After working there for a short time, Finland brings back some vivid memories for me, such as walking on the frozen sea, watching ice breakers struggling to open the Gulf of Bothnia, and, most of all, the extreme conditions presented by Arctic winds howling down the 65 degree northern latitude — a very different boating scenario from Australia, I hear you say.
Yet having huddled around my yacht stove in the Australian summer in Tasmania, and having been scared by the Melbourne rip, there are occasions where a rugged boat is necessary — that's the thought process of the new Sydney-based dealership Adventure Boats, which has imported the first alloy-hulled Finnish utilities, the XO260.
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The brains behind this brand is none other than Sakari Mattila, whose ingenuity has already been established in other brands he has co-founded — namely Paragon, Aquador, Axopar, and Saxdor. The popularity of the brands built to withstand more rugged conditions is apparent in Australia by the large numbers sold — more than 100 have already found homes. There is, then, a demand here in the niche market. Enter the XO260.
It was built for Finnish waters, but works just as well here
Artificial teak deck offsets the charcoal colour nicely
Mattila founded XO Boats in 2008 and then moved away from the brand in 2011, leaving partner Erkki Talvela as the current CEO.
BUSINESS BLUEPRINT
XO Boats has sharpened up its pricing by opting for economies-of-scale and a more competitive labour market, making them confident they can deliver builds that aren't outrageously priced.
“Thanks to our new Polish plant, we can increase our production volume and offer a better price/performance ratio,” explains Talvela.
Originally, the hulls were fabricated in Finland by alloy specialist Campnou, based in Ähtäri. The hulls are still fabricated in Finland and shipped to Poland for final assembly.
Rough conditions on review day were handled with aplomb
THE BASICS
Launched in Düsseldorf last year, the XO260 replaces the 250 model, with the major addition of a toilet. The 260 has the same beam as the established 270 model, improving both stability and cabin volume. The latter feature is especially prominent as side decks aren't used — a sturdy door gives access to the bow instead.
Given that this fairly small 26 foot hull can reach 50kt with the maximum engine size fitted, the 400hp Mercury and generous beam are welcome, as is the deep V hull, which has enough deadrise (22 degrees) to minimise drag and help straight-line stability, as I discovered when bashing through a strong southerly and metre-high swells at Sydney Heads.
COSY AFT DECK
The small deck area is mostly filled by seating on three sides but the gunwale ones flip down, which is also required when accessing the hull lazarette. Two other gunwale lockers are large enough for fenders, ropes, or a slab of beer. A double transom bench is well-cushioned, which means this is a comfy area — ideally with a canvas cover added at anchor.
The tall wheelhouse has a gantry and handrails, which are ideal for affixing items.
Another good option fitted was the ski gantry on our boat, and there's water access on each side with a ladder on port.
Unlike forebears such as the Axopar, the transom is more than a foot above the water, making it unlikely to be pooped by following waves or when in reverse, as I found out. The deep well in front of the motor allows the outboard to be tilted high up when not in use. Additionally, there are self-drains.
Opening the lazarette reveals the bare alloy structure with neat welding, and contains all the main systems. Our review boat came with optional artificial teak, so cool and grippy for bare feet in the hot Australian sun.
Bracing is easy inside
Accessing all areas of the boat is simple thanks to the centre walk through
“Open the electric sunroof and with the aft sliding door ajar you'll find a nice, airy cabin”
White is an optional colour that would work well to keep temperatures down in the Australian sun
SIMPLE SALOON
Tall vertical bulkheads support the voluminous wheelhouse, a functional space with huge toughened glass windows that wrap around the front to reduce windage. Open the electric sunroof and with the aft sliding door ajar you'll find a nice, airy cabin. Some may find its grey fibreglass somewhat austere, but it's easily wiped down and the thick cushioning on the seating is fine. Flooring is hard-wearing rubber on the walkway leading to the forward area.
There is a dinette to port ,with L-shaped benches and another bench to starboard, which could be optioned to become a galley. The foldout table also lowers to become a small double berth. More dining seating is available by turning around the two navigation seats. These are strongly engineered with springs and are fully adjustable. Perishables have a small Dometic fridge that should easily be powered by the 70A alternator on the Mercury outboard.
