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Displaying items by tag: X yachts

With the healthy sailing season bursting into life all around us - and doing so almost regardless of the various stages of pandemic-emergence ashore - there’s a shortage of quality used boats available worldwide, and particularly in Ireland.

So news of any "boat of note" coming to the market in perfect ready-to-go condition is like a firework going off, and Afloat.ie draws your attention to the very well-known Dun Laoghaire-based Xp44 WOW which - according to this link to X Yachts - will be “available from early July". More here

Published in Boat Sales
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One of most popular X-Yachts models, the X4³, is going through a serious makeover process.

This boat was the first model in the Pure X range and was introduced to the world for the first time in 2016. Since then more than 100 have been sold globally via X-Yachts’ international dealer network.

X4³s can be found in Australia, Argentina, USA and Canada throughout the whole of Europe and in Russia and China.

Thomas Mielec, X-Yachts’ director of design and engineering, explains: “What we are developing now can be described as a smaller version of the X5⁶.

“The development of the X4³ is considered to be a natural evolution incorporating the lessons learned and the visual appearance of especially the X4⁶ and X4⁰, and after having launched the X56, we saw some opportunities for the X4³ that will lift her to an even higher level”.

Redesigned hull and S-bow design

The redesigned hull shape features wider stern sections above the waterline with the Bmax brought further aft and with soft chines. This increases the downwind performance and allows for a much wider cockpit aft.

Also, the S-bow design and integrated standard bow sprit as standard introduced by the X56 has been incorporated.

The mast height and hence the sail plan has been increased compared to the present model to add to the performance and keep her more in line with the other members of the Pure X range. The longer bow sprit allows for bigger and more free flying gennakers.

Deck and sprayhood

The deck and deck liner have been completely redesigned. The appearance of the coachroof and coamings is brought to the more modern styling of the other Pure X models — and beyond.

Deck plan of the new-look X-Yachts X4³

The deck layout features longitudinal jib tracks as standard, but a self-tacking track recessed into the cabin top — as known from the newer Pure Xes — is available as an option. However, when this option is not chosen, the recess will be covered so that the aesthetic flush appearance of the cabin top is maintained.

The cabin-side port lights are designed with the same type of openable sections as on the X4⁶ and X4⁰, allowing for better ventilation and a simpler aesthetic appearance.

The cruising sailor can look forward to a redesigned sprayhood layout. Apart from protecting the family from hard weather at sea, the shape of the sprayhood will offer a sleeker visual appearance and a better forward view for the helmsman than on previous designs.

Spacious cockpit

The cockpit area is wider and more spacious and at the companionway the hinged acrylic doors and integrated rope storage at the sides (known from the X4⁰) are adopted.

The interior

The revised hull shape and slightly raised cockpit floor allows for enhanced width of the berths in the aft cabin/s and the tables and wash basins in the heads have been improved and modernised, but apart from that only minor features will be redesigned in the interior of the X4³.

“There is no need to change things that work optimally, so for now, we decided to maintain the layouts of the interior,” Mielec says.

X-Yachts expects to launch the refreshed X4³ in January 2022, with prices stating from €344,000 ex VAT. Find out more on the X-Yachts website, and click HERE to request a call-back regarding this yacht.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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X-Yachts welcomes everyone to experience first-hand the soul and heritage of its brand at the South Coast Boat Show in Southampton this coming weekend.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the X4⁹ will be part of X-Yachts’ presence at Ocean Village Marina from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 May.

Viewing slots are in high demand, with limited times available HERE.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL

Spring has sprung in Denmark, prompting the X-Yachts team to take the new X-Power 33C — dubbed ‘The Red Baron’ — out of the Haderslev yard.

Chief executive Kræn Brinck Nielsen joined Kasper Brinck Mair and Martin Lindbæk, sales manager for the X-Power range, for the spin on the water just weeks after its world premiere unveiling.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the X-Power 33C marks X-Yachts’ first foray into the powerboat market following the acquisition of Swedish builder HOC Yachts in late 2019.

