Xquisite X5 Catamaran. Review after sailing it 4,000 miles from a full-time liveaboard cruiser 

This boat is nothing short of an engineering benchmark. Awesome.

Honestly, this video is the best “unpaid advertisement” for the X5 that any manufacturer could hope for. This was enormously informative, and I too was very, very impressed with the yacht. The engineering thoughtfulness in the systems install and forethought of maintenance features is almost too awesome to believe. I worked for a large company that builds complex aircraft. Our engineers and management could learn a great deal from this amazing X5 build. Great episode - so informative and funny at times. Well done, Gentlemen 🥇😁

Steve, you were a wealth of information and unbiased opinion. It’s not biased if it’s true right? Exceptional Xquisite interview gentlemen. Job and sales well done for Phoenix Marine. You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

this is the best review I have heard from a man that has actually done it on more than one craft. ace big ups to this video

Best episode ever! This is the kind of detailed walk-through we armchair sailors and wannabees want to see. Having spent a few hours on an X5, I found myself nodding along with all of Mr. May's comments. This was not an ad; the boat the company, and its people really are that good. As little time as I have spent with Tamas and Rudolph, I am 100% sure they already have solutions to the main sail head issue (we talked about that in Miami), the location of the Glomax, and even the TV mount. I would bet they are already in the build for the next hull in the molds. The only criticism I have -- and it is very minor -- is that taller persons may find some of the spaces a little short on headroom, such as forward in the salon, and coming under the archway on either side of the cockpit. If you have $250K ready to put down on a $1.3MM (USD) boat (which will justifiably increase as demand will surely rise after this video gets thousands of views), then the X5 definitely deserves your consideration.

The discussion about the advantages of a heavier boat is invaluable. I've had my eyes on performance cruising cats, but the thoughts about what that means during a blow at 2 in the morning when the only other crew member is down below sleeping is priceless. It has probably changed my focus on cats. Thanks!!

Thanks Steve! I really appreciate your expertise and you confirmed my thoughts about this nice catamaran. Good job Graig!

Great review. I learned a ton of info. Thanks.

Craig, I can only say a word for this excllente interiew: CONGRATULATIONS ! I visited and tried at sea the X5 and I can say that it is almost perfect.

A first class interview and a great insight to a first class catamaran, many thanks.

Was a great interview about a great boat and about the fabric-team!! Thank you all...

EXCELLENT interview! Thank you!!!!!

Wow Craig, just excellent! This is a great overview. Very informative. Exactly what I was hoping for. Every boat is not a vacation, it is an expedition - with constant maintenance (watermaker, generator, parasail). Hearing from an experienced catamaran owner/sailer like Steve about the thought that went into the design to accommodate operation and upkeep confirms the quality commitment in the videos that went before, especially in the factory. No boat is perfect, but knowing that the design anticipates that - and the service level supports reinforces the build quality for the target owner - makes the Xquisite perhaps the best investment in its class.

Absolutely outstanding Episode...10/10

Wauw Craig this episode did blow my mind👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩great interview with lot's of facts and info 🎉👍🎉🌎⛵️

great review from Steve looking forward to seeing this boat next weekend

Good informative stuff like all the other episodes about this boat I've seen thus far.

Great review. I live 50km from Phoenix Marine and I am super proud of how the guys thought through the design and build of this boat. I am sure the few items pointed out that could be improved will be sorted the day I step onto my own!

When I retire this is the only boat for me! Thank you for the great info!

Yes, good interview and review of Xquistite X5 Catamaran, Tomas knows his catamarans that's true.

Excellent Video - Wish there were more like this!! Well done...

very nice review. It's a heavy catamaran but very solid build. With the luxury and high standard finishing plus the smart lay-out it looks like the Bentley of the catamarans. Pity it is out of my price range. Maybe in the future as second hand.

Hi Craig & Janice That was a great interview, shared experiences is a lot better than going out there and finding out for your self, maybe it can save time money and even a life

great info. thanks.

Having followed the delivery of this Cat, and subsequent reviews I am convinced I am joining this club, BZ, FN!

Great video!! I believe this vid will sell so many of these boats, your commision will by one for YOU.

Wow. Great interview

Great review of the X5. Seems like an awesome cat all around.

