“SOME SAY THAT IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT GOALS, BUT WHEN CROSSING OCEANS ABOARD THE SELF-RELIANT XQUISITE SIXTY SOLAR SAIL, YOU TAKE THE VILLAGE WITH YOU.”
– by Herb McCormick, Cruising World
The Visionary Behind the Helm
At the heart of Xquisite Yachts is founder Tamas Hamor, whom McCormick playfully suggests “might just be the most interesting man in the marine industry.” Hamor’s simple declaration, “‘I like to solve problems,’ he told us, which seemed to sum him up well”, speaks volumes about the driving force behind the Sixty Solar Sail’s innovations. McCormick notes how, “In the Sixty, Hamor taken his explosive creativity to new levels in detail after detail.”
The Xquisite Genesis:
A Journey of Resilience
The Xquisite story began not in a boardroom but on the open ocean. Tamas and his wife Sara’s voyage across the Pacific, which included a dismasting near French Polynesia, fueled their determination. This experience, coupled with challenges in building their next boat, led them to establish Xquisite Yachts. Today, their cats are built in South Africa and Spain, with Xquisite now operating a full-service marina and resort in Freeport, Bahamas, dedicated to sales, charter, service, training, fine dining, and more.
Aesthetics and Design:
A “Nautical Starship Enterprise”
McCormick was clearly struck by the Sixty Solar Sail’s unique look. While the earlier multiaward winner X5 model reminded a Boat of the Year team judge of a “Nike basketball sneaker”, he asserts that with the Sixty, “any semblance of awkwardness” is gone. Instead, it “has the sleek, streamlined, contemporary appearance of a nautical Starship Enterprise.”
From its “powerful, purposeful mien” with reverse bows and integral sprit to the “low-slung, streamlined coachroof” and carbon-fiber “Park Avenue” boom, the yacht exudes advanced design. “To say there’s a lot going on is an understatement,” McCormick remarks on its myriad of well-thought-out features.
Technical Innovation
for Self-Reliant Cruising
The Sixty Solar Sail is engineered for autonomy and performance. Its substantial 7 kW solar array (comprising nearly 40 individual panels) feeds a 60 kWh lithium battery bank and a robust 48-volt electrical system, designed to “cover all house loads at anchor, including air conditioning, which negates the need for an onboard diesel generator.”
For propulsion, it features an optional hybrid setup: two 110 hp Yanmar diesel engines with sail drives, paired with 15 kW electric motors/generators. These can operate in regeneration mode under sail or propel the boat electrically before the diesels take over. The hull, a vacuum-infused foam-core laminate with vinylester resin, is meticulously hand-laid above the waterline.
Superior Sailing, Uncompromised Comfort
Designed for ease of handling, often by a couple just as Tamas and Sara started, the Sixty Solar Sail doesn’t skimp on performance or luxury. McCormick recounts their test sail: “We started off with the big code sail on a beam reach and effortlessly glided along at just over 10 knots.” Even when switching down to the genoa, “we sheeted in everything and still clocked a respectable 7-plus knots.”
His conclusion? “On the Sixty, it was clear that making rapid miles will never be an issue.” The interior spaces are equally impressive, from the “grand owner’s hull, to port, has a king-size berth; a lounging area with a couch and desk,” to the well-appointed guest staterooms. Seamless integration between indoor and outdoor areas enhances the generous living space.
Technical Specifications
- Architect
- Length Overall
- Beam
- Draft
- Mainsail area
- Sail area – Genoa
- Light Displacement
- Fresh / Black water
- Battery Pack
- Diesel Engines
- Electric Engines
- Solar Panels
- Diesel
- Hybrid Propulsion
The Verdict:
Traversing Oceans in an Innovative Marvel
Herb McCormick aptly concludes that while owners of Xquisite Yachts might not always be on epic voyages, “when they do, they will set sail in one of the most innovative, interesting catamarans traversing any ocean.” The Xquisite Sixty Solar Sail, through his lens, is a testament to visionary design and a commitment to the future of cruising.
Explore the Full Story
Special thanks to Herb McCormick and Cruising World for this insightful and beautifully written review. To read the complete article and delve deeper into the Xquisite Sixty Solar Sail, we encourage you to visit Cruising World’s website and explore their subscription options.
