The X5 is a total success. This “turn-key” catamaran is attractive with its rigorous specifications, fall top of the range equipment and exacting quality. The ease of use by a short-handed crew is undisputable, and the watchkeeper does not need to panic at the prospect of changing a headsail or reefing the main.
Derived directly from the X5, the Plus retains an unconventional silhouette that may dissuade some from going beyond appearances... but that would be a shame.
X5 Sail and X5 Power in Multihulls World Magazine 2017 Buyer's Guide
In 2010, the Dean 5000 became a big hit at the La Rochelle boat show, but then the actual launch of this model got bogged down with the various problems at the yard which eventually led to its demise. Phoenix Marine, a major South African manufacturer (in the composites fabrication and shipyard sector) bought the rights to the plans and asked architect Rudolf Jonker to take up the project and design a completely new boat within the existing lines: the Xquisite X5. We were able to get a first look and try her out in some great weather conditions.
Multihulls World magazine has published the full test of the X5 in their latest issue (MW #150).
What is comfort at sea? With our landlubber reflexes, the first criterion that comes to mind will undoubtedly be space. The longer we stay on board, the more important it will be. Going off for a couple of weeks with eight friends to the Caribbean on a 40-foot catamaran generally goes very well - as long as everyone does their bit.
Phoenix Marine Manufacturing, Xquisite Yachts' South African partner, has just moved the production line dedicated to the Xquisite X5 catamaran. The new factory actually allows three boats to be built at the same time, therefore the customers’ demands can be met more rapidly.
We approved of the Xquisite Yachts X5 when we tested it, a little under two years ago now. The builder’s sales results demonstrate that we hadn’t exaggerated, because to date the order book is wellfilled.