Craig another great vid very informative nice ti get the opinion from another cat sailor ..not a surprise about his thoughts on the boat. keep it up

Yes, I want one. -A

well definitely covers alotta concerns with this type of boat usage .l really like love the tech support and maintenance issues resolves along with an ipad to help with that .AND care in detail of wiring stated by the owner himself !! ALL THIS GOOD TO KNOW !!

First:) And brilliant interview. Now can we get another with the Oyster owner so we can put the cat vs mono debate to bed...

Great interview

Do more of this your in your zone and there's endless content to work with

Absolutely awesome boat and team behind this X5 boat. This is truly better than first world service! Cannot afford the price tag but aspire to owning a boat of this calibre, not just the boat but systems, ease of maintenance and first world technologies. I would love to see how "Oceanvolt saildrives" instead of the Yanmars would complememt a boat like this and then see real world performance of the electrical systems? Congrats to Thomas and his team. May you enjoy every success that you have worked for and ultimately deserve.

Craig thank you again what an amazing company if only I had the money required

Good on you Steve! Value your informed opinion. BZ!

OHH GREAT! Now I want one even more! Craig, please stop selling these beautiful yachts like you are! When I can finally afford one it’ll be a 5 year waiting list. Keep up the great videos , bud. I hope to see you and the Xquisite next week in Annapolis, cheers Doug in Vancouver

I have always found that it is probably best not to look at anything too far out of your budget because the quality of details and comfort, etc spoil you for what you CAN afford. Those beer budgets can be depressing after tasting fine wines. It doesn't hurt to dream though. Excellent episode, thanks Craig.

nice video crew! Cheers from the channel islands!

This is a great ( I was going to say counter review but that would be unfair, hopefully, people know what I mean) and different perspective of the review done by Sailing Yacht Ruby Rose. Fantastic job.

Craig ... chuckle ... You doing what almost every cop does ... interrupt a speaker ( adding a comment , interpreting his meaning without letting him finish, injecting YOUR story instead of his story). Let him tell his story. Cops do this with more frequency than most would feel comfortable with. Not saying don't add but after your speaker finishes.

Great episode - thanks for sharing ! I'm starting to save for an X5 :)

not only that it makes excellent storage for the crockery

Soif you punt along at around 6 knots it gives a real steady sail in water that can be described as unsettled or having a swell ?

as a master diesel tech and a qualified electrician to go im to an engine room or electrical panel that is well laid out saves hours of time in the diagnostic of a problem

Ulasan terbaik.

Awesome review! And still very impressed with this cat, but I would really like to see a open water review of the Majestic 530 as thats my favorite cat for the money plus I'm a scuba diver and the included compressor made the deal for me.

is this boat running sail drives? or prop and rudders( skeged)

I'm sold, when can I pick mine up? If you ever sail across Ontario down to Oswego NY, dinner's on me. This has been a great series, it's too bad it's almost over. Great job! Fair winds from your friend from Syracuse New York. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Late to the party ! I have watched this video a few times as I am interested in the two types . While not wanting to plug another channel I watched a video on The Sailing Family channel who had a Outremer 51 at the time and the video highlights exactly what Steve pointed out. The Vid is titled Fiji to Oz and it is a direct comparison between the Outremer 51 and a Privilege 585 , Zatara. During the passage while motoring for days there was no real difference except fuel consumption and 1/2 knot of speed . Once they got some wind on the beam they both sailed at roughly the same pace less about 1 kt and the Outremer owner openly stated how good the 585 was going for its size, surprised him. However once they went more downwind the Outremer took off and put quite a few miles between them. Seth the owner of the Outremer said it gets uncomfortable over 10 knots and his wife and kids start getting sick, and you see this happening in the video. He echoed Steve's words in your video , The boat can do it but can you . Cheers for the content , very informative .

fyi the sony OLED tv can be seen at any angle! It is nice to hear there is a company thats run the proper way! They should and will go a far way to get market share. The capitalistic way it should be! Thanx!

Absolute fantastic review.. Love it.. I do however think that while talking you could be showing 'a bit' more Pictures from the Specially things you mention..

as a disabled sailor this sail plan would mean I could single hand it big ups !!

