Reliant Yachts just launched its new X40, the first in its express series, a creative 40-knot cruiser with a clean aesthetic and a Turkish cold-molded build. It is the latest entry from the Reliant team under industry veterans David MacFarlane and Jim Ewing, based in Newport, Rhode Island.
The X40 is designed to make a statement, with its raked wraparound windshield, plumb bow, straight lines and low profile. One nice touch: the cap rail is painted the same metallic sliver as the hull. And the new express is a true convertible; you can remove the carbon-fiber hardtop if the weather’s good and you want to feel the wind in your hair.
This boat was ordered by a client who wanted it to fit into the garage of his megayacht. That caused the Reliant team to choose sterndrive propulsion, so the props can be raised to fit inside the garage. The Konrad drives are fitted to twin 480-hp Cummins diesels to give the X40 a relaxed cruising speed in the mid-30-knot range, and a top speed of 40.7 knots, registered in initial sea trials off Istanbul.
The boat was laid up with epoxy and cold-molded laminate with a super-light, carbon-fiber deck. To keep the clean look, the deck cleats retract, and there are receptacles for removable stanchions to help passengers climb on and off the boat. Inside, all the hatches, hardware and cabinetry are flush mounted.
Three teak boarding steps on both sides lead into the deep, comfortable cockpit, with a large U-shaped settee. The teak deck is all on one level from the transom to the helm. The bridgedeck has high-backed, leather settees on each side. There’s a teak table on two stainless steel pedestals on the starboard side.
The helm has a pair of Raymarine Glass Bridge monitors set against a high-tech, black carbon fiber dashboard. A varnished wood steering wheel is a classic touch. In addition to the full suite of Raymarine electronics, the X40 has a Yacht Controller joystick, a SidePower bow thruster, and a Seakeeper 3 gyro-stabilizer. There’s also an Onan genset. Another Raymarine plotter is to port, in front of the co-pilot’s seat.
Three steps down, the accommodations deck has the galley to port, opposite an L-shaped settee and table to starboard. The master stateroom is forward, with 12 drawers and cabinets for storage. The head is to the port side.
In designing the new express series, Ewing said, “We followed fundamental principles – impeccable use of scale and proportion, attention to detail in both styling and performance, and careful execution of the build.”
Specs.: LOA: 37’9”; Beam: 12’0”; Draft (drives up): 2’0″; Disp.: 20,500 lbs.; Fuel: 160 gals.; Water: 80 gals.; Power: 2×480-hp Cummins QSB diesels with Konrad stern drives. (Photos by Billy Black)