In other news, X-Yachts recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the X-102.

The X-102 is the second X-Yachts model launched and it was a true cruiser/racer with a centre cockpit. The boat was designed for IOR’s 3/4 ton upper rating limit of 24.55ft.

X-102 “Soldier Blue” won the 3/4 Ton World Championship in 1981 and was skippered by Ib Ussing Andersen, helmed by Jens Christensen with tactics by Lars Bo Ive, all now of North Sails fame.

Lars and Niels Jeppesen did also participate in the same championship, in another X-102, taking the seventh place.

In 1982, “Lille du” won the same title and gave X-Yachts a head start in the international yachting arena.

One of the star qualities of the X-102 and indeed all other X-Yachts models is sailing pleasure, as a recent video on the X-Yachts YouTube channel attests:

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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X-Yachts has unveiled a busy calendar of in-person events in Southampton from spring to autumn of 2021, restrictions allowing.

The schedule kicks off with a chance to experience the X4⁹ at Hamble Point Marina from 9-11 April. Reservations for time aboard are limited; email Stuart Abernathy.

The X4⁹ will also be part of X-Yachts’ presence at the South Coast Boat Show at Ocean Village Marina from 7-9 May. While slots have already been booked out, prospective viewers can join the waiting list.

Later that month is the X-Yachts Solent Cup, which will also see a private X-Yachts owners event at the Royal Southern Yacht Club over the weekend of 28-30 May.

The next dates for your diary at 2-4 July, when X-Yachts hosts its Experience the X5⁶ premiere at Hamble Point Marina. This will be followed by an Experience the Brand event with various X-Yachts models on display from 6-8 August.

September brings the Ocean Village Boat Show and the premiere of the X-Power 33C at Ocean Village Marina from 10-19 September.

And there will be another chance to see the X-Power 33 in the Experience the Brand event at Hamble Point Marina from 8-9 October.

Full details will follow in advance of each event in the calendar. Admission to all is strictly by appointment only, to ensure a safe and relaxed customer experience.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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Make your yachting dreams a reality this summer and become the owner of a brand-new X-Yachts X4⁰ for delivery this July.

The top performance cruiser in the 2020 European Yacht of the Year awards can be delivered to the UK by road or sea, or to the EU for UK residents to avail of VAT-free status.

The X4⁰ comes in a variety of configurations which you can choose to suit your own desires on the X-Yachts website, which also hosts a virtual tour inside the luxury performance vessel.

Please note that this boat is only available to residents of the UK or Ireland or for Greek charter.

For more, call Stuart Abernathy on +44 7500 947896 or email [email protected]

And don’t miss X-Yachts’s other smash-hit new models, the Pure X flagship X5⁶ and its surge into the powerboat market with the X-Power 33C.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
Tagged under

X-Yachts’ Danish yard has only a limited number of build slots left for sailing in the 2021 season, restrictions allowing.

If you are ready to use sailing as your ‘escape’ in 2021, you can choose from the X4⁰, X4³, X4⁶, Xc 38 and Xc 45 for delivery in August and September this year.

Besides the recommended sailing specifications, all come with a complimentary bow thruster, engine power upgrade, and road transport and commissioning in Hamble.

This special offer is only valid until 31 January and its subject to contract. Contact Stuart Abernathy at [email protected] for more.

Yesterday X-Yachts officially unveiled the X-Power 33C, its first foray into the powerboat market, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
Tagged under

Ensuring there’s no unnecessary high resistance in the water is one key to the success of X-Yachts hull designs over the years, as CEO and founder Niels Jeppesen explains in the latest instalment of its video series, which you can watch below.

Jeppesen highlights features such as hinged propellers that close into a fin shape when not in use, retractable bow thrusters, and optimise placement of water tanks among features that make their boats’ handling a breeze in or out of the marina.

