Shoreline X64

The X factor

Virtually the only two boxes not ticked on the Shoreline X64 are those for the optional sunroof and engine upgrade. Rather, with modest Volvo Penta 800hp D12 diesel engines fitted with vee-drives spinning four-blade Nibral props, this X for express cruiser is intentionally frugal.

Forget turning on the taps and flying around at some ungodly speed. Cruise at a useful 18kts for 170lt in total and range of about 400nm instead. Thus, the X64 is a timely boat - kind on the hip pocket at the time of purchase and going forward.

Who is Shoreline? A joint Australian-Taiwanese venture, Shoreline Yachts International is a new luxury badge engaging two custom yards with more than 20 years experience building boats between them. The two shipyards are based in Kaoshiung and have manufactured more than 1000 boats in past years, we're told.

It took two years to develop Shoreline's "X" collection, a range of express or sportsyachts including an X52 that's on its way, the X64 tested here, the X76 and X88.

The X64 was modelled on a pre-existing factory hull, a semi-planning design modified to be a full planing vessel, and suitable for engines output up to 2400hp in total: either twin MANs or, more likely, four, yes four Volvo Penta IPS600 pod drives.

But as savvy sportsyacht owners will attest, more time is spent at eight to 10kts on an entertainer like this than at high speed. And offshore, between ports of call, you can still cruise at 18 to 22kts where the ride is smoothest. To this end, the Volvo Penta D12s make good dollars and sense.

The money you save by not buying bigger engines can be spent on more accoutrements. Which brings us back to the inventory. As I said, a lot of boxes have been ticked on the X64 and, best of all, the gear is well recognised, either sourced from Australia or backed by local agents.

LONG LIST OF GOODIES
For the dollars - $2.2 million as tested - the X64 really is loaded. According to our research, and thumbing through the supplied documents, there is everything from submersible swim platform to garage for your tender, cockpit barbie, sink and icemaker to watermaker and washer-dryer, through flatscreen televisions and Bose entertainment system, to Miele appliances and a full spread of Raymarine electronics.

You also get generator, air-con and inverter as standard. Then come the finishes, which have a timeless European flavour: marble floors in the en suites, Alcantara soft liners, trick bedding and impressive intelligent windows that, using a 12V actuator, turn the transparent saloon glass opaque at the flick of a switch. Thus, no need for curtains. Very clever. But I'm getting ahead of myself, as ever...

 Trumpeting the brands arrival in Australia, the X64 is built using composite vacuum-bagged foam-cored hull sides and deck atop a solid GRP running surface with vinylester resin to ward against osmosis. There are resin-infused or closed mould bulkheads, which are watertight fore and aft of the engineroom, glass-encapsulated stringers and interior structural components all bonded to the hull.

The hull is described as a deep-vee design with moulded spray rails. It travels flat and, therefore, efficiently. With the modest D12s, it runs through the water rather than skipping across the top as it might with more horses. So think of it as a chariot rather than a high-speed conveyance.

While the X64 was built to ABYC and US Coastguard standards, I'm told the custom yard can meet any requirement including survey if needed. But although the X64 we drove was a recreational boat bound for its Gold Coast owners, I was pleased to find remote fuel shutoffs and engine flaps per survey standards and engineering that closes the gap between workboat and pleasure boat.

ENGINEERED RIGHT
The walk-in engineroom is just huge, accessed by a watertight hydraulic transom door, and with full headroom. There is a surfeit of servicing room around the compact D12s, sound insulation and, with vee-drives, you have more space in the accommodation plan and, in particular, the owner's full-beam stateroom. More on it later.

The Racor fuel filters, sea strainers with glass inspection bowls and dipsticks are easy to find. A Reverso oil change system is standard, as is a fuel system with twin alloy tanks with a sight gauge and fuel transfer pump. There are stainless steel drip trays and workmanlike checkerplate flooring, dripless shaft logs and high-volume 24/240V fans. Wiring runs can be accessed through the boat via removable panels.

I found an impressive plumbing manifold system and all the seacocks are labelled, with schematics provided. The heads are the Vacuflush freshwater flush types, with an integral blackwater tank and huge stainless steel 1000lt freshwater tank that virtually negates the need for the watermaker.

The Onan generator is a 13.5kVa model, the air-con units are from Marine Air, and the desalinator is a SK 100lt/h model well represented here. Similarly, the inverter is a high-output 3000W number that, besides powering the AV systems, keeps the boat's refrigeration running overnight without having to worry about the generator.

There's also a sink and storage unit in the engineroom, or the adjoining utility area just aft of it, with plenty of room left over for storing watersports, dive and fishing gear. To The Reef we go.

