This month we are going to look at a revamp of the X4.9. I’m not very familiar with the 4.9 but the promotional material I have does a good job of highlighting the changes and there are many. X-Yachts calls this model its “new generation of performance cruisers.” It’s a good combination of performance and comfort features designed by the X-Yachts in-house design team.

This is a good looking boat. It’s kind of blocky looking in the current Euro style where the challenge is to produce the most interior volume for a given LOA. The D/L using the lightship displacement is 142.8. The L/B is 3.28 so it’s not as beamy proportionally as some other current models that have an L/B below 3. There is some taper to the deck plan aft but not much. There are three keel configurations: standard at 7 feet 2 inches, deep at 8 feet 9 inches and shallow at 6 feet 7 inches. There is a chine aft and the sectional shape at the transom is very arclike with no deadrise. Overall I’d say this is a pretty aggressive hull for a cruising boat. But heck, who likes to go slow?

There are two layouts offered. They are identical with the option of a double quarter berth in the port cabin or a split two-berth arrangement. It’s a pretty standard layout with heads forward and aft. The forward head has a shower stall. There is also the option of a shower stall in the aft head but you give up the large nav station and have to use a small, facing aft chart table with the settee for a seat, a minor inconvenience these days. The galley looks good with plenty of counter space on each side of the sinks and range. They have increased the size of the hull windows to let in more light.

I like the revamped deck plan. All the hatches are flush. The toerail is molded in and gives the boat a very clean look. Side decks are totally clear of any gear. The new bowsprit is longer and more graceful integrated into the bow than the old one, which looked a bit clunky. The cockpit is huge. The new cockpit has better seating at the twin helms and better sheeting positions forward of the wheels. All lines coming aft exit the cockpit coaming and lead to two winches on each side. The cockpit is the “where’s Johnny” style, which is wide open with a fold-down boarding platform and access to a large dinghy garage.

The rig is tall with three swept spreaders giving an SA/D of 21.48. There is no main traveler, just a padeye between the wheels. There is a track for a self-tacking jib. There is an option for genoa tracks mounted on the coachroof. The mast and boom are aluminum. The standing rigging is discontinuous rod.

This is handsome, quality boat that will keep you very comfortable and looking quite stylish.

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LOA 50’4”; LWL 44’7”; Beam 14’73”; Draft standard 7’2”, deep 8’9”; shallow 6’7”; Ballast 12,015 lb.; Displ. 28,439 lb.; Sail area 1,280 sq. ft.; Water 82 gal.; Fuel 70 gal.;  L/B 3.28; D/L 142.8; SA/D 21.48

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Our best estimate of the sailaway price: $1.1 million