The X-342 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Design Ratios are numerical values that indicate how a boat will perform under sail in different conditions. Some of the most common ratios are:

• Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/D): This ratio measures how much sail area a boat has relative to its displacement. A higher ratio means more power and speed, but also more heel and weather helm. A lower ratio means less power and speed, but also more stability and comfort. The SA/D for the X-342 is 20.2, which is high for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it is a powerful and fast boat.

• Ballast to Displacement Ratio (B/D): This ratio measures how much ballast a boat has relative to its displacement. Ballast is the weight that keeps a boat upright and stable when heeling. A higher ratio means more stability and stiffness, but also more weight and drag. A lower ratio means less stability and stiffness, but also less weight and drag. The B/D for the X-342 is 37.7%, which is moderate for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it has a good balance between stability and performance.

• Displacement to Length Ratio (D/L): This ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. A higher ratio means more inertia and resistance, but also more comfort and seaworthiness. A lower ratio means less inertia and resistance, but also less comfort and seaworthiness. The D/L for the X-342 is 176, which is low for a cruiser-racer and indicates that it is a light and agile boat.

• Hull Speed: This is the theoretical maximum speed that a boat can achieve under sail, based on its waterline length. It is calculated by multiplying the square root of the waterline length by 1.34. The hull speed for the X-342 is 7.6 knots, which is fast for a cruiser-racer of its size.

Based on these ratios, we can expect the X-342 to perform well under sail, especially in light to moderate winds. It has enough sail area to generate speed, enough ballast to maintain stability, enough lightness to maneuver easily, and enough hull speed to reach its potential.

The X-342 is not in production anymore. It was built between 1988 and 1994 by X-Yachts in Denmark. 105 hulls were completed.

The X-342 can sleep up to six people on board. It has two double cabins: one in the forepeak and one aft under the cockpit. It also has two single berths in the saloon, which can be converted into a double berth with an infill cushion.

The sailing press gave positive reviews to the X-342 when it was launched in 1988. For example, Yachting World magazine praised its performance, handling, quality and comfort. It said: "The X-342 is one of those rare boats which combines sparkling performance with genuine cruising ability". It also said: "The X-342 is undoubtedly one of the best boats we have sailed this year, and one of the best 34-footers ever built".

The builders of the X-342 are X-Yachts, a Danish company that was founded in 1979 by brothers Lars and Niels Jeppesen and their friend Birger Hansen. The company started by producing high-performance racing yachts, such as the X-79 and the X-99. Later, they expanded their range to include cruiser-racers, such as the X-342 and the X-412. Today, X-Yachts is one of the leading manufacturers of quality sailing yachts in Europe, with models ranging from 33 to 65 feet. The company is still in business and has its headquarters in Haderslev, Denmark.

The mast on the X-342 is keel-stepped. This means that the mast goes through the deck and rests on a solid support at the bottom of the hull. This provides more strength and rigidity to the mast, but also adds more weight and complexity to the boat.

The sailplan and rig options for the X-342 are:

• Fractional rigged version: This version has a 3/4 rig with a single spreader mast and a backstay adjuster. It has a mainsail with two reefs, a 140% genoa with roller furling, and a spinnaker with pole. The sail area is 58m² (624ft²).

• Masthead rigged version: This version has a full rig with a double spreader mast and a fixed backstay. It has a mainsail with two reefs, a 150% genoa with roller furling, and a spinnaker with pole. The sail area is 62m² (667ft²).

The keel options for the X-342 are:

• Standard keel: This is a fin keel with a lead bulb that has a draft of 1.9m (6'3"). It has a weight of 1,570kg (3,461lb) and provides good stability and performance.

• Shoal keel: This is a fin keel with a lead bulb that has a draft of 1.5m (4'11"). It has a weight of 1,650kg (3,638lb) and provides more accessibility to shallow waters.

The average cost of a secondhand X-342 depends on several factors, such as the year of manufacture, the condition of the boat, the equipment included, and the location of the seller. Based on some online listings, the average cost of a secondhand X-342 ranges from €40,000 to €60,000 (approximately $45,000 to $67,000).

The X-342 is comparable to other similar sailboats in its class, such as the Beneteau First 33.7, the Dehler 34, the Elan 333, and the J/92. These boats are all cruiser-racers that have similar dimensions, design ratios, and performance characteristics. However, there are also some differences between them, such as the rigging options, the interior layout, the quality of construction, and the price. The X-342 is generally regarded as one of the best boats in its class, due to its speed, handling, quality and comfort.