BoatsX-Yachts X-79

X-Yachts X-79

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1979–1994

The debut design from Niels Jeppesen, this high-performance fractional sloop features a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio

Designed by Niels Jeppesen.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The X-Yachts X-79, on the water

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

Footage from SEILmagasinet

Is it for you?

Character

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

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 10 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 10
CoastalBluewater

At 2.63 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.63
LightHeavy

143 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 143
EasygoingPowered-up

24.5 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 24.5
TenderStiff

50% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 50%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Lighter than ~83% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1737 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The X-Yachts X-79, 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 X-79 is a fractional sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, designed by Niels Jeppesen and built by X-Yachts from 1979 to 1994. It was the first boat produced by X-Yachts. The X-79 measures 8.0 m LOA, with a 2.9 m beam, 1.3 m draft, and 1344 kg displacement.22:10

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

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
49.8%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
24.5
Displacement / length
142.9
Comfort ratio
10.2
Capsize screening
2.63
Hull speed
6.1 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
709
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1979–1994
Units built
468
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.

J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/808.00 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1992 fractional sloop with a high 26.59 sail area-to-displacement ratio, engineered for rapid, agile performance
Transiting the Chesapeake Bay - North and South23:13from Maryland School of Sailing
International 8068.06 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Pelle Petterson-designed fractional sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, built for performance since 1974
Extreme conditions during the Oslofjord Race7:33from SEILmagasinet
Abbott Boats Inc. Soling8.15 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA high-performance Olympic class keelboat designed by Jan Herman Linge for tactical three-person racing
Kristian Nergaard used the Hankø Regatta as a warm-up for the 5.5m World Championship0:02from SEILmagasinet
Maxi Yachts 777.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterThe most popular model in the builder's history, offering both inboard and outboard engine options for versatile cruising
From Helsesista to Adventure Tale: How she found joy on the "high seas" in the Inner Oslo Fjordfrom SEILmagasinet
Martinique 257.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Brazilian-built masthead sloop with a 44% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal cruising
The Day I Found My Sailboat, Balanço | #SAL Cut #513:35from Hashtag Sal
Comet 7707.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Jean-Marie Finot-designed IOR quarter-tonner with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited club racing
SOLO SAILING - STERN-TO MOORING WITH BOW MOORING BUOY⚓🚢 #sailboat #sailingfrom Maurizio and the sail

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

X Yachts X-99A high-performance fractional sloop designed by Niels Jeppesen with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for speedX-Yachts X-95A Niels Jeppesen-designed IOR half-tonner with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio and an optional taller rig

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the X-Yachts X-79, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

Search the fleet for boats like thisAsk the fleet about the X-Yachts X-79

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