The X-342 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the X-342

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 33'6" (10.2m)

Waterline Length: 26'8" (8.1m)

Beam: 10'9" (3.3m)

Draft: 6'1" (1.9m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 9,200lb (4,173kg)

Ballast: 4,300lb (1,950kg)

Designer: Niels Jeppesen

Builder: X-Yachts (Denmark)

Year First Built: 1988

Year Last Built: 1994

Number Built: 105

Published Design Ratios for the X-342

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.6

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 46.7

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 217

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 20.9

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.1

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the X-342

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.6 suggests that, in the right hands, the X-342 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 46.7 means that the X-342 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 217, tells us the X-342 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 20.9 suggests that crew comfort of a X-342 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.1 tells us that a X-342 would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.