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Displaying items by tag: Pure X

The atmosphere was tense when X-Yachts’ new X4³ was hanging razor-sharp in its centre lift at the yard in Haderslev, Denmark last week.

The moment was witnessed and toasted in champagne by X-Yachts dealers from around the globe, well knowing that this new member of the Pure X line will soon become the most popular model of all X-Yachts.

Prior to the launch, key riggers and boat builders worked hard to get the mast stepped and tuned, and to get the most necessary details ready for the first sea trials that were due on the following days.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the new X4.3 has gone through a serious makeover with a completely new hull and deck design together with many other improvements since its successful predecessor.

Needless today the whole yard — not least the design and engineering team — has been looking very much forward to the special moment when the beautiful new 4.3 hit the water.

Following the first day of testing design and engineering director Thomas Mielec said: “Our mast supplier John Mast has done a really nice job with the new aluminium mast that is 50cm higher than on the previous version of the X4.3.

“The mast trims to a well distributed prebend curve over the length of the mast and it’s as stiff as we like it – both in transverse and longitudinal direction.

“The new mainsheet traveller system — now upgraded with hardware from Ronstan and a 7:1 purchase — proved a very noticeable improvement on the main sheet trimming. A few points of further improvements with positioning of fittings, etc were identified in the first test and will be re-worked on the final boat.

The new X4³ is sailed out of the Haderslev yard for open water testing earlier this week

“The new hull design with wider transom and lifted soft chines suits the X4³ very well. The additional form stability is quite noticeable, as is the considerably less wake and turbulence of the heeled transom travelling through the water.

“At the helm you have a nice and direct feel. With slight adjustment to the responsiveness of the rudder, that shares the now updated design of the entire Pure X range rudders, helming this yacht will be a fantastic experience for the owners.”

X-Yachts chief executive Kræn Brinck Nielsen is just as happy as Mielec: “The first X4³ model sold more than 100 boats in four years and proved a fantastic success, but the new X4³ has already sold 23 pieces before we were even able to take the first real picture of the boat!

“We can’t wait to get her out in the market in 2022 after a full month of testing and adjusting the final bits of equipment to perfection.”

Contact Stuart Abernethy at X-Yachts GB & IRL to learn more about how to secure the next build slot for 2022 delivery.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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Following its launch in November 2020, followed by an extensive test sailing period, X-Yachts celebrated the world premiere of the X5⁶ — the new sailing flagship of the Pure X Range, earlier this year.

Now the Danish luxury performance specialists have shared a new video showcase which goes in-depth on the X5⁶ and its uncompromising combination of speed, comfort and functionality.

Check out the video below:

While the current pandemic restrictions mean you can’t get to Denmark to see the X5⁶ in person, X-Yachts have launched a revamped version of its virtual tour so you can explore its spacious interior from anywhere in the world.

Also, be sure to check out the latest series of Know Your X-Yacht, in which the GB office highlights various aspects of the X-Yachts range and how to make the most of your yacht.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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Following her recent launch at X-Yachts headquarters in Denmark, the new X5⁶ performance cruiser was test-sailed for the first time this past weekend.

Among the crew for the coastal jaunt were X-Yachts chief executive Kræn Brinck Nielsen and the company’s director of design and engineering Thomas Mielec, along with chief designer Thorkil Munk-Hansen, project manager Nico Rode and technical manager John Morsing

In spite of cold and greyish weather, the crew’s enthusiasm was unmistakable, with the CEO declaring: “It was fantastic!”

 The first test sail for the new X5⁶ this past weekend off Haderslev in Denmark The first test sail for the new X5⁶ this past weekend off Haderslev in Denmark
Click HERE for more details, including pricing and specs, of the newest addition to X-Yachts’ Pure X range.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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X-Yachts’ new X5⁶ performance cruiser has been launched for the first time.

First revealed at boot Düsseldorf in January, the 56-footer hit the water at X-Yachts’ headquarters in Haderslev, Denmark yesterday evening, Wednesday 25 November.

After rigging, in-water tests and adjustments of technical installations are completed, X-Yachts will conduct a thorough series of sea trials under the close supervision of the design and engineering team.

X-Yachts’ new X56 performance cruiser is launched on Wednesday 25 November

“We feel convinced that the X5⁶ will live fully up to our expectations,” said Thomas Mielec, director of design and engineering.

“But realistically and historically there will always be minor adjustments with a new model, first of its kind in the Pure X range, and we are eager to find all mistakes and points of improvement now, in order to have the corrections implemented as early as possible.”

Following sea trials, the first model X5⁶ will go back to the assembly hall for final fit-out of interiors and more to be ready for the world premiere in X-Yachts’ Haderslev showrooms.

Click HERE for a gallery of images from yesterday’s launch, and stay tuned for more details about the X5⁶.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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Hot on the heels of the European Yacht of the Year award win for the X4⁰, X-Yachts have revealed at boot Düsseldorf that their new X5⁶ is planned launch in November this year ahead of the 2021 show.

Chief designer Niels Jeppesen said: “Having developed the X4⁰ in 2019, it was an easy decision for X-Yachts to decide to meet the market’s request to fill the gap between the X4⁹ and the X6⁵.”

The 56ft performance cruiser and latest addition to the Pure X range is designed with serious cruising in mind — whether exploring the Mediterranean or crossing the Atlantic.

‘Light, strip and stuff’ is the maxim behind the X5⁶ design philosophy: weight saved via epoxy infusion constriction is used to increase stability for supreme comfort on board.

And the Danish brand’s clean, timeless style is expectedly reflected in its luxury, high-quality interior.

The X5⁶ will be available in a variety of configurations and the first boats are expected to hit the water this year. For more details contact X-Yachts Ireland.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL

Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!