Featured: XO Boats 260
Designed for often brutal Scandinavian sea conditions, the Finnish XO Boats 260 offers the comforts of a sports cruiser with a go-anywhere attitude.
The XO Boats fleet has been created using a quite simple philosophy. From rough and windy weathers to calm and carefree boating, XO creates boats that can handle any conditions and any environment, no matter how rough the weather. In short, XO brings the design and driving experience of professional vessels to recreational boating.
Launched in 2006 by Sakari Mattila, the renowned Finnish boat designer behind brands such as Saxdor Yachts, Axopar, Aquador and Paragon, XO Boats models have been designed to withstand some of the most challenging conditions in the Baltic Sea. This includes sea ice that can cause havoc for the thousands of Finnish boat owners who use their vessels not only for recreation, but for commuting from the country’s 6000-plus islands.
Every boat features a military-grade aluminium deep-vee hull combined with a traditional GRP layout. The result is great seamanship married with the creature comforts you expect from a sporty cruiser.
A sharp upright bow mated to the hull with a deadrise angle of 23 degrees at the transom makes for an incredibly soft ride, while outboard engine options up to 400hp can deliver a top speed in excess of 50kt. The full suspension seats for both the driver and co-pilot offer comfort in serious conditions.
At 8.1m (26ft 7in) long, the new 260 range is even more stable and voluminous than its predecessors. With the same hull as a baseline, you can choose from the full-cover cabin (EXPLR), the T-top (DSCVR) or the open cruiser (DSCVR OPEN).
The boat accommodates two people although it can seat eight. It comes standard with a toilet, while air-conditioning and a heater are optional.
The Adventure Boat Company is the exclusive distributor for XO Boats in Australia, and the company says demand for the XO Boats brand is strongest in southern Victoria and Tasmania, where sea conditions can change in an instant.
As XO Boats' motto of ‘When others stay in port’ attests, the new XO260 range is the type of boat that is heading out when the rest are staying inshore.
QUICK SPECS
PRICED FROM $169,995 (inc. GST)
LENGTH 8.1m (26ft 7in)
BEAM 2.55m (8ft 4in)
DISPLACEMENT (ex. engine) 2200kg
FUEL 315L
WATER 45L
ENGINE Single 225-400hp Mercury Verado
TOP SPEED 50kt