In 1979, two Danish brothers and a friend built a racing sailboat in a barn and proceeded to win every race they entered. That success launched X-Yachts, which over the next four decades became a respected international builder of race boats, cruisers and performance cruisers. About four years before this review, X-Yachts expanded into powerboats, responding to owner demand for a motorboat that matched the company’s high standards of construction and design.
“A lot of our sailboat owners have a powerboat as their secondary boat, and they were used to X-Yachts’ approach to construction,” said Bob Rodgers, distributor for X-Yachts USA in West Mystic, Connecticut. That Scandinavian mindset—prioritizing strength and quality—guided X-Yachts as it entered the powerboat market.
Rather than tasking its sailboat R&D team with a ground-up powerboat hull design, X-Yachts adopted an already proven solution: the patented Petestep hull from Sweden. The X-Power 33C’s Petestep hull avoids flat spray rails or other horizontal surfaces that slam into waves and create noise and discomfort. Instead, a V-shaped array of Petestep deflectors channels water down and aft beneath the hull, smoothing the ride, reducing slamming and generating lift that improves fuel efficiency and performance.
“It gives you a little extra speed and better fuel consumption,” said Martin Lindbaek Luk, who leads the X-Yachts powerboat division. True to the company’s sailing heritage, X-Yachts offers the 33C with a single diesel inboard—choices of 320-hp, 340-hp or the 370-hp Yanmar fitted to our test boat—even though single inboard diesels are less common in sporty boats in some markets. In combination with the Petestep hull, the single-diesel configuration delivers notably efficient cruise performance. X-Yachts has also announced that next year the 33C will be available with twin 300-hp outboards, which are projected to push top speed to the high 40-knot range (47–48 knots).
On a rare unrestricted stretch of Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway during our sea trial, the test boat with the 370-hp Yanmar reached a top speed of 35 knots while registering a total fuel burn of just 19.13 gallons per hour on the display. The Petestep hull lifted the 33C onto plane with virtually no bow rise; acceleration felt immediate and linear, making it easy to maintain an efficient cruise around 25 knots once you find the right throttle setting. Handling remained crisp and confident through turns at cruise speed, and the boat’s sightlines fore and aft are excellent. A venturi-style windshield deflects wind and spray effectively for a comfortable helm experience.
The helm itself is modern and well laid out, with space for twin 16-inch Simrad multifunction displays. The X-Power 33C includes a CZone Control & Monitoring system as standard equipment, a digital switching platform that centralizes control of refrigeration, lighting, navigation displays and entertainment. The CZone touchscreen is mounted face-up in the lower helm, where it’s intuitive to use (note that bright sun can create some glare). Luk pointed out that owners can customize preset modes—with one button you can call up a “Cruising Mode” to power on all multifunction displays or an “Unattended Mode” to switch systems off when leaving the boat.
Deck amenities reflect the 33C’s day-boat versatility: a spacious cockpit with generous seating, a convertible dining table and an on-deck galley that includes a sink and single-burner stove. One refrigerator drawer is standard with an optional second drawer available. The hardtop is an option that many owners will find worthwhile in sunny climates, and an extendable sunshade can also be specified. The foredeck offers a dual sunpad with a dedicated storage locker beneath, while the anchor locker opens from the bow “nose” and is engineered to present the anchor straight onto its mount every time. Walkaround side decks and molded grabrail slots in the hardtop enhance safety. Decks are finished in low-maintenance Flexiteek, with authentic teak offered as an upgrade.
Below decks, the Scandinavian design language continues in a tasteful, streamlined cabin. The 33C provides a large V-berth and an enclosed head. Our test boat’s interior featured glossy rosewood and brass fittings; an alternative finish of tinted oak with chrome hardware is available for a lighter, more contemporary look. The V-berth layout nods to the company’s sailboat roots, but otherwise the interior emphasizes comfort and functionality that suit a dedicated powerboat.
In short, the X-Power 33C blends thoughtful Scandinavian construction, an innovative Petestep hull and efficient single-diesel propulsion to create a capable, comfortable and attractive day boat that will also appeal to sailors who want a motorboat that reflects the same build quality as their cruising yacht.
Specifications:
LOA: 33’6”
Beam: 10’2”
Draft: 3’10”
Displ.: 8,818 lbs.
Power: (1) 370-hp Yanmar 8LV
This article was originally published in the June 2022 issue.