Fractional Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · 2003–2010
A Niels Jeppesen-designed fractional sloop balancing performance-oriented sail area with a stiff, bulb-keel hull
Designed by Niels Jeppesen.
See her sail
The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.
Footage from Sam Holmes Sailing
Is it for you?
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 25 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.
1.96 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.
160 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
20.4 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.
43% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
Compared with 2637 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.
What the fleet has seen
Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.
The X-43 is a 12.9-meter fractional sloop designed by Niels Jeppesen and built by X Yachts between 2003 and 2010. It features a fin keel with a bulb and a spade rudder, a beam of 4.0 meters, and a displacement of 8600 kg. The standard draft is 2.2 meters, with options for a shallow 1.9-meter draft or a deep 2.5-meter draft.
The living fleet
Where the fleet has filmed this boat.
Seen once across one channel of the fleet.
What broke, what changed
Moments from individual boats of this model that the fleet has filmed — one crew, one piece of kit, one day on the water. Not a review of the class, and not a count of anything.
FailedDyneema
The Dyneema rigging is worn and will need replacement.
aboard Sam Holmes Sailingseen June 20252:56
WorkingYanmar
The boat is powered by Yanmar engines, which the speaker likes for their cleanliness.
aboard Sam Holmes Sailingseen June 202510:53
Each line is one crew's account of their own boat. Another X Yachts X-43 may be fitted out entirely differently.
What they go for
Where the fleet has seen this model come up for sale.
Purchased for 147,000 euros after negotiation, located in Malaysia, considered a good price compared to Caribbean options
from Sam Holmes Sailingseen June 20250:04
From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.
The record
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Boats like this, on the water
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
The family
The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.
Keep asking
Search what's been said about the X Yachts X-43, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.
The newsletter
One email from the fleet — boats newly added, videos newly analyzed. No noise.
