X-CRAFT X8.0 TEST REPORT by TIM FLEMING Tim@Boatingmatters.com

58 KNOT SPEED LOUNGE

I travelled up to the 14th century port city of Hoorn, 35 kilometres from Amsterdam on the Ijsselmeer, to test the X Craft 8m RIB. It was a typical November day in Holland with the temperature hovering around 7 degrees Celsius and a strong breeze. The boat was moored in the small harbour that served as an important home base for the East India Trading Company‟s fleet 600 years ago when it was a very prosperous trading centre; the modern lines and colours of the X Craft were in stark contrast to these medieval surroundings. I could see the whitecaps beckoning outside the harbour walls and so X-Craft‟s Sales Director Sytse de Vlas and I set out immediately for a robust sea trial. Our test boat was powered by a 300 hp Mercury Verado 4 stroke engine and with the crew weight and fuel load, we were packing 1650kgs in Force 4/5 conditions. A competitive power to weight ratio! I was very confident with the boat. It is an immaculate handmade machine built with a very high quality approach to boat production. The design is X Craft in conjunction with Dutch yacht designers Simonis Voogd. The hull and deck are built in a vacuum infusion process ensuring that the high quality Vinylester resin is thoroughly infused in the glass but with a precise degree of control to the weight. The inner stringers and transverse bulkheads, along with the transom are made from high-tech foam, cut from 3D drawings on a CNC machine and these are sandwiched between the hull and deck. The steering console is a one piece moulding created in the same process as the hull and deck and then bolted and bonded to the deck. It, as well as the interior surfaces of the deck, had a metallic grey exterior which gives a “Bentley level” finish. The teak-like deck covering provides an effective non skid surface and the entire deck in self bailing thru 2 scuppers through the transom. Seating is provided by X Craft‟s own in-house suspension seats. The driver and co-driver seats are “top of the line” Comfort models which feature a fully adjustable

patent protected shock absorbing system. Made from polished stainless steel (s/s) and powder coated aluminium, they are virtually maintenance free. The upholstery is available in a variety of colours and feature multi density foam for comfort and rigidity. The seats have various handholds integrated into the frame for passengers seated on them or standing behind them. I have spent a good deal of time on suspension seats in the last 10 years and found the X Craft model to be a nice combination of an effective adjustable dampening system, comfortable upholstery, high quality looks/finish in a compact package. I certainly had the opportunity to test them out in our sea trial. Looking around the boat, one is struck by the high level of quality, the finish and the attention to detail. The hinges for the hatches were flush with the surfaces due to the moulded in recesses. Handles, dashboard and other accessories were perfectly aligned and immaculately installed; even the screw heads, where used, were all aligned in one direction. I was not surprised to see the neatly installed electrical system, positioned inside the steering console, protected by 2 hatches. The larger and heavier outer hatch, supported by 2 gas operated hydraulic rams, operated silently and effectively like the door on a premium automobile; the highly polished s/s recessed latch locked effortlessly, It was difficult to fault anything. This attention to detail and an uncompromising approach to design and build of boats RIBS and suspension seats is the dream of X Craft owner and founder Niels Deen. Having gained experience in ergonomic design from previous businesses, he combined this with a passion for RIBS into launching, 3 years ago, a 4 boat range powered by either outboards or diesel stern drives. I would rate this boat‟s performance and quality up there with the very best. The price and its principal application limit its appeal to the high end performance oriented segment of the market, including Superyacht Owners. They would appreciate the time and effort that has gone in to making this an excellent product for what it is and have the required budget to acquire one. Observations by the pilot… Tim Fleming It soon became apparent that we were driving a special boat. The acceleration was instantaneous and the roar of the Verado was only interrupted by the growls when the propeller left the water. Heading into I-2m metre waves at over 40 knots, I braced for the shocks but both the hull and the suspension seats immediately allayed my insecurities. This is a very comfortable boat with its 23.5 degree deep V to drive in these conditions.

