X-Yachts XR 41: a boat created with the help of AI

New racing yacht from X-Yachts

Back in 2007, X-Yachts released the X 41 racing yacht. This model became the last racing boat for the next 17 years in the XR line, until X-Yachts decided to return to its roots in 2024. 

The new XR 41 should continue the shipyard’s glorious racing history. For example, the Xp 44, X-41, IMX 38, IMX 40 and IMX 45 dominated the racing circuit for many years. XR will continue the traditions of X-Yachts.

The yacht is created under the strict guidance of experienced engineers and winners of the ORC and IRC races. X-Yachts has high hopes for the new model, which should occupy a special place in the shipyard's line of racing yachts.

Artificial Intelligence and XR 41

How exactly did X-Yachts engineers use artificial intelligence and neural networks to create a new boat? Let's look at everything in order. The XR 41 is being developed by X-Yachts' in-house team of 12 engineers with decades of yacht building experience, as well as input from North Sails and Pure Design & Engineering.

One of the tasks during the development process was to optimize the shape of the boat's hull to achieve maximum speeds without loss of controllability. Initially, artificial intelligence was used to generate 10,000 body variants. 

From this data set, several “families” of hull variations were selected that are close to each other in characteristics. For example, 3,000 options with a large stern and an average midsection, 3,000 options with a small stern and a wide midsection, 3,000 average hull models, and one thousand less successful options. Ultimately, the best body variations were selected from all families, which were then hand-finished by engineers.

Previously, an average of 20 enclosure options were used to create the final design. Modern technologies make it possible to significantly increase the variability of cases, which helps to find the optimal formula. Thomas Mielec, the shipyard's director of design and engineering, notes: “It was among these 10,000 options that we found the best indicators for the speed and handling of the yacht.”

Future plans for XR 41

The first two boats are planned to be launched in early 2025. These two XR 41s would compete in the ORC competition in Estonia in August of that year. Also at the beginning of 2025, the yacht will be presented at the Boot Dusseldorf exhibition.

Although the XR 41 is positioned as a racing yacht, “Spartan” conditions are not expected on board. The XR 41 is a multi-purpose yacht that is also suitable for cruising. Despite the fact that the boat is designed for racing, it remains comfortable and comfortable even in calm waters, creating the feeling of a real sports car.

On the deck there are two steering wheels and eight winches for controlling the sails. The deck design is ascetic, but without frills. In contrast to the simple deck, the interior in the renderings looks cozy and functional. Details of the plans have not yet been disclosed.

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04.07.2024