Test Report X-Craft X8.0 by Tim Fleming 2011

1. X-CRAFT X8.0 TEST REPORT by TIM FLEMING Tim@Boatingmatters.com
58 KNOT SPEED LOUNGE
I travelled up to the 14th century port city of Hoorn, 35 kilometres from Amsterdam on
the Ijsselmeer, to test the X Craft 8m RIB. It was a typical November day in Holland
with the temperature hovering around 7 degrees Celsius and a strong breeze. The
boat was moored in the small harbour that served as an important home base for the
East India Trading Company‟s fleet 600 years ago when it was a very prosperous
trading centre; the modern lines and colours of the X Craft were in stark contrast to
these medieval surroundings. I could see the whitecaps beckoning outside the
harbour walls and so X-Craft‟s Sales Director Sytse de Vlas and I set out immediately
for a robust sea trial.
Our test boat was powered by a 300 hp Mercury Verado 4 stroke engine and with the
crew weight and fuel load, we were packing 1650kgs in Force 4/5 conditions. A
competitive power to weight ratio! I was very confident with the boat. It is an
immaculate handmade machine built with a very high quality approach to boat
production. The design is X Craft in conjunction with Dutch yacht designers Simonis
Voogd.
The hull and deck are built in a vacuum infusion process ensuring that the high
quality Vinylester resin is thoroughly infused in the glass but with a precise degree of
control to the weight. The inner stringers and transverse bulkheads, along with the
transom are made from high-tech foam, cut from 3D drawings on a CNC machine
and these are sandwiched between the hull and deck. The steering console is a one
piece moulding created in the same process as the hull and deck and then bolted
and bonded to the deck. It, as well as the interior surfaces of the deck, had a metallic
grey exterior which gives a “Bentley level” finish. The teak-like deck covering
provides an effective non skid surface and the entire deck in self bailing thru 2
scuppers through the transom.
Seating is provided by X Craft‟s own in-house suspension seats. The driver and co-
driver seats are “top of the line” Comfort models which feature a fully adjustable

2. patent protected shock absorbing system. Made from polished stainless steel (s/s)
and powder coated aluminium, they are virtually maintenance free. The upholstery is
available in a variety of colours and feature multi density foam for comfort and rigidity.
The seats have various handholds integrated into the frame for passengers seated
on them or standing behind them. I have spent a good deal of time on suspension
seats in the last 10 years and found the X Craft model to be a nice combination of an
effective adjustable dampening system, comfortable upholstery, high quality
looks/finish in a compact package. I certainly had the opportunity to test them out in
our sea trial.
Looking around the boat, one is struck by the high level of quality, the finish and the
attention to detail. The hinges for the hatches were flush with the surfaces due to the
moulded in recesses. Handles, dashboard and other accessories were perfectly
aligned and immaculately installed; even the screw heads, where used, were all
aligned in one direction.
I was not surprised to see the neatly installed electrical system, positioned inside the
steering console, protected by 2 hatches. The larger and heavier outer hatch,
supported by 2 gas operated hydraulic rams, operated silently and effectively like the
door on a premium automobile; the highly polished s/s recessed latch locked
effortlessly, It was difficult to fault anything.
This attention to detail and an uncompromising approach to design and build of boats
RIBS and suspension seats is the dream of X Craft owner and founder Niels Deen.
Having gained experience in ergonomic design from previous businesses, he
combined this with a passion for RIBS into launching, 3 years ago, a 4 boat range
powered by either outboards or diesel stern drives.
I would rate this boat‟s performance and quality up there with the very best. The price
and its principal application limit its appeal to the high end performance oriented
segment of the market, including Superyacht Owners. They would appreciate the
time and effort that has gone in to making this an excellent product for what it is and
have the required budget to acquire one.
Observations by the pilot… Tim Fleming
It soon became apparent that we were driving a special boat. The acceleration was
instantaneous and the roar of the Verado was only interrupted by the growls when
the propeller left the water. Heading into I-2m metre waves at over 40 knots, I braced
for the shocks but both the hull and the suspension seats immediately allayed my
insecurities. This is a very comfortable boat with its 23.5 degree deep V to drive in
these conditions.