The sea conditions in the IJsselmeer are typically this sort of back-jarring, short wavelength combination but the performance through them from the X Craft was impressive. There were plenty of permutations to try out with the engine trim, speed and directions so we spent an hour or so seeing what worked and what didn‟t. There was not much that didn‟t work. Obviously in these moderate to fresh conditions, one had to be prudent with the engine trim, especially heading upwind, but the hull always seemed secure and surefooted. The boat maintained a relatively flat trim at the higher speeds and whilst we hit one or two waves that kicked the transom up, there was not tendency to bury the bow. The very fine entry and relatively small windage of the bow made it easier to sustain a course within 10 degrees of the wind. At high speeds, one could feel the effects of the wind only by the slight heeling of the boat away from the wind. We took absolutely no spray over the bow or the quarters which was a real bonus in these cold conditions. Coming about and travelling downwind, we launched off the backs of some of the waves and leapt clean over them only to come down with an elegant and pleasantly soft „slice” through the water. One could feel that this was a light but absolutely solid and rigid boat. On the few times when we came down hard, there were no vibrations that I detected. The power steering and controls of the Verado added to the driving pleasure of this high performance package in such sea conditions. Totally responsive at all times, we went back and forth pushing the boat to its limits each time. I was having such a good time; I would have stayed out there all day if the weather had been a bit warmer.

Conditions :

Wind force 4/5, 2 persons on board, 50 litres petrol, engine 300hp, prop Inertia 21p.

1000 rpm : 4.5kn 2000 rpm : 7.0 kn 3000 rpm : 20kn 4000 rpm : 29.1kn 5000 rpm : 39.4kn 6000 rpm : 58,3knts

Time to get on plane : 3 sec Cruising speed : 2800 rpm / 18.5 kn Max speed : 6280 rpm / 58.3 kn

The mercury Verado fully trimmed out keeps the propeller out of the water

The outboard well drains by a 12v pump. The other piping on the starboard side is the bilge pump outflow

The aft bench seat looks good and is well finished in keeping with the other seats on the boat. The backrest was too low for my liking and was uncomfortable. Other backrest designs are available to order.

The steering console door

opens effortlessly with gas

activated support struts

revealing a tidy electrical

system.

Specifications :

Length overall 8,00 mt. Maximum beam 2,65 mt. Draft 0,45 mt. Displacement 1.400 kg Fuel tank capacity 280 lt. Light displacement max. speed 58,3 Knots (108 km/h)

The s/s aft arch is finished to a high level; even the welds have been polished out. The LED navigation lights.

Nice attention to detail with a handle/cleat bonded to the top of the collar

Note the fine attention to detail. The hinges have their own recess in the foredeck. More recessed hinges in the console mould.

Hull, deck, console and other composite components constructed from infused vinylester, Orca 866 Hypalon tube (diam. 0.45 metre) with 5 separated air chambers and pressure relieve valves. Dual tone style. Ergonomic steering console with tinted windscreen and stainless handlebar, Two X-Craft Suspension Seats and stainless full beam bench at transom, Electric hydraulic steering unit, Stainless propeller, Stainless steering wheel and other components are from 316 grade stainless, Bow eyelet, Liquid compass on dashboard, LED navigation lights, Hatches with lockable latches and fuel filler in stainless, Fire-extinguisher, “Teak” deck from Permateak Extra options X8.0 Speed Lounge : Mercury Verado 300 Hp engine, Metallic painted console, deck and transom, Custom made A-frame with ski tow eye, Steering wheel clad in leather, Lounge (sunbathing) beanbag, Courtesy LED lighting, Garmin 5012 Marine network GPS, touchscreen, Fusion Marine Radio (Iphone docking station) with speakers, 'Grab line' with cleats on tube, Full boat cover. Pictures taken by Ingmar Timmer:

High quality fuel filler recessed in side of console.

The X-Craft Comfort model suspension seat performed flawlessly during our sea trial and adds a hi-tech look to the boat.

The forward seat is comfortable and well finished. Note the polished s/s grab rails on each side. The walkway past the console and the collar is tight but it‟s wide enough.

The bow box and the forward area of the boat is small but elegant. The mooring cleat is foldable. There are no anchoring components that are obvious; the anchor warp needs a recess to exit out of the bow box.

The seat back offers handholds to those seated or standing behind. Note the compact volume of the seat adding to the useable deck space.

The console facia is well laid out and of high quality finish. The ergonomic of it all works well with optimum control of the wheel and the throttle lever.

The dashboard has a carbon fascia and provides plenty of room for a large screen GPS chart plotter as well as the Mercury engine instrument screen. The fly-by-wire engine throttle/gear lever gives precise effortless control of engine speed.