Previously, Jeppesen covered how the Danish sailing yacht builder arrived at its unique brand name.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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The 10th February 1979 was a big day in the life of Danish Yacht Firm X Yachts. Niels Jeppesen and Birger Hansen officially started up the company at precisely 8 am.

Lars Jeppesen, having recently finished his education as a boat builder was travelling for 3 months…

Niels and Birger simply couldn’t wait – they had to start up the project. So… on 10th February, the drawings for the racing sailboat of 7.8 metres were ready. And on this particular date, the two guys started producing the plug for the hull. They both looked forward to surprising Lars when he came back from his journey.

In this process, the plug was extended by 10 cm. The boat length was then 7.9 metres, and thereby creating its own name.

Niels and Birger had difficulties agreeing on a name for the boat, so they started by naming it X.

Lars Jeppesen read about the project after having picked up a poste restante letter in Cairo. In this letter, there was an enclosed press cutting from a local newspaper which stated that Niels, Birger and Lars had started up their own yard: “Nordsø Bådværft by Jeppesen and Hansen’s Boat Building Yard”.

On 9th May 1979, X-79 number 1 was launched in Aabenraa Denmark, in connection with a local boat show.

One month later, the yard participated with 2 X-79’s in “Sjælland Rundt” (a hardcore racing sail around the largest island of Denmark, Zealand with 3 different courses ranging from 216 to 276 nautical miles).

X-79 number 1 wins - a convincing victory with 1,500 participating boats. This is the beginning of the success of the X-79’s and indeed X-Yachts – approximately 500 X-79 boats were built and sold.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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Danish yacht manufacturer X-Yachts has been explaining why it designs "L" shaped keels for its cruisers, and torpedo "T" shaped keels for its performance yachts range?

Apart from an obvious advantage of the L shaped keel shedding seaweed and lobster pots over the T keel, there are more design considerations that are made.
The main difference is that the centre of lateral resistance is further aft on a T keel in comparison to the more conventional L keel.

The Xc Range has been designed to be more forgiving on longer passages, therefore the sail plan is further forward, suiting the L keel design.

With the Xp Range, there is a desire for optimum upwind performance. One of the ways to achieve this is by maximising the fore-triangle, which moves the centre of effort aft, requiring a keel choice with centre of lateral resistance further aft. Simply moving an L keel aft would not work as the bulb (ballast) must remain in the same location fore and aft.

Published in X-Yachts GB & IRL
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Aquaculture Information

Aquaculture is the farming of animals in the water and has been practised for centuries, with the monks farming fish in the middle ages. More recently the technology has progressed and the aquaculture sector is now producing in the region of 50 thousand tonnes annually and provides a valuable food product as well as much needed employment in many rural areas of Ireland.

A typical fish farm involves keeping fish in pens in the water column, caring for them and supplying them with food so they grow to market size. Or for shellfish, containing them in a specialised unit and allowing them to feed on natural plants and materials in the water column until they reach harvestable size. While farming fish has a lower carbon and water footprint to those of land animals, and a very efficient food fed to weight gain ratio compared to beef, pork or chicken, farming does require protein food sources and produces organic waste which is released into the surrounding waters. Finding sustainable food sources, and reducing the environmental impacts are key challenges facing the sector as it continues to grow.

Salmon is the most popular fish bought by Irish families. In Ireland, most of our salmon is farmed, and along with mussels and oysters, are the main farmed species in the country.

Aquaculture in Ireland

  • Fish and shellfish are farmed in 14 Irish coastal counties.
  • Irish SMEs and families grow salmon, oysters, mussels and other seafood
  • The sector is worth €150m at the farm gate – 80% in export earnings.
  • The industry sustains 1,833 direct jobs in remote rural areas – 80% in the west of Ireland
  • Every full-time job in aquaculture creates 2.27 other jobs locally (Teagasc 2015)
  • Ireland’s marine farms occupy 0.0004% of Ireland’s 17,500Km2 inshore area.
  • 83% of people in coastal areas support the development of fish farming
  • Aquaculture is a strong, sustainable and popular strategic asset for development and job creation (Foodwise 2025, National Strategic Plan, Seafood
  • Operational Programme 2020, FAO, European Commission, European Investment Bank, Harvesting Our Ocean Wealth, Silicon Republic, CEDRA)
    Ireland has led the world in organically certified farmed fish for over 30 years
  • Fish farm workers include people who have spent over two decades in the business to school-leavers intent on becoming third-generation farmers on their family sites.

