Occasionally when boat builders launch a Mark 2 model of an existing design it’s little more than a marketing ploy. However more often the changes encompass many incremental improvements, borne of years of owners’ experiences that make the updated vessel significantly better than the original. This is certainly the case with the Next Generation version of X-Yachts’ popular Xc38 fast long-distance cruiser.
Over the past six years more than 250 boats were built to the original specification, with owners sailing a combined distance of more than a million miles. This gave the Danish boat builder an intensely rich resource of experience to tap into in order to improve the boat.
In terms of sailing qualities the biggest change is a new keel design that improves efficiency and stability. Other external modifications include a larger fold-down bathing platform and stainless steel crash bars, incorporating instrument pods and throttle/thruster controls, at both wheels. There’s also full LED lighting throughout the boat, both above and below decks. In addition, options now include teak side decks, bulwarks and coachroof, plus a wider range of hull and canvas work colours.
Improvements below decks include larger hull ports to allow more natural light on board, plus a change in the standard joinery finish from mahogany to teak, which creates a lighter feel. Other neat touches include integrated bookcases with sliding brackets in lockers and shelves, plus the option of an integrated Espresso coffee machine in the galley.
In other respects the boat retains its already successful formula, including extensive on-deck stowage for all the paraphernalia that long-term cruising boats inevitably collect. Below decks the layout has two generously proportioned sleeping cabins, a large galley that’s configured to be ergonomic at sea and in harbour, a proper forward-facing navigation station and a large heads compartment with a separate shower stall.
Hull length 11.58 m
Waterline length 10.38 m
Beam 3.81 m
Draught 1.98 m
Ballast – standard 3,775 kg
Displacement 8,700 kg
Engine diesel 30 kW
Fuel tank – standard 200 litres
Water tank – standard 375 litres
Mainsail 44.1 sq m
Genoa (106%) 36.2 sq m
Self-tacking Jib (94%) 32.1 sq m
Asymmetric spinnaker 131 sq m
