Beginning in the family barn
In 1979, the Jeppesen brothers, Lars and Niels, set out to build sailboats on the Danish peninsula. Based in Haderslev, the two brothers were not professionals in the shipbuilding industry, and had no funds to invest in the creation of a shipyard.
But the siblings' perseverance, combined with a salutary meeting with Birgen Hansen, a famous shipbuilder, enabled them to found one of the most renowned shipyards in Denmark.
The first model launched by the Danish trio is the X-79, a keelboat of almost 8 meters. Designed for racing, or very short cruising, the X-79 won the Danish Sjælland Rundt and the famous Swedish Tjørn Rundt, which at the time was the largest Scandinavian regatta with more than 2,000 boats competing.
These victories brought the X-79 a good reputation and nearly 500 units were built
The X-102, based on the same specifications as its little brother, was launched later. With this recognition, the shipyard was named X-Yachts in 1984.
X-99: the bestseller
Launched in 1985, the X-99 benefited from the nascent reputation of the Danish shipyard and a hundred units were pre-ordered even before the launch of the first model in the series. The site of Haderslev must be enlarged to answer the new needs. The specifications of the X-99 is to carry out a powerful livable sailing ship, which will be able to fill the regatta sailors while bringing a suitable interior volume. The productive capacities of the shipyard being still limited, the X-99 is proposed only in one version.
This 10-meter keelboat, which will be produced in 605 units, will confirm its status as a leader in the fast sailing boat market in Europe, but also in the United States and Asia.
Thanks to this new success, X-Yachts established itself at the end of the 80's as an international reference in the competitive racing-cruise market.
A turn towards cruising, without denying the regatta
With their expertise in building fast sailboats, the Danish trio decided to create a new range dedicated to cruising, but without denying their racing DNA. In 1987, X-Yachts launched a cruising version of the X-452, which was the first non-racing model.
In the 90's, the shipyard divided its production between series based on cruising and racing yachts, but also prototypes. It thus specialized in the manufacture of fast, well-built sailboats from 30 to 73 feet. The design office manages to follow the complex evolutions of the IOR, IMS, IRC or ORC gauges, in order to guarantee a high level of competitiveness to its sailboats.
In 2000, the shipyard launched the IMX 40, which won numerous victories in IRC and IMS. It will be followed by the IMX 45, which will win many victories, both offshore and inshore.
In 2007, the shipyard launched a One Design X-35, a one-design produced in more than 200 units and which is now highly sought after on the second-hand market.
In 2009, X-Yachts launched the XCruising range, giving its yachts a larger interior volume, while maintaining very good performance under sail.
A neat construction
The hull and deck of the "X" are constructed of vacuum infused sandwiches. The use of epoxy resin and Corecell foam, as well as an oven passage, confer a high quality of manufacturing. Assembled on a galvanized steel frame, this process ensures excellent rigidity while guaranteeing a respected weight estimate. Fittings and hardware are chosen from top of the range suppliers. Faithful to its Scandinavian origins, X-Yachts takes meticulous care in the choice and installation of the woodwork.
Every detail of the manufacturing process is carefully considered to obtain an optimal final result.
A range of race-cruise
In 40 years of activity, the X-Yachts shipyard has launched nearly 6000 units. The shipyard builds an average of one hundred units per year, divided into 3 ranges from 40 to 56 feet: XCruising, XRange and XPerformance.
In 2008, the Danish Ib Kunøe bought the shares of Lars and Birger. Niels Jeppesen will remain with the company and will continue to head the architecture and design department.
In 2021, the shipyard has also given in to market pressure by embarking on the production of a power boat, the X-Power 33C, taking up the quality of manufacture for which the Danish shipyard is renowned.