Irish Aquaculture FAQs

Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants, and involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions- in contrast to commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish. Mariculture refers to aquaculture practiced in marine environments and in underwater habitats. Particular kinds of aquaculture include fish farming, shrimp farming, oyster farming, mariculture, algaculture (such as seaweed farming), and the cultivation of ornamental fish. Particular methods include aquaponics and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, both of which integrate fish farming and plant farming.

About 580 aquatic species are currently farmed all over the world, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which says it is "practised by both some of the poorest farmers in developing countries and by multinational companies".

Increasing global demand for protein through seafood is driving increasing demand for aquaculture, particularly given the pressures on certain commercially caught wild stocks of fish. The FAO says that "eating fish is part of the cultural tradition of many people and in terms of health benefits, it has an excellent nutritional profile, and "is a good source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and essential micronutrients".

Aquaculture now accounts for 50 per cent of the world's fish consumed for food, and is the fastest-growing good sector.

China provides over 60 per cent of the world's farmed fish. In Europe, Norway and Scotland are leading producers of finfish, principally farmed salmon.

For farmed salmon, the feed conversion ratio, which is the measurement of how much feed it takes to produce the protein, is 1.1, as in one pound of feed producing one pound of protein, compared to rates of between 2.2 and 10 for beef, pork and chicken. However, scientists have also pointed out that certain farmed fish and shrimp requiring higher levels of protein and calories in feed compared to chickens, pigs, and cattle.

Tilapia farming which originated in the Middle East and Africa has now become the most profitable business in most countries. Tilapia has become the second most popular seafood after crab, due to which its farming is flourishing. It has entered the list of best selling species like shrimp and salmon.

There are 278 aquaculture production units in Ireland, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) *, producing 38,000 tonnes of finfish and shellfish in 2019 and with a total value of €172 million

There are currently almost 2,000 people directly employed in Irish aquaculture in the Republic, according to BIM.

BIM figures for 2019 recorded farmed salmon at almost 12,000 tonnes, valued at €110 million; rock oysters reached 10,300 tonnes at a value of €44 million; rope mussels at 10,600 tonnes were valued at €7 million; seabed cultured mussels at 4,600 tonnes were valued at €7 million; "other" finfish reached 600 tonnes, valued at €2 million and "other" shellfish reached 300 tonnes, valued at €2 million

Irish aquaculture products are exported to Europe, US and Asia, with salmon exported to France, Germany, Belgium and the US. Oysters are exported to France, with developing sales to markets in Hong Kong and China. France is Ireland's largest export for mussels, while there have been increased sales in the domestic and British markets.

The value of the Irish farmed finfish sector fell by five per cent in volume and seven per cent in value in 2019, mainly due to a fall on salmon production, but this was partially offset by a seven per cent increased in farmed shellfish to a value of 60 million euro. Delays in issuing State licenses have hampered further growth of the sector, according to industry representatives.

Fish and shellfish farmers must be licensed, and must comply with regulations and inspections conducted by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Marine Institute. Food labelling is a function of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. There is a long backlog of license approvals in the finfish sector, while the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine says it is working to reduce the backlog in the shellfish sector.

The department says it is working through the backlog, but notes that an application for a marine finfish aquaculture licence must be accompanied by either an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). As of October 2020, over two-thirds of applications on hand had an EIS outstanding, it said.

