XR 41 (12m), the new X-Yachts racing “beast”. How she sails, how much she costs TEST

Here comes XR 41, one of the most eagerly awaited boats of the season and one that, in fact, has been waiting almost 15 years. In fact, X-Yachts returns to the world of true cruiser-racer where in the past, with historical models such as IMX 40, X362, X 50 won everything.

In Haderslev, Denmark, where the shipyard is based, we previewed theXR 41: she is beautiful and mean, with unusual shapes. Hull with an obvious V at the stern and important volumes at the bow. Shapes designed, as the same, Kræn Brinck Nielsen, CEO of X-Yachts, told us,“To be fast in the water, but slow on paper.”

In other words, optimized for ORC tonnage (at the higher limit of Group B).

XR 41: “strange” shapes but also beautiful performance…

That’s what we realized during a day’s sailing in the Little Belt, the channel in front of Haderslev in the North Sea. The boat is particularly stable and neutral at the helm and shows off impressive acceleration coming out of maneuvers.

The composite hull of XR 41 originates from female mold made with 5-axis milling machine. The construction is epoxy resin sandwich, with foam core, vacuum and post-cured. The GRP is in biaxial “E” glass skins, with local unidirectional reinforcements also in “E” glass and carbon fiber at the highest load points. The traditional structural steel bilge spider from X-Yachts that provides great structural rigidity to the hull-deck-rib assembly.

The latter is available in the standard 2,650 kg version, or weighted 460 kg for those who want to race singles or doubles and need more righting. The rig can be either Sport or Race, and in this case you have a longer bowsprit (80 cm), square-top mainsail and split backstay.

ALL THE DETAILS OF THE TEST AND THE PRICE OF XR-41 IN LUCA SORDELLI’S VIDEO.

X-YACHTS XR 41 – The Data Sheet

Length. Overall 14.58 m (13.75 vers. Sport)
Hull length 12.75 m
Waterline length 11.71 m
Maximum beam 4.18 m
Draft 2.40 m Draught 7,150 kg approx.
Ballast 2,650 kg
Engine – Yanmar 30 HP
Fuel 120 liters
Water 205 liters
Sup. sail area (mainsail and 106% Jib) 108.4 m2
Jib 49.3 m2
Asymmetrical spinnaker 180.0 m2
I = 17.00 m (55’8″)
J = 5.38 m (17’7″)
P = 16.50 m* (54’1″)
E = 5.30 m (17’4″)