Boot Düsseldorf 2025 hosted the world premiere of the XO EXPLR 44, the biggest and most powerful boat to wear the XO moniker - and one we've now put through its paces on the water.
It carries over plenty from the smaller boats in XO’s range, including the rugged aluminium hull, but pairs it here with an aluminium deck and fibreglass superstructure. With so much extra room and power to play with, the question remains: What have they managed to deliver on board, and is it as good to drive as it looks?
Test & Review Video
At Sea
The XO EXPLR 44 is an aluminium missile. Powered by three 400hp, 5.7-litre Mercury V10s, the boat reaches its top speed of 45 knots with laughable ease. It’s XO’s flagship and a bold statement from the usually reserved, sensible Finns, representing their most powerful and most bonkers creation yet.
When you put the throttles down, acceleration is electrifying, and it will top 40 knots in less than 10 seconds. However, from inside the wheelhouse, this speed is deceptively quiet and calm, which is at odds with the outrageous power behind you. On warmer days, you can open everything up for fresh air, but otherwise, the interior offers total protection. Combined with the Seakeeper Ride system’s automated trim and stability control, the EXPLR 44 demands little from the skipper beyond steering and throttle control.
The EXPLR 44 has an intended cruising speed between 32-40 knots. Travelling slower, around 25 knots, the hull feels restless, like it’s not fully settled. But when you nudge up toward 35 knots, everything clicks neatly into place. The wake peels smoothly off the hull, a sign of good balance and trim, and while the top speed is impressive, this boat's real brilliance is sustained fast cruising, eating up distances comfortably and confidently.
The triple engines give exceptional grip and razor-sharp handling. XO is well-known for that knife-edge agility on its smaller models, and impressively, this 13.72m flagship retains every bit of it. There’s something almost a bit naughty about throwing a boat this big into tight manoeuvres easily. In the Finnish archipelago, you’re slicing pretty close past islands and navigating narrow channels, so pulling sharp turns with total confidence is a bonus.
The conditions on test were relatively calm, so we had to try deliberately crossing our wake to simulate chop, but even doing so at nearly 40 knots failed to unsettle the ride. With that aluminium hull slicing knife-like through the water, and the Seakeeper Ride system keeping things impressively stable, sharp turns feel like you’re locked in on a Scalextric set. The sensation is remarkable; it genuinely feels as though the boat shrinks around you. It would have been nice to experience bigger seas; the big XO feels built to handle far more challenging conditions without losing composure.
But running triple V10s at high cruising speeds does come with a fuel penalty. At around 35 knots, the combined fuel burn is roughly 260 litres per hour. Fed by a 1,800-litre fuel tank, you can reasonably expect a fast-cruising range of around 200-250nm, depending on conditions. If you're planning to blast along at the near 50-knot top speed, naturally, that tank is going to empty quite quickly. With a shallow draft of just 1.04m (3ft 5in) (one of the clear benefits of outboards), the XO EXPLR 44 is laser-guided for short, rapid passages, swiftly covering ground in almost any coastal or island environment.
Around the Marina
For all its high-speed excitement, the XO is also impressive when it’s time to slow things down. Manoeuvring at low speeds is beautifully intuitive thanks to Mercury’s joystick system, which neatly integrates control of all three engines and the proportional bow thruster. Gentle inputs translate smoothly into precise movements, with the bow thruster kicking in when it's needed, for a reassuring shove sideways to get you alongside. Gone are the days of juggling multiple throttles and thrusters - everything’s condensed into one easy, confidence-inspiring control.
Single-handed berthing feels approachable, largely due to the thoughtful helm layout and joystick positioning. Standing at the helm, you've got a clear, unobstructed view down the side decks and right to the stern platform, allowing precise, confident docking even when running the boat solo. Features like Skyhook hold the boat in place while you prep lines or set fenders, and design details such as the easy step-off access from the aft platform will make tying up easier.
The triple V10s do have their own personality compared to the alternative twin V12 outboards. The triple-engines, while powerful, are noticeably less smooth when shifting in and out of gear, feeling slightly clunkier than the double V12s with their slicker gearboxes.
There's also the added noise from the proportional bow thruster as it kicks in to assist. It's hardly intrusive but something to bear in mind if absolute refinement at low speeds is high on your wishlist. The twin 600hp V12s might just edge it on smoothness, but either way, the experience is manageable.
