Can LUXURY CATAMARAN'S Actually SAIL??? Ep 435
February 19, 2026 · 26 min · 48K views · V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Luxury catamaran sails offshore with code zero unfurled
What this video covers
Josh, host of Sailing Nandji, joins Phoenix Marine CEO Clinton and Exquisite representative Dave for a shakedown sail on Hancock, a newly built Exquisite X5E+ 50-foot hybrid catamaran, departing from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town with Table Mountain as a backdrop.1:38 The sail tests rig retention checked by Sparkraft, sail shape, and overall performance in 20–30-knot southeast winds with gusts into the 30s.2:33 The X5E+ carries a staysail, genoa (approximately 90 square metres), jib (approximately 40 square metres), and a 135-square-metre code 65 top-down furling sail — all electrically furled and operable solo from the helm.5:17 The hybrid drivetrain pairs a Yanmar 4-cylinder SD60 sail drive with an integral electric motor producing 30 kilowatts (15 per side), backed by 960 amp-hours at 48 volts plus 400 amp-hours at 24 volts; the electric motors were not tested this sail.6:46 B&G handles navigation displays.4:34 Beating to windward and then running downwind, the boat reached 10 knots in lighter air with roughly 250–300 square metres of sail set.21:45 The engine room is fully soundproofed.7:08 Exquisite includes two weeks of owner training, typically delivered in the Caribbean, plus an owner's portal for technical support.24:43 Despite its weight as a luxury vessel, the X5E+ tracked well and sailed comfortably at speed throughout the shakedown.19:20
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