Can a Luxury Catamaran Actually Sail? Xquisite 54′ E-PLUS Cape Town Sea Trial Video
Can a Luxury Catamaran Actually Sail?
Xquisite 54′ E-PLUS Cape Town Sea Trial Video
Sailing Nandji’s Josh recently joined the Phoenix Marine team in Cape Town for a shakedown sail on the latest X54′ E-PLUS, hull name Hancock 3.0.
Having toured the Phoenix factory in a previous episode, this time he was there to sail it.
Having toured the Phoenix factory in a previous episode, this time he was there to sail it.
Before heading out, David from Xquisite’s South Africa QC team gave a detailed walkthrough. The helm station runs dual B&G displays with CZone touchscreen control, electric winches, and color-coded lines – everything positioned so the boat can be sailed single-handed from one spot.
Video: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=zyhX82wCykQ
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Walkthrough with David
The parallel hybrid drivetrain pairs a Yanmar 4-cylinder SD60 saildrive with an Integral 15 kW electric motor per hull, drawing from a 44 kWh lithium battery bank split across 48V and 24V systems – enough stored energy to motor in and out of anchorages on electric alone. Every critical system has a manual backup, and CZone automation ties it all together so the entire boat’s power state can be managed from a single touchscreen.
Mast and boom cameras feed the helm screens for full visibility during sail handling and docking.
Below decks, the furniture is tabbed and glassed directly into the hull structure – foam-core panels with veneer keep weight down while eliminating movement and noise. Freshwater toilets, soundproofed engine rooms. The galley has a full island bench with dishwasher, induction hobs, and an oven/microwave combo. The owner’s suite spans the full beam with a walk-in closet and washer/dryer forward.
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X54′ E-PLUS SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications & options may be refined as development progresses.
- CE Certification
- Beam
- Displacement
Lightship - Length Overall
- Draft
- Fuel Capacity
- Parallel Hybrid NEW Propulsion system
- Solar Panels
On the Water: 20-30 Knots
Skipper John took Hancock 3.0 into a building Cape Town southeaster. The results:
- Main alone, 16 kt breeze: 6 knots
- Full genoa + main, 28 kt apparent at 64°: 9.4 kn over ground
- Code sail downwind, 25 kt true: 8.5 kn
- Code zero in 10-13 kt: 8 kn
Josh went below during the upwind beat to test for noise. The interior was silent – just waves against the hull.
“The vessel felt stiff and solid, comfortable at all times. Any cruising boat comfortably sailing at 10 knots is nothing to dismiss.”
Owner Training
Every X54′ E-PLUS comes with a two-week owner training programme and access to a dedicated owner’s portal. As David put it:
“The vessel is very complex, but it’s also very easy to live on and to sail.”
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X54′ E-PLUS SPECIFICATIONS
- CE Certification
- Beam
- Displacement
Lightship - Length Overall
- Draft
- Fuel Capacity
- Parallel Hybrid NEW Propulsion system
- Solar Panels
Thank you for putting our boat through her paces!
Be sure to subscribe to all their adventures on the
Sailing Nandji YouTube Channel
Sailing Nandji YouTube Channel
Xquisite 54′ E-PLUS
Production Schedule & Availability
Xquisite Yachts is founded in 2014, specializes in designing and building luxury sailing and power catamarans. Known for their multi-award-winning craftsmanship and innovative design, our yachts are tailored to provide exceptional comfort, safety, and sustainability for discerning adventurers worldwide. Customers can purchase finished yachts or place a custom order, with the option to try before they buy through the company’s charter program.
We have been FULL TIME live-aboard sailors, traveling around the world for 8 years now – follow the journey on Sailing Nandji! Having no idea how to sail, we bought an old, run-down 40ft Bruce Roberts and did our best to get her ready for anything. Then we got stuck on remote islands off Malaysia and created life. Now a family of 3, plus our Whippet, we upgraded to a Bob Perry-designed Tayana 47 for the Indian Ocean. 8000 miles later, here we are in AFRICA!
