There are a lot of reasons for the appearance of an article in the yacht magazine: a premiere, a new modification of a well-known model, a new equipment or original devices, a recent test … Somehow I happened to be present at the meeting of the customer of the XO 270 with the seller and observe some confusion of the first caused by the abundance of the proposed variations and difficulty in making a decision. What is not a reason for publishing?
Design
We have already written about the modifications of this boat, so I will touch on the main positions of its appearance and layout, dwelling on the key points.
Today, there are six models in the line of the Finnish brand XO (Extra Ordinary), while the XO 270 is represented by the Cabin (“C”, chopping) and Front Cabin (“FC”, chopping and bow cabin) versions, each with stationary or outboard engines (OB index, Outboards).
Outwardly brutal (and in character), the boat is distinguished by an aluminum alloy hull with sharp shapes and a keel line rising to a straight stem, a high cutting of a characteristic silhouette with a solid glazing area, a vertical windshield and a glass bulkhead with a door in the stern. Instead of painting used carbon film 3M, and the most spectacular vessel looks "in black."
The Cabin version, in addition to the door in the stern, has a passage from the cabin to the bow cockpit. The cabin is light and well ventilated through two sliding roof hatches. Behind the wheelchair at the helm (there is a refrigerator at the bottom) there can be a small sofa or galley block with a sink and a place for tiles. On the left side there is a dinette-transformer (it turns into a sleeping place for two) with a reversible backrest of the sofa in its nose part.
On a compact steering console, an MFD chartplotter with a diagonal of 16 "dominates (do not install larger), all controls are at hand: there is no need to reach for the engine grips, and the view from here is excellent. And under the console behind the curtain there is a“ closet ”with a bed, close to adult, but suitable for children or as a storage room for luggage. This is on the Cabin, and on the Front Cabin there is a bow cabin with a large sliding top hatch (as on a sailing yacht) through which you can get on the deck. in the console on the left b mouth – small, rather small, but it's there, and it only increases the functionality of the boat.
The Cabin's deep fore cockpit is equipped with lockers-seats on the starboard side; on the Front Cabin fordeck zapalublen. What is preferable? It depends on the usage model of the boat. Cockpit is more convenient for walking and fishing, where you can even install a removable table, the cabin version is more suitable for a long stay on the water.
The aft part also varies. On a boat with suspension, the cockpit is deeper; on the transom – railing with a folding seat; on the sides – folding banks. With a stationary engine, the deck is raised and the rail is shifted to the cabin doors; it is easy to get into the engine compartment through the hatch on gas supports, whereas the model with manhole suspension systems and, accordingly, lock compartments has two. A higher bulwark seems more attractive to me, but here it all depends on what the boat is for: walking, fishing or transporting something that is important, say, for Finns who are actively walking between the islands of the archipelago.
Suspension or “hospital”?
I prefer outboard motors. Two suspension systems in terms of reliability (probability of failure) are more attractive than one diesel engine. You can profit on installation, systems, and maintenance of the suspension is easier and cheaper. Instead of the engine compartment, useful lockers appear, and by lifting the motors, you can walk in half-waters, which is not possible with the column.
The XO 270 can stand outboard engines: one with a capacity of 250–350 liters. with. or two 150–250 liters each. p., as well as the "hospital" 300-370 liters. with. Regarding pendant, it is important to know that the manufacturer is pre-installing systems for Mercury (including Simrad electronics); installation of motors of other brands will require additional costs. And what did the tests show? Comparing the dynamics of the boat with the suspension and the "hospital", we compare the options with the maximum power settings.
With a Volvo Penta D6-370 diesel engine and a DPH column (quiet water, two people on board, 90% fuel), the maximum speed was 43.1 knots (3600 rpm). On cruising 30 knots (2700 rev / min) fuel consumption was about 35 l / h, which, with a fuel tank capacity of 315 liters, corresponds to a cruising range of 243 miles (with a 10% reserve).
With two Yamaha F250 Offshore (a total of 500 hp), the speed at a small wave (four people on board, 100% fuel) was almost 49 knots (5800 rpm). At the same economy mode of 30 knots (4000 rpm) the flow rate was already 76 l / h, and the cruising range was 160 miles (450 l fuel tank). Note that in both variants the volume of the tank can be increased. But as they say, feel the difference!
If you want to save, you can install two engines of 200 liters. with. The speed limit will drop to 43 knots (in my opinion, not critical). The same with the “stationary”: there is an option with the Volvo Penta D4‑300 – loss of travel at a maximum of 3-4 knots, but the profitability will grow by 15%.
Now about the dynamics of acceleration, controllability, seaworthiness and noise. With powerful hangers, gliding is already occurring at 12–14 knots (3200–3400 rpm); acceleration to 40 knots takes a little over 20 s. During acceleration, a trim of up to 7 ° is observed, due to heavy motors (half a ton on the transom itself gives a static trim aft up to 3 °); All this is easily regulated by transom plates. The boat with the Volvo Penta D6-370 is also quite dynamic: it goes briskly to gliding, and it picks up 30 knots in just 9 seconds.
Regardless of the type of engine, XO 270 is well on the course, obedient to the steering wheel, stable when maneuvering. At medium speeds, the roll in the circulation is noticeable (20 °), and at high speeds it decreases to 10 ° (circulation diameter is about 20 m); cheekbone holds, the speed drop is small, the drift does not appear. Handling at low speed does not cause questions: it may even seem unnecessary nasal podrulka, although during the mooring during and during the wind, doubts will disappear.
The meter wave is a relatively heavy body with a full-fledged "deep V" (24 ° on the transom) passes gently, without strikes and approach. On the regular half-meter ripple, no delphination was recorded.
As for the noise, then at idle two Yamaha F250 Offshore barely audibly chirping like well-oiled sewing machines: noise in the cabin 56 dB (A) with the door closed; at full speed it rises to 81 dB (A). Approximately the same performance with a stationary motor, although the ear feels that there is more noise.
In general, according to many who sat at the XO 270 steering wheel, it is a pleasure to operate this boat – even with a turbo diesel engine, even with suspension brackets. I share this opinion.
P. S. I hope this information will help someone to quickly determine the modification. And we expect the appearance of new models in the XO line, which has already been announced, however, without any details. Intrigue is one of the marketing tools!
Text Alexei Maximov Photo XO Boats
Chief Editor
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What do you think?