Great interview Craig and very well articulated Steve. 5star Two years ago I was on this model as an electrical mechanical technician Eng, the quality was over the top then.... I know they have made even more improvements sinces then . Solar being one of the Biggies For years people have always mentioned that the Antares was the cruisers Cadillac boat. Well Antares step aside we've got a new BOY on the block. Great info ....just wished I won that 66 million this weekend eh Craig???😏 Now back to the Lagoons 😁 Dam sometimes I hate waching these dam videos 🤔🤔😂😂 Fairwinds from the @captains.chair

Good guy i belief him

A washer/dryer and a dishwasher are musts in terms of health, hygiene & reducing workload/stress. Technology has advanced significantly while costs are lowered.

I lived aboard for over 12 years greatest was aboard a COLUMBIA34. Sailed the Canadian BC COAST and raced it single handed like a dingy

Getting this video late, but it's incredibly helpful, and I am super impressed. At the same time, I'm looking at all the stuff you saying about the company sending a guy out to St. Helena to help you with your watermaker, and wondering 1) did any of this have to do with your running a RU-vid channel? and 2) assuming it does not and they really would do it for everybody who owns one of their boats, will it be possible for them to keep it up when they have sold a lot more boats?

What would be the ideal sailing Catamaran with motors that's in-between cruise and performance in the 35 ft to 49 ft range, where also daggeeboards might not be necessary?

Craig...you love this boat so much, it makes ME blush. Don't kid yourself and FIND a way to own one. I am sure Xquisite would..or actually should work with you to make it happen. RU-vid has afforded a spectacular platform to the sailing community for owners, manufacturers and most of all perspective owners and dreamers alike. One needs to not look far to see how " marketing" has worked for Outremer and Amel, as two examples. The demand..on RU-vid..for more info and reviews of Xquisite is off the charts. Imo..this is because of your vlog. I hope they work with you and help make your " dream" boat affordable in the long run. It would be great marketing and fun for all involved. Just my dopey opinion!!

This is a great interview. I’ve decided my dry weight cutoff, in general, is about 13t. I can go less but the boat must be compelling. In an airplane analogy it’s like flying a Mooney which is fast but you have to stay ahead of, compared to a Piper or Cessna which are more forgiving, but slower.

Thanks guys for your honesty and info.... Lastly, can you tell me how much this boat is? I'm trying to find the right boat with the right price to circumnavigate comfortably around the world.

I just don't want a performance cat because they are dangerous to my low key family. It was a great interview Craig, and the X5 is quite a nice boat. I may be getting to go to Annapolis, I just don't know yet. I have to solve the accommodation problem first. Hotels are hard to find, thus I am looking at hotels a little South of Annapolis.

Stop interrupting ur guest let him talk he is the specialist

Great video of two sailors talking about their boat! Next time can you tell us about the use of the Ipad?

Great review. How does this boat compare in your opinion to Priviledge 510? Thanks.

How do you tack with the big headsail when jib is that close to it? Do you have to furl it in and then unfurl on the other side?

I want something that I can take across the atlantic/ pacific wit no major problem

Great chat - too bad of the X5 looks.

I would like to know how the X5 compares to the leopard 50P

I hate it when the interviewer talks more than the person he’s interviewing. But…what a superb boat!

I have been out on a performance cat Irish sea crossing I would not choose a afast cat again most of my expieriance has been in monohullsgetting to a stage where I just look to cruise

I feel like there is a lot of room for a middleground between a 6 and a half ton cat and a 25 ton cat. In the same length range you can get a super light HH or Balance (16 ton max loaded), or you can go for something a bit heavier like a Seawind 1600 (still pretty light at 13 tons unloaded) or FP at almost 16 tons unloaded and still get a good quality interior with the modcons, but not sacrificing the ability to go faster. It seems like it would be much easier to make a lighter, fast cat slower and more comfortable than to make a heavy weight perform better if you want to get in some of those exciting sailing moments.

Just wondering if a front cockpit like the leopard's is really useful

I am an engine diagnostic specialist that has ben in business for 30 yearsI am also known as the van whisperer in southwales I love this boat I just want to be set loose onit

how does it compare to lets say a 50 foot lagoon in sailability - and vs a 51 outremar

Hi Craig and Steve, I'm in research for electric power consumption / generation onboard. With twice the solar panel, I see on a lot of your videos plans the hydrogenerator set on the back of the boat (while often not in use). Of course this luxurious cat will consume a lot of power, with large fridges, electronics... and the dishwasher... But really, how is power managment ? Did you have to use the hydrogenerator or the diesel generator often ? If yes, finally, are the additionals solar panel worth it ? Thanks !

