Design and Construction
The XP 44's hull and deck are epoxy-infused foam-and-glass sandwiches, with carbon fiber laid into the high-load areas epoxy-infused foam-and-glass sandwiches. A carbon-fiber keel grid is bonded to the hull, and the 44 is the first X-Yacht to use this grid, which replaces the galvanized steel ring found in other models; the change was made to add strength and reduce weight. Further savings come from foam-cored composites used in some of the interior furniture. On the performance designs X-Yachts fits T-bulb keels, and the boat sailed for review carried the deep bulb keel with optional carbon mast and boom. Teak is standard in the cockpit and offered as an option on the decks. The companionway hatch can be lowered fully, locked halfway to prevent down flooding, or raised to close the opening.
Rig and Handling
The boat comes standard with an aluminum mast and boom, though the carbon rig is taller and lighter than the standard spars and was fitted to the boat sailed for review. A full-batten main and 106 percent jib set on a below-deck Profurl furler were carried, and access to that furler in case of a jam was excellent. The double-ended mainsheet leads beneath the side decks to the winches, and the split German-style mainsheet with traveler controls embedded in the sole keeps the cockpit clear; jib sheets stay tight to the cabin house. An asymmetrical sail can be set on the optional carbon bowsprit and anchor roller. The sail drive sits far enough ahead of the high-aspect spade rudder to deliver steady water flow without cavitation, and twin wheels aft shape a cockpit built for performance sailing. Period reviews found she sailed very close to the wind and handled gusting breeze and steep chop very well, with GPS speeds in the mid 7s close-hauled in 10 knots and a top speed under power just over eight knots at a 6.5-knot cruising clip at 2400 rpm. Writing in Cruising World, one judge described her as sailing beautifully, steering beautifully, with everything executed very, very well, and setting the bar high for the fleet through a week of sea trials sailing beautifully, steering beautifully.
Accommodations
Below, the XP 44 is a three-cabin layout with a pair of aft quarter cabins and a roomier owner's stateroom up forward. The forward cabin has a large double V-berth and its own head, while the after cabins are good double berths that can be split with lee cloths for offshore work, and pipe berths added above the bunks let the off-watch crew sleep to windward. White fiberglass panels and light upholstery are set off by teak trim, with vented hanging lockers in the aft cabins. The saloon holds an L-shaped galley to port with a three-burner stove and oven, deep fridge, and twin sinks; a head and shower sit to starboard of the companionway. The dinette table can be removed for racing, and the chart table to starboard rides an innovative slide so it can face forward or slide aft to expand the berth. The settee doubles as a sea berth, and the long starboard settee can be broken by a cocktail table or converted to the nav station.
Equipment and Deck Detail
The cockpit table is easily mounted and demounted, stowing neatly under the sole while racing, and a large table with leaves lives in a compartment beneath the cockpit sole for use in port. The squared-off stern can take an optional folding swim platform. On the foredeck the genoa furling unit fits just below the deck for maximum luff length, the anchor rides a bow roller beneath the short bow sprit, and the windlass hides inside the anchor locker. Wide, uncluttered side decks carry outboard chain plates and genoa tracks along the cabin sides, while all control lines, halyards, and the mainsheet run through under-deck conduits aft. Cabin-side ports open outward.
The Verdict
The XP 44 is a serious performer with cruising substance: a light, stiff epoxy-carbon structure, a clean deck plan built around under-deck routing, and an interior that converts from race mode to comfortable cruising without compromise. She rewards an owner who wants to sail hard and live well.
Pros
- Epoxy-infused sandwich hull with carbon grid saves weight and adds strength
- Under-deck control lines and removable dinette table make a true dual-purpose cockpit
- Three-cabin layout with sea-berth conversions and sliding nav station
- Sail drive placement ahead of the spade rudder avoids cavitation
Cons
- Deep draft (7 feet 7 inches standard, 8 feet 9 inches deep) limits anchorage choice
- Performance-oriented rig and keel demand an experienced hand in steep chop