The console, on starboard, is simply laid out around the adjustable electronic steering wheel. The 12in Simrad NSS screen is centre-stage and incorporates the Mercury Vessel View software. Around the screen are all the essential controls, throttle, and tabs outboard and optional Lewmar bow thruster inboard. The magnetic compass was offset to port, so is not ideal for getting your bearings. Chunky buttons control all basic functions such as the lights and the moveable search light on the top of the wheelhouse. Other essentials include the fuel cut-off and power kill switches at ankle height, along with the VHF radio.
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Hidden inside the smoothly moulded forward port bulkhead on the XO260 is a sizeable space with the electric toilet that does not require contortions to use due to the absence of a sink. Running water would be welcome without having to order the galley option or 45L pressure tank system, but overall I really liked the wheelhouse and quality throughout, which fits the XO260 ethos to a tee.
The two navigation seats have folding arms that braced me nicely when being knocked about off Sydney Heads. Bracing — for moving around — ideally requires an additional longitudinal hand rail through the middle of the wheelhouse. This really is an all-weather boat after all.
The bow is a comfortable entertaining area
FOREDECK LOUNGE
Moving to the foredeck is done via the sturdy forward wheelhouse door which has generous rubber sealing. The gunwale is wide enough on each side of the wheelhouse to allow agile boaters to edge along whilst grasping the handrail on each side, as I did when retrieving the fenders attached to the handrail.
The tall topsides create a nicely protected bow area where seating on each side is cosy and the pulpit can safely be accessed. Storage space is under the benches as well, and the sole is self-draining. The deep chain locker is revealed when the lid is opened and the horizontal Lewmar windlass can be used once the fold-out anchor arm is deployed, also via remote control.
The deep chain locker is unobtrusive and easily hidden;
Plenty of space allows the outboard to be tilted forward without impinging on space
“I was happy to be fully braced at the helm of the XO260 as we slammed into metre-high southerly swells”
I'd have also made a ladder to sit over the bow as the shallow forefoot is ideal for beachings, especially with the rubber bumper protecting the plumb bow. Tall pulpit handrails are also ideal for disembarking here.
Once anchored simply sit back, switch on the Fusion stereo that is piped throughout the hull, and enjoy XO260's ambience.
Springs under the seat absorb rough rides; The head is tucked away
SYDNEY'S SOUTHERLY BLOW
Rain clouds gathered above the Spit Bridge in Sydney and the forecast gave a strong wind warning, so I was happy to be fully braced at the helm of the XO260 as we slammed into metre-high southerly swells that washed through the Heads. There's few boats I've recently tested that would do this at 30kt as I was doing on the XO260. I thought it better to slow down after Adventure Boats company director Campbell bumped his head on the top bulkhead, but there had been no complaints or creaks from inside the XO260.
Going broadside to this weather would have taken some nerve on lighter built craft, whereas this boat simply heeled about 10 degrees and dug in as I went through a fast and long turn, and doing it again tighter still didn't produce any cavitation from the 350 Mercury.
Most of the punishment was absorbed by the sprung seating of course, so as the rain cascaded down I reached for the wiper button just in case there was anyone else brave enough to be out there. A short wiper arc was annoying, though I was reassured by Campbell that this will be amended.
Sneaking into one of my favourite hideaways, Quarantine Bay, I edged us nearer the shore and went astern, tweaking the bow with Lewmar thruster; all easily done.
For the performance test I drove to some shelter near Manly running with, and then against, the weather. Take-off — or getting out of the hole, as they say — was a wee bit laboured with no tabs and full tilt on the Mercury leg, but once on the plane at 3800rpm, the XO260 flew fast and straight as an arrow. At a comfortable cruising speed of 22kt the fuel burn was 135 litres per 100km, giving a range of 100 nautical miles, but there was plenty more to come when needed. We easily reached an impressive 37kt without drama.
All of this was done with aplomb and without fuss, which sums up the appeal of the XO260.
Reviewer Kevin at the helm of the XO260
It's an all-weather day boat