The XO EXPLR 44, designed by Jaakko Kantola, XO’s lead designer, puts functionality, durability, and smart design at the heart of everything. The hull is constructed from aluminium, reinforced with 8mm stringers and a 5mm bottom plate, which is the kind of build you’d normally associate with larger yachts. This construction is designed to help soak up impact and cut down on vibration.
Above deck, the 44 is geared towards adventure. There’s a walkaround layout, 3ft bulwarks, loads of grip underfoot, and space on the roof for solar panels or racks for kit. Both the bow and aft areas feature sunbeds that double as lounge or storage zones. The pilothouse is big, weather-tight, and made to be both a working helm and a social zone. The test boat didn’t have the optional forward anchor, relying solely on the stern anchor instead. That suits the way many people use these boats in Nordic waters – anchor deployed aft, bow nosed in gently to an island or beach.
Inside, rather than the usual owner-versus-guest setup, XO’s given the boat two equal-sized cabins, which is rare at this size. By dropping the centre cabin lower into the hull, they’ve managed to improve stability without bulking up the profile, and in the process, created what are effectively two owner suites. But the aft cabin can be specced as a twin or left open as a flexible atrium space as it has large rear-facing windows. There’s also a kid’s berth up in the pilothouse, so there's space for six to sleep. And crucially, every cabin stays accessible even when all the beds are in use.
Linetex Chalk upholstery is standard, but you can go for Silvertex Skylight, Maglia Oak, or Atlantic Crevalle finishes. The joinery starts with Natural Oak, with Alpi Oak, Alpi Teak, or full Natural Teak available as upgrades. The hull comes in white or black, and the GRP sections (roof, wetbar, cuddy, doors, etc) can be matched or resprayed in any low-key or loud colour you like.
The cabin feels surprisingly roomy. There’s good headroom, it’s nice and wide, and despite having full walk-around decks, the interior doesn’t feel pinched in. It’s also a flexible space. The seating can be set up for dining, but the backrest also flips to create a forward driving position.
The table sits on a hi-lo pedestal, so it can drop down and fill in to convert the area for an extra berth. There’s a compact galley too, with a sink, a single hob, and storage underneath. Given that the boat can sleep four and host quite a few more out on deck, the cooling space might feel a bit limited, even with those drawers outside. That said, storage elsewhere is fairly decent - there are a few sections above, some sockets, and more drawer space lower down.
Forward Cabin
This forward cabin is most likely to be the owner’s cabin, and for a boat of this style, the headroom is surprisingly good. If you're well over 6ft, it might feel a bit tight, but for most people, it's perfectly comfortable to stand upright, and that applies to the ensuite bathroom as well.
The bed itself is a decent size, set at just the right height to get in and out of easily. There’s a deck hatch above, which can be opened for a bit of natural ventilation, along with a couple of opening ports for extra airflow.
One of the standout features of this cabin is how it lines up with those triple external ports, which bring in a surprising amount of natural light and provide a decent view out. The light oak finish also does a good job of keeping the space feeling bright and open. Darker interior options are available, but this lighter scheme helps lift the space nicely. There’s a Garmin display as well, so you can monitor the boat’s systems from below without heading back to the helm.
Where it does fall short is hanging storage. There are a few cubbies scattered around and some shelf space by the bed, but no obvious spot to hang clothes. For short stays, that’s fine, but for longer trips, you might find it a bit limiting.
The ensuite makes up for that though. It’s a wet room layout, which means there’s loads of floor space. You’ve got a shower, a toilet, and a bit of extra storage in there as well. Simple, practical, and not bad at all for a boat this size.
Aft Cabin
To access this cabin, there is a sliding hatch below the dinette and a pull tab to lift the aft cushion on a gas ram. You can then pin it in place, revealing a proper staircase that leads down into the cabin.
Once you’re in, the first thing you notice is the surprising headroom given where this space sits in the boat. The large glass panel brings in loads of natural light, giving the space an open, airy feel. Rather than staring at a bulkhead, you get a partial view out, which makes a big difference. There’s a blind for privacy too, which is important since it works both ways.
There’s a handhold as you come down, and tucked in just off the cabin is another private bathroom. It’s not quite as spacious as the forward one, but it’s still a decent size, and crucially, it gives guests their own facilities - great if you’ve got four people sleeping on board.
