This 53-foot catamaran has a 26-foot 2-inch beam, a 4-foot 5-inch draft, and a displacement of 35,274 pounds. It’s intended for long-range cruising, and every change from the original boat serves that purpose.
Design and Construction
The X5 Plus resulted from a deliberate weight-saving program rather than a cosmetic update. The builder reduced the original boat’s displacement-to-length ratio from 144 to 126. Redesigned composite bulkheads, a different window design, re-engineered mast supports, and a finer bow entry brought the boat nearly three inches higher in the water. That allows it to carry more equipment and provisions without degrading its sailing ability.
The hull and deck are completely vacuum-infused and cored with Divinycell foam above and below the waterline. A curved stern arch contains the running rigging, while good handholds throughout the boat help the crew move safely in a seaway.
Rig and Handling
Changes to the rig increased sail area and delivered a meaningful performance gain in light air. The boat also gained a bowsprit for carrying larger foresails. The standard sail plan includes a square-top mainsail, working jib, genoa, and Code 0 on electric furlers.
In bad weather, the crew can shorten sail, set the self-tacking jib, and operate the entire vessel from inside the helm station. Test sailors found the helm layout functional: the lines fall logically to hand near foot-operated electric winches, with an arrangement designed to minimize wrapping and unwrapping.
As is typical of a catamaran with hydraulic steering, the system provides no helm feedback. Even so, the boat tacked easily under any sail combination and accelerated quickly in the puffs. During an autumn sail at Annapolis in winds of 8 to 12 knots, the X5 Plus returned more than 60 percent of the wind speed as boat speed. It did so with ten people, a large dog, and full cruising stores aboard.
Under power, twin 80hp Yanmars drive the boat to 9.8 knots at 2,500 rpm. Standard cruising speed is 8.5 knots at 1,900 rpm, when the sound level is 56 dBA—the same as normal conversation. The turning circle is about 1.5 boatlengths without using differential engine power, and the boat stops and backs predictably.
Accommodations
The test boat had a three-cabin layout. The entire starboard hull was devoted to the owner’s suite, while the port hull contained two additional staterooms.
A distinctive window configuration brings plenty of light into all three cabins, which have comfortable berths, ample stowage, and ensuite heads with showers. On the bridgedeck, a generous living area provides dedicated space for food preparation, dining, socializing, and navigation. The galley has the appliances, work areas, and storage a cruising family needs.
Systems and Owner Support
The redesigned electrical installation uses a 24-volt system supplied by a 2.3 kW solar array—nearly three times the output of the original—and 22 kWh of lithium-ion storage. This capacity makes it possible to run air conditioning and other loads throughout the night without a generator, supporting a luxurious lifestyle with minimal genset use.
A rain-catchment system supplements the watermaker and storage tanks. When the boat is within internet coverage, it sends detailed condition reports to the company. The builder responds with due maintenance items and instructions. New owners also receive a standard two-week training session.
The Verdict
The Xquisite X5 Plus refines a proven cruising catamaran into a lighter, more self-sufficient long-range boat. Its structural and systems engineering closely serves its owner-operated cruising mandate. Real-world testing also shows that it can perform while carrying a full cruising load and support life at anchor.
Pros
- Lower displacement-to-length ratio of 126, with the boat floating nearly three inches higher
- 24-volt electrical system with 2.3 kW of solar and 22 kWh of lithium-ion storage, supporting all-night air conditioning without a generator
- Square-top mainsail and Code 0 on electric furlers, plus a logical helm layout with foot-operated winches
- Twin 80hp Yanmars provide a quiet 8.5-knot cruising speed, predictable backing, and a tight turning circle
Cons
- Hydraulic steering provides no helm feedback
- Builder support through condition reports and maintenance directions depends on internet coverage
