Racer-cruiserr

These are design reviews and not boat reviews. Most of the boats I review are too new for me to have even seen them, let alone sail them. Some of the designs presented here are never built. Therefore, I restrict my comments to the designer's work and the printed comments and specs I receive with each design. The reviews are never intended to be an extension of any company's promotional campaign. When I can see and even sail a boat I have reviewed or am about to review, I will augment the review with information gained from personal experience with the actual boat. The reviews are a blend of both subjective and objective design criteria.

Speaking of subjective criteria, here's a boat I really like. In fact, I seem to like almost all of Niels Jeppesen's work. His boats are fast, handsome and put together unusually well. We could call the new X-482 any number of things, but it looks to me like a nice all-'round boat capable of family cruising one weekend and serious club Facing the next.

There are three layouts: "Three-cabin classic, four-cabin and three-cabin modem version." The difference between the classic layout and the modem layout is that the classic layout features pilotberths port and starboard in the saloon, while the modem version features a spread-out galley to port and a big wraparound dinette to starboard. I'm always attracted to pilotberths. The price you pay with this classic layout is a galley out of proportion with the rest of the accommodations.

The hull is a clean and slick beamy shape, with a very broad transom. The sheerline is sweet and there is no sign of any deadrise at the stem. Note the deep and abrupt forefoot knuckle. The D/L is 171. Also note the miniscule keglet preceding the deep, bladelike rudder. Standard draft is 8.2 feet, with a bulbish-type keel of moderate aspect ratio. There is a pronounced leading edge fillet.

The SA/D of this design is 21.55. The three-spreader rig has a long base to the foretriangle by today's standards, but this just means that you can fly a nice big blade jib for cruising. We are entering an age of nonoverlapping jibs. T ' he spreaders are very slightly swept on this design and there is a babystay. It's a big, aggressive rig for a cruising boat, but then, it's a big aggressive hull.

The deck is beautifully designed. Note the raised coaming around the companionway hatch. This breaks up the line of the long cabintrunk and adds some nice eye candy, while also providing a clever hiding place for the folded-down dodger. The halyards are led aft under the coach roof for a very clean deck.

The photos show beautiful joinerwork and finishing details. Given the X-Yachts pedigree, I would guess that this will be a fast boat.