The EU requires member states to have marine spatial plans by 2021, and Ireland has assigned responsibility to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government for the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF). Legislation has been drawn up to underpin this, and to provide a "one stop shop" for marine planning, ranging from fish farms to offshore energy – as in Marine Planning and Development Management Bill. However, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine confirmed last year that it intends to retain responsibility for aquaculture and sea-fisheries related development – meaning fish and shellfish farmers won't be able to avail of the "one stop shop" for marine planning.

Fish and shellfish health is a challenge, with naturally occurring blooms, jellyfish and the risk of disease. There are also issues with a perception that the sector causes environmental problems.

The industry has been on a steep learning curve, particularly in finfish farming, since it was hailed as a new future for Irish coastal communities from the 1970s – with the State's Electricity Supply Board being an early pioneer, and tobacco company Carrolls also becoming involved for a time. Nutrient build up, which occurs when there is a high density of fish in one area, waste production and its impact on depleting oxygen in water, creating algal blooms and "dead zones", and farmers' use of antibiotics to prevent disease have all been concerns, and anglers have also been worried about the impact of escaped farmed salmon on wild fish populations. Sea lice from salmon farmers were also blamed for declines in sea trout and wild salmon in Irish estuaries and rivers.

BIM says over 95% of all salmon farmed in Ireland are certified organic. Organically grown salmon are only fed a diet of sustainable organic feed. They are also raised in more spacious pens than traditional farmed salmon. The need to site locations for fish farms further out to sea, using more robust cages for weather, has been recognised by regulatory agencies. There is a move towards land-based aquaculture in Norway to reduce impact on local ecosystems. The industry says that antibiotic use is declining, and it says that "safe and effective vaccinations have since been developed for farmed fish and are now widely used". Many countries are now adopting a more sustainable approach to removing sea lice from salmon, using feeder fish such as wrasse and lumpsucker fish. Ireland's first lumpsucker hatchery was opened in 2015.

BIM says over 95% of all salmon farmed in Ireland are certified organic. Organically grown salmon are only fed a diet of sustainable organic feed. They are also raised in more spacious pens than traditional farmed salmon. The need to site locations for fish farms further out to sea, using more robust cages for weather, has been recognised by regulatory agencies. There is a move towards land-based aquaculture in Norway to reduce impact on local ecosystems. The industry says that antibiotic use is declining, and it says that "safe and effective vaccinations have since been developed for farmed fish and are now widely used". Many countries are now adopting a more sustainable approach to removing sea lice from salmon, using feeder fish such as wrasse and lumpsucker fish. Ireland's first lumpsucker hatchery was opened in 2015.

Yes, as it is considered to have better potential for controlling environmental impacts, but it is expensive. As of October 2020, the department was handling over 20 land-based aquaculture applications.

The Irish Farmers' Association has represented fish and shellfish farmers for many years, with its chief executive Richie Flynn, who died in 2018, tirelessly championing the sector. His successor, Teresa Morrissey, is an equally forceful advocate, having worked previously in the Marine Institute in providing regulatory advice on fish health matters, scientific research on emerging aquatic diseases and management of the National Reference Laboratory for crustacean diseases.

BIM provides training in the national vocational certificate in aquaculture at its National Fisheries College, Castletownbere, Co Cork. It also trains divers to work in the industry. The Institute of Technology Carlow has also developed a higher diploma in aqua business at its campus in Wexford, in collaboration with BIM and IFA Aquaculture, the representative association for fish and shellfish farming.

© Afloat 2020

At A Glance - Irish Aquaculture

  • Fish and shellfish are farmed in 14 Irish coastal counties
  • Salmon is the most popular fish bought by Irish families. 
  • In Ireland, most of our salmon is farmed, and along with mussels and oysters, are the main farmed species in the country.
  • The industry sustains 1,833 direct jobs in remote rural areas – 80% in the west of Ireland
  • Every full-time job in aquaculture creates 2.27 other jobs locally (Teagasc 2015)
  • Ireland’s marine farms occupy 0.0004% of Ireland’s 17,500Km2 inshore area.
  • 83% of people in coastal areas support the development of fish farming

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