DECKED OUT
We came aboard via the teak-topped extended swim platform, with 500kg carrying capacity for totting a PWC or jetski. It's submersible at the press of a button. The garage can carry a 2.8m RIB.

Dual flights of steps lead up to an entertainer's cockpit with teak lunch table for eight or more that, at the press of a button, converts to a central sunpad. There's a moulded amenities centre with sink, icebox and icemaker (to be fitted). You might like to consider the optional retractable awning - I would.

The X64 had sensibly high stainless steel rails surrounding the walkaround sidedecks, which are on the same level as the cockpit. With deep bulwarks and teak capping, the X64 is a kid-and-crew friendly boat. Which is just as well, as the foredeck contains an oversized sunpad for four. The windlass was a Maxwell number linked to a 50kg stainless steel plough.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR
One of the great things about an express cruiser or sportsyacht is the indoor/outdoor living where the cockpit flows seamlessly through to the saloon and the helm station behind the windscreen. Thus, these are perfect boats for cruising with a crowd.

A three-way saloon door leads inside where headroom is a high point at 195cm. The open-plan layout is dominated by a white leather L-shaped lounge for 10 and twin coffee tables. Views are on tap or (back at the marina) you can flick a switch and gain privacy thanks to those so-called intelligent windows.

 There were recessed air-con outlets, low-maintenance teak satin flooring, Alcantara headliners and side trim, Italian Cantaloupe lighting (LED courtesy lights back outdoors) and red cherry joinery. But the choice is yours and, should you wish, lighter timbers can be used to create a more contemporary interior.

The aft galley is made to serve, with marble counters, Miele upright fridge, four-burner cooktop and rangehood, combo microwave/convection oven, Fisher and Paykel dishwasher, slide-out pantry and ventilation via nearby sliding windows and the adjoining rear door. The cappuccino machine costs extra.

Though a small four-person affair, the forward dinette has views behind the windscreen. Really, you're better off staging dinners and lunches back outdoors. When not regaling your guests, entertainment comes via an 80cm Sharp flatscreen television linked to a Bose Lifestyle unit.

There's a choice of port or starboard helms, with the X64 having the former. Seating includes a two-person leather co-pilot and navigator bench beside a single Besenzoni helm chair. The silver dash housed a Raymarine E120 with 24nm radar, autopilot, Sidepower bowthruster controller, Volvo Penta EDC engine-control panels as well as analogue engine gauges, and Bennett trim tabs.

Nearby were the Onan start panel, inverter panel, switches for the wipers with washers, a Tankwatch gauge for the holding tank, water gauge where it's easily monitored, watermaker panel, and EDC controls. I couldn't fault the dash layout, which left plenty of room for fitting more aftermarket equipment.

SLEEP CITY
With four cabins and three heads, you can sleep two families during summer holidays on the X64. The VIP in the bow features an island double berth and abundant storage beneath the mattress, as well as in drawers and a hanging locker. Natural ventilation is available through the escape hatch and the side-opening ports.

Marble on the vanity and its floor, a big shower, Italian fittings, Vacuflush head and fan-forced and natural ventilation are highlights of the en suite. The second cabin has a double bed to port and en suite with second door back to the companionway for communal use. The third cabin opposite has bunks.

Which leaves the full-beam stateroom with queen-sized bed flanked by triple panorama windows, leather settee and quasi office space, separate vanity and walk-in wardrobe, and AV system. The en suite has what was described as the biggest shower at the Sydney International Boat Show. It's gargantuan and available with a spa bath should you really want to wallow.

CRUISING BEAUTY
What the X64 lacks in speed it makes up for in ease of handling. The boat runs flat, assisting vision and holeshot. With half fuel and water, from a standing start, it took 18 seconds to hit 18kts without touching the trim tabs, and turns snappily off the hydraulic power steering like a sportsyacht should.

There was lousy weather in the delivery from the Gold Coast to Sydney, where the X64 sat on 14.5 to 15kts without wallowing. Usual long-range cruise is 17 to 18kts at 1900rpm, maximum continuous is 21.2kts at 2120rpm, and top revs of 2320rpm gave 24.3kts, though 28kts is said to be available.

Back at 10kts champagne cruise you are using 36lt/h for a range that's in excess of 1000nm. Fast or slow, you get comforts without extreme cost, a fully loaded boat that won't blow the budget, long-range modest motors, and room for personal touches and finishes - the X factor.

Leave the guesswork to someone else. Fuel up and go. Turnkey boating has hit the big time.

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