 8 knots. On a Code 0 reach, it reached 9 to 10 knots.
Interior and Accommodation
Below deck, the full-width saloon separates dining and lounging areas to port and starboard. Flush deck hatches, coachroof side windows, and large hull windows bring in natural light. Standard joinery is hand-selected Nordic oak, with teak available as an option.
The owner’s cabin is brightened by paired hull windows, overhead hatches, and forward-facing coachroof glass. Two aft cabins can convert from twin berths to large doubles. As standard, they share a single aft heads with a separate shower. A third heads is optional, though it reduces galley and stowage space, including storage in the aft cabins.
Buyers can choose between a conventional U-shaped galley and a more open island arrangement. The island layout provides less counter space and locker room.
Practical features include a forward-facing navstation, cockpit lockers, and a central folding cockpit table with a drinks fridge. The tender garage has its own crane, and the forward sail locker can be converted into a skipper’s cabin.
Equipment and Systems
A 110-horsepower Yanmar diesel and 550-liter fuel capacity support the X5⁶’s long-passage brief. Standard water capacity is 537 liters, helping the boat support autonomous cruising.
Twin parallel hydraulic steering rams provide redundancy. The tradeoff, as testers noted, is a heavy helm with little direct feel.
Around 70 percent of Pure X owners, from the X43 upward, choose in-boom mainsail reefing. The test boat also carried electric Andersen 72 winches and a Reckmann electric top-down Code 0 furler mounted at the inboard end of the sprit. A small dishwasher and provision for a washer-dryer further reflect the boat’s luxury-oriented cruising role.
Verdict
The X5⁶ distills X-Yachts’ performance-cruiser approach into a flagship that sails with surprising nimbleness for its size. At the same time, its finished interior and equipment list suit serious liveaboard voyaging. The infused, baked hull and stability-focused engineering make it a confident offshore platform, although the weight and limited feel of the hydraulic helm are clear tradeoffs for its redundant steering rams.
Pros
- High stability from deep draught, low ballast, and beam carried well aft
- Light-air performance unusual for a yacht of nearly 20 tonnes
- Luxurious interior with flexible galley and cabin configurations
- Tender garage and convertible sail locker provide useful cruising flexibility
Cons
- Heavy hydraulic steering with little feel
- Open island galley sacrifices worktop and stowage space
- Optional third heads reduces galley and aft-cabin storage
