BoatsX-yachts Xc-42

X-yachts Xc-42

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · 2009–2018

A Niels Jeppesen-designed performance cruiser balancing a deep bulb keel with a displacement-heavy hull for offshore stability

Designed by Niels Jeppesen.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder

See her sail

The X-yachts Xc-42, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from The Mariner

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 31 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 31
CoastalBluewater

1.84 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.84
LightHeavy

211 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 211
EasygoingPowered-up

18.1 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.1
TenderStiff

45% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 45%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Heavier than ~83% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~75% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~79% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2639 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The X-yachts Xc-42, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The X-yachts Xc-42 is a 12.8-meter fractional sloop designed by Niels Jeppesen and built by X-yachts from 2009 to 2018. It features a fin keel with a bulb and a spade rudder, a 4.1-meter beam, a 2.1-meter draft, and displaces 11,400 kg.6:13 An optional shallow draft keel of 1.7 meters was available. The main sail area is 53 square meters, and a 108% Genoa sail area is 44.2 square meters.5:54 The Xc-42 can be equipped with a self-tacking jib.5:10 The Mariner mentioned the Xc-42 in a discussion about heavy-weather sailing, noting the risks of broaching and bow-steering in large seas.6:13

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
45.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.1
Displacement / length
210.6
Comfort ratio
31.3
Capsize screening
1.84
Hull speed
8.2 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1808
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead Bulb
Production
Years built
2009–2018
Units built
99
Designer
Niels Jeppesen
Builder
X-yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, 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.

Sirius 40 DS12.90 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.9-metre fractional sloop built since 2015, offering a deep 2.3-metre draft for performance and stability
Sailing West in the English Channel Isn’t Easy Ep 493:51from Sailing Northern Brees
Moody 4212.74 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead ketch offered with a center cockpit and an optional inside steering station for all-weather cruising
The refit continues [Ep. 136]0:36from Sailing Supernova
Passport Yachts 4212.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Stan Huntingford-designed cutter featuring a skeg-mounted rudder and a stable, heavy-displacement hull for offshore work
REUNITED! These Brothers Sailed Around The World For 10 YEARS Together! Sailing Vessel Delos Ep. 4130:04from Sailing SV Delos
Valiant Yachts 4212.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Robert Perry-designed offshore cutter featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a heavy displacement hull for blue-water stability
Matt Rutherford // Around the Arctic (in a Valiant This Time!)6:36from 59° North Sailing
J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/4212.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.8-metre cruiser featuring a fin keel with bulb and spade rudder, designed for offshore stability and speed
Back on land after nearly 3 years - nasty surprise?? Shipyard part 1/20:47from Eternal Sailing
Catalina Yachts 4212.76 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-volume cruiser built on a Nelson/Marek racing hull, featuring a masthead rig and a 1.83-metre fin keel
Why the Catalina 42 Took Over the Caribbeanfrom Practical Sailor

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

X Yachts X-43A Niels Jeppesen-designed fractional sloop balancing performance-oriented sail area with a stiff, bulb-keel hullXc 38A Niels Jeppesen-designed fractional sloop balancing a high 19.37 SA/D ratio with a stiff, comfortable cruising hullXc 50A 15.6-meter performance cruiser with a 45% ballast ratio, engineered for a stiff and powerful windward reachXc 45A 2015-updated performance cruiser featuring increased ballast, an 80 hp engine, and enhanced storage capacityX Yachts X-46A Niels Jeppesen-designed performance cruiser balancing a stiff 43% ballast ratio with a sleek fractional rig

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