Design and Construction
The XP 55 hull is a foam-cored sandwich vacuum-infused with epoxy resin, then post-cured in an oven to lock in the resin matrix, and it carries carbon-fiber reinforcements in high-load zones. X-Yachts replaced the steel keel grid of earlier models with a lighter carbon-fiber and epoxy structure that absorbs rig and engine loads anchor, while a massive carbon-fiber grid inside the hull supports the bolted-on T-bulb keel — the bulb is lead and the fin is cast iron. Composite chainplates using unidirectional and multiaxial fibers are laminated into the hull, and two collision bulkheads forward separate the chain and anchor lockers from each other and from the interior. With a displacement-to-length ratio near 143 and a sporty 37,038-pound displacement carrying 14,330 pounds of standard ballast, the boat reads as a stiff, light-volume cruiser-racer rather than a heavy voyager.
Rig and Sail Handling
Both available rig options use standard rod rigging, with an aluminum mast and boom as standard and a carbon-fiber spar with in-boom furling as an upgrade. SAIL's test boat carried an optional Hall Spars carbon rig with North 3Di sails, while the standard rig pairs aluminum with Elvstrøm sails. A belowdecks Harken headsail furler keeps the bow clear, and its drum is reachable through the deep chain locker hatch. Control lines from the mast run aft belowdeck to the twin helms, and the double-ended German mainsheet sheets to a single fixed centerline block on the cockpit sole because of the dinghy garage location. Jib-sheet leads are adjusted via line-controlled cars on tracks mounted inboard by the cabin sides, and a pair of Harken Performance winches sits within reach of either wheel; the test boat also showed oversized Harken Performa winches with full hydraulics for vang and backstay tension.
Performance Under Sail and Power
In light air, the XP 55 proved able: SAIL's tester steered to 28 degrees apparent in 4.5 knots true wind while holding 4 knots of boatspeed, and cracking to 32 degrees lifted speed to 4.5 knots. Under a Code 0 at close-reach angles of 55 to 80 degrees apparent, she sailed at true wind speed in the mid-to-high 6s, and even at 140 degrees apparent she kept 5 knots moving. Cruising World's tester found her a bit tender hard on the wind in 12 knots with little chop and carrying a fair amount of weather helm not easily bled off via traveler; closehauled she made 8.1 knots over ground, and cracked onto a reach the speedo jumped to 8.6 knots as wheel strain eased. Under power, the turbocharged 110 hp Yanmar with a three-blade Flexofold on a straight shaft pushed her at 7 knots at 1,800 rpm and nearly 10 knots at 3,300 rpm, with a sumptuous, well-accessed engine bay.
Accommodations
Below, the accommodations are spacious and finished with rich standard joinery in Nordic oak, while teak-and-holly or walnut soles and darker teak options appear across the range. The standard layout has twin aft cabins and a forward en-suite owner's stateroom with an island queen behind a watertight bulkhead; the saloon carries a U-shaped settee and centerline bench around a large folding teak table to port with a long settee opposite. A large L-shaped galley to port at the companionway foot has twin centerline sinks and ample counter with a big top-load fridge and freezer, while a full-size nav desk sits opposite. The aft staterooms earn praise for vertical clearance and ventilation, and an optional third head trades some galley space. A fold-away cockpit table disappears into the sole, and the cockpit ahead of the twin wheels is open and roomy for crew or guests.
Deck, Cockpit and Safety
The wide deck and low-profile coach roof are easy to move on, with flush hatches and a dodger that folds into a recessed coachroof channel. Twin wheels turn a single deep spade rudder, and visibility from them is good though the seats are somewhat low; a raised ledge behind the wheels aids sightlines over the dodger. The companionway uses an easily handled weatherboard and a 7-inch bridge deck height to guard against downflooding anchor, a safety point the tester cited. A large dinghy locker spans the stern and is closed by an electrically operated swim platform, with natural teak decking and a fold-down transom rounding out the exterior.
The Verdict
The XP 55 is a refined expression of the performance-cruiser idea: vacuum-infused, carbon-structured, and quick in light air, yet laid out for comfortable liveaboard cruising with a serious galley and nav station. She rewards an owner who sails and maintains a modern rig, and the build quality is evident in the finished engine bay and structural grid.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused epoxy hull with carbon reinforcements and a lightweight carbon grid replacing steel
- Quick in light wind, sailing at true wind speed under Code 0 and maintaining 4 knots in 4.5 knots true
- Spacious, well-finished interior with versatile layout options and strong aft-cabin headroom
- Thoughtful cockpit safety details including 7-inch bridge deck and easily handled weatherboard
Cons
- A bit tender and weather-helmy hard on the wind in moderate breeze per tester observation
- Helm seats somewhat low despite good visibility from the twin wheels
- Optional carbon rig and hydraulics add complexity and cost versus standard aluminum setup
