Under engine:

The 150 HP main engine with electrical throttle control along with it’s folding 3 blade propellor and retractable thrusters, enables the X-65 to smoothly get out of any berth or mooring. She cruises at 9.5 knots under engine at a comfortable low engine revs.

The engine facility is accommodated in a state of the art soundproof compartment.

The deck recessed electrical/retractable mooring winch and gas strut supported anchor launch system are other features, which add to the comfort and safety of this yacht.

Under sail:

The standard carbon mast, which normally comes with a "Park Avenue" carbon boom, however on hull 01 this is replaced with a newly developed FurlerBoom, which is electrically powered from a Bamar integral electrical motor.

The headstay furler is supplied by the renowned “Reckmann” manufacturer, who also supplied the electrical powered Code 0 furler padeye at the bow.

Standard winches are all electrical selftailing models by Harken, tracks and blocks are by "Ronstan" to the highest spec.

Liros Spectra sheets and halyards are all operated by the three cockpit winches, where they are stored inside deck integrated compartments.

All running rigging runs below the deck surfaces, which are covered with teak laid decks.

The deck recessed spray hood dodger is neatly stored below two rigid GRP deck lids, which makes the deck design look extremely smooth and clean.

The electrico/hydraulic opening transom hides storage for a 3.2 m rib and also forms the teak covered bathing platform.

Hull 01 has gone for the option with the slightly reduced draft of just 3m (std is 3.4 m), but by increasing the keel weight by approx 800 kgs, it is in turn maintaining the same high stability as the standard version.

Sailing:

The first outing was performed in the waters just outside Haderslev Fjord, the Western part of the Baltic Sea. Onboard were representatives from X-Yachts Design Group,

X-Yachts Quality controller Dan Pedersen (former X-99 World Class Champion), shareholder/founder Lars Jeppesen and the CEO Per Dollerup Mikkelsen.

The wind was westerly between 20 and 30 knots true, with the temperature at around 15 degrees Celsius.

Having "jacked up" the mast with its integral hydraulic mast jack, to a massive 450 bar mast foot pressure, the permanent backstay tensioner was set to 5000 psi.

The North 3DL sails were hoisted and unfurled, and the X-65 healed over gracefully for the first time ever.

The first leg was a broad reach; the rudder feeling/pressure was very direct yet smooth and gentle with finger tip control, providing a great feeling powering down towards the Island Als logging between 11 and 12 knots.

Later, the beating angles were checked and found to be extremely similar to the X-41, which is known for her "high pointing" qualities.

Tacking through 70-75 degrees, rudder response was still very direct, smooth and light.

The carbon Nordic Mast proved to be very stiff in part due to the very short “free mast top”, with no evidence of “mast pumping”.

The Furlerboom proved to make handling the mainsail very easy.

Next day, a light Southwesterly breeze, between 5 - 9 knots gave us the chance of testing the Code 0, and the electrical powered Reckmann padeye on the bow. This furler worked really well and makes for fast and easy hoisting and storing.

Reaching with true wind angles between 45-75 degrees was like sailing in another dimension. The X-65 sailed at full hull speed from a wind speed of just 7 knots. Astonishing. - Later the wind picked up, the Code 0 was furled but remained hoisted. We sailed for home on an upwind course with the mainsail and the 106% genoa set, which saw boat speeds between 8.8 and 9.2 with tacking angles of just 75 degrees.

The first two days of tests had come to an end, and those who had been fortunate to be onboard are still smiling.

The future owner came and saw his yacht one week ahead of scheduled delivery, he was smiling as well!

X-65, hull 02, will be trucked to Italy late July, for the owner to enjoy his holiday from the middle of August. Another 7 X-65's are planned for delivery before mid 2010.

X-65 is on display at Genoa International Boat Show in October 2009.