3. The sea conditions in the IJsselmeer are typically this sort of back-jarring, short
wavelength combination but the performance through them from the X Craft was
impressive. There were plenty of permutations to try out with the engine trim, speed
and directions so we spent an hour or so seeing what worked and what didn‟t.
There was not much that didn‟t work. Obviously in these moderate to fresh
conditions, one had to be prudent with the engine trim, especially heading upwind,
but the hull always seemed secure and surefooted. The boat maintained a relatively
flat trim at the higher speeds and whilst we hit one or two waves that kicked the
transom up, there was not tendency to bury the bow. The very fine entry and
relatively small windage of the bow made it easier to sustain a course within 10
degrees of the wind. At high speeds, one could feel the effects of the wind only by
the slight heeling of the boat away from the wind. We took absolutely no spray over
the bow or the quarters which was a real bonus in these cold conditions. Coming
about and travelling downwind, we launched off the backs of some of the waves and
leapt clean over them only to come down with an elegant and pleasantly soft „slice”
through the water. One could feel that this was a light but absolutely solid and rigid
boat. On the few times when we came down hard, there were no vibrations that I
detected. The power steering and controls of the Verado added to the driving
pleasure of this high performance package in such sea conditions. Totally responsive
at all times, we went back and forth pushing the boat to its limits each time. I was
having such a good time; I would have stayed out there all day if the weather had
been a bit warmer.
Conditions :
Wind force 4/5, 2 persons on board, 50 litres petrol, engine 300hp, prop Inertia 21p.
1000 rpm : 4.5kn
2000 rpm : 7.0 kn
3000 rpm : 20kn
4000 rpm : 29.1kn
5000 rpm : 39.4kn
6000 rpm : 58,3knts
Time to get on plane : 3 sec
Cruising speed : 2800 rpm / 18.5 kn
Max speed : 6280 rpm / 58.3 kn

4. The aft bench seat looks The steering console door
good and is well finished in opens effortlessly with gas
keeping with the other seats activated support struts
on the boat. The backrest
revealing a tidy electrical
was too low for my liking
and was uncomfortable. system.
Other backrest designs are
available to order.
The mercury Verado fully trimmed out keeps The outboard well drains by a 12v pump.
the propeller out of the water The other piping on the starboard side is the
bilge pump outflow

5. The s/s aft arch is finished Nice attention to detail with
to a high level; even the a handle/cleat bonded to the
welds have been polished top of the collar
out. The LED navigation
lights.
Note the fine attention to detail. The hinges have
their own recess in the foredeck. More recessed
hinges in the console mould.
Specifications :
Length overall 8,00 mt.
Maximum beam 2,65 mt.
Draft 0,45 mt.
Displacement 1.400 kg
Fuel tank capacity 280 lt.
Light displacement max. speed 58,3 Knots (108 km/h)

6. Hull, deck, console and other composite components constructed from infused
vinylester, Orca 866 Hypalon tube (diam. 0.45 metre) with 5 separated air chambers
and pressure relieve valves. Dual tone style. Ergonomic steering console with tinted
windscreen and stainless handlebar, Two X-Craft Suspension Seats and stainless full
beam bench at transom, Electric hydraulic steering unit, Stainless propeller, Stainless
steering wheel and other components are from 316 grade stainless, Bow eyelet,
Liquid compass on dashboard, LED navigation lights, Hatches with lockable latches
and fuel filler in stainless, Fire-extinguisher, “Teak” deck from Permateak
Extra options X8.0 Speed Lounge :
Mercury Verado 300 Hp engine, Metallic painted console, deck and transom, Custom
made A-frame with ski tow eye, Steering wheel clad in leather, Lounge (sunbathing)
beanbag, Courtesy LED lighting, Garmin 5012 Marine network GPS, touchscreen,
Fusion Marine Radio (Iphone docking station) with speakers, 'Grab line' with cleats
on tube, Full boat cover.
Pictures taken by Ingmar Timmer:

8. High quality fuel filler recessed in side of
console.

9. The X-Craft Comfort model suspension
seat performed flawlessly during our sea
trial and adds a hi-tech look to the boat.

10. The forward seat is comfortable and well
finished. Note the polished s/s grab rails
on each side. The walkway past the
console and the collar is tight but it‟s wide
enough.

11. The bow box and the forward area of the boat is
small but elegant. The mooring cleat is foldable.
There are no anchoring components that are
obvious; the anchor warp needs a recess to exit out
of the bow box.

12. The seat back offers handholds to those
seated or standing behind. Note the
compact volume of the seat adding to the
useable deck space.

13. The console facia is well laid out and of
high quality finish. The ergonomic of it all
works well with optimum control of the
wheel and the throttle lever.

14. The dashboard has a carbon fascia and
provides plenty of room for a large screen
GPS chart plotter as well as the Mercury
engine instrument screen. The fly-by-wire
engine throttle/gear lever gives precise
effortless control of engine speed.