How about those dashew ketches from the 80s/90s averaging 300 a day, now that's fast, plus they were designed for liveaboard. I guess marina fees are the reason the long and thin design didn't stick in the industry.

will be more fair if you compare the X5 with modern perfomance cats, not with the 10 or more years old cat ) compare to Outremer 51 or Seawind 1600. and of course if you want to take the hole appartment to the sea so X5 is the best ) and motoring in light winds

It's always the impeller

What performance Cat does he have now?

what average speed did you achieve?

I'll take one, actually no, I'll take TWO of those right away.

This conversation about comfort vs performance and the relative merits of both is interesting... for me, I’ve always preferred a heavier hull because of the obvious improvements in ride quality and overall durability gained with thicker glass (or whatever the hull material is). Heavier hulls also sit better at the dock and anchor than (lighter) “performance” hulls, and are more stable in conditions involving wind and chop. Back in the 1980s (and before) builders used to tout the weight of their hulls as a reflection of their overall strength and quality. These days builders brag about the low weight of their hulls and make claims about their speed and strength. If they are strong, why do their hulls flex so much? Why do they crack like eggshells from even moderate impacts? Many 40ft cats today have considerably more interior volume than 50 ft monohulls from 25 years ago. More volume of course correlates to more living and storage space. But foot for foot today’s hulls have far less displacement even though they’re loaded with gadgets. How much would they weigh if they weren’t loaded up with today’s plethora of toys and electronic conveniences? Hulls from the old days were not just heavier - IMHO they were much stronger. In fairness a speedier hull improves an ability to outrun weather and that is a consideration too. So which is better, a boat offering strength, stability and ride quality or one offering “performance”?

Honestly it depends which can of sailor you want to be and which kind of boat you want to own. do you want to be very slow in condo comfort or very fast without comfort or fast in loosing a bit of comfort.? Everything is about weight. 1000 lbs of added weight is minus 1 knot speed approximately. As for capsizing I would like to moderate it.. because for that you need very small lightweight boat.. are heavy boat accepting gust of wind better...no way it is a mistake.. a performance boat will translate the increase of wind to velocity and lighten the pressure on rig and spars. By the opposite an heavy boat will accumulate the pressure as he is less capable to translate speed. this could lead to breakages and failures.. in my opinion 50.000 Lbs for 50 feet is very very heavy.

Just before 35:34 he is talking about other boats targeting these same customers as this one, and mentions a Privilege, but also mentions “the discovery”- do you know who that is? It sounds familiar but not aware of a catamaran by that name. Ah, a bit of googling and it looks like maybe they went out of business?

Second lol

I am in the market for a cat that is in the description above I am reasonably experienced sailor my young lady is not so with this boat I can leave her on watch with no real worries

Craig, you say you don’t “have an iron in the fire” but your startup screen thanks your sponsors and includes their logo....help me understand?

the proof of the pudding is in the eating exquisiy has proven good to its word

jeez, if you're interviewing the guy, let HIM speak !!

Your comment about your Beneteau's wiring being ... let's say less than ideal was less than enjoyable. I've been looking at inexpensive monos to get started with a live-aboard scenario and crappy wiring layouts is definitely going to be a problem.

sit me on the bot across the atlantic I will tell you if there is a problem LOL

you should have asked him if he would hand over his own money for one.

I like the information, but if you are open to a criticism, when you are interviewing someone, let them speak. If you are saying more words then them, you are doing something wrong...and if you are saying 3X their words, and even answering how they fell, "I know you were Super Impressed when you saw the factory" then what's the point of the interview, you turned them into a prop.

You have this experienced cat sailor and you keep adding your comments. I would have rather heard more of him and less of you.

What was your average speed

He cites Apple and Steve Jobs with his attention to details nobody is likely to see but Apple are not made to be repaired. People who offer repair services are sued by Apple. Wrong analogy.

everyone wants dishwasher including the ones that say they dont, specially when it's your turn to do the dishes.