Space around the twin berths is handled well. You can just about sit up on the bed, and if you’re leaning back to read or scroll on the iPad, it’s comfortable enough. There’s room between the beds and a decent walkway down the middle. There’s also access to the Seakeeper, which is beneath the floor. There’s no top access, so major servicing is a bit tricky, and if it’s running while you’re sleeping, you’ll likely hear it.
The berths can convert into a large double with an infill, creating a generous sleeping area. Storage is on par with the forward cabin with cupboards on both sides and more around the beds. The backrests double as fiddles, so you can leave items out without them sliding about. Another strip of glazing sits just above the outboards, bringing in more light, and you’ve got natural ventilation too, with air conditioning available as an optional extra.
The helm seats are attached to the central galley unit, similar to the Axopar 45, which slides on runners at the push of a button. It’s not the quickest process, but once it’s in place, it immediately feels right, leaning against the bolster. If you’d rather sit, the bolster drops down so you can settle into the helm chairs. Given what this boat is built for, chances are you’ll be bracing rather than lounging. The steering wheel is adjustable and close.
The Mercury throttles are chunky and satisfying to hold. Even with the boat at a standstill, there's a reassuring sense of control - you can rest your hand on the base and make fine adjustments with your thumb in single-lever mode. Exactly the sort of setup you want in a performance machine like this.
Visually, the helm looks great. Finished in dark material to cut down on glare, it features two big Garmin MFDs running everything from Seakeeper stabilisation and Lumishore lighting to the Garmin Surround View system - this gives you a top-down view of the boat, much like a car’s 360° camera. Paired with a joystick, it should make manoeuvring easier, even in tight spaces.
The only slight concern is the air vents. They look great, a bit Mercedes S-Class, but they sit quite low, so they’re unlikely to be very useful for cooling on a hot day. Still, with sliding doors and an electric sunroof overhead, getting fresh air in isn’t going to be a problem.
Aft, the 44 doesn't have a full-width bathing platform because of the outboards, but there are well-sized sponsons on either side, with one housing a ladder.
You’ve got cleats on both sides, and they’re the pop-up kind, so when they’re not in use, they sit flush with the deck. True to its Nordic roots, there’s also a stern anchor, tucked on the starboard side. That’s how it’s often done in that part of the world, with the bow to the island or beach, the anchor at the back.
There’s also enough room to walk across behind this aft section, giving you a clear path from one side to the other, which is always useful when you’re moored stern-to.
In the cockpit, the table sits on an electric pedestal, controlled by a button just here. You can lower it flush with the surrounding seating, drop in an infill cushion, and you’ve suddenly got a generous sunbathing area. This backrest section is mounted on a ratchet, so if you’d rather sit and dine, it clicks up to give you solid back support. The infill cushion can be stored under the seating section, which lifts up on gas rams.
On the cockpit floor, one of the first things you pick up on is the amount of glazing, and it’s there to boost the natural light filtering down into the cabin below.
This is also where you’ll find the wet bar. It’s nice and wide, though this standard layout looks a little sparse with just a single grill and a sink. There’s room for an additional grill, or you could just use the space as extra prep surface. There’s no cooling or storage space directly underneath, as that’s all glass, so that’s one of the trade-offs. But there are fridge drawers under both seating sections, so you’ve still got a place to keep drinks cold.
There’s the option for an overhead canopy, too. It slots into the deck, giving you a bit of shade when dining outside during the day. And there are a few thoughtful touches around the space, like the large spotlight aft, handy when backing into a berth at night, and a decent sound system mounted up top. All in all, a fun, sociable space.
Side Decks & Foredeck
The deck layout is completely symmetrical, giving you equal space to move around on both sides of the wheelhouse. There are a couple of small level changes in the side decks that can catch you out until you’ve got the layout in your head. There aren’t any guardrails at that point due to the fender placement, but because the deck sits lower, there’s a reassuring sense of protection, with something always to grab hold of: an overhead rail or the handle on the door.
The side doors are wide and well-placed, with boarding gates on both sides. The one on the starboard side lines up perfectly with the helm to step straight onto the pontoon when mooring. The side door does pinch the deck slightly when it’s open. It would be neater if it could retract into the structure (like the solution on the Nimbus 495) but it’s still a very useful feature to have. Having the starboard side gate line up directly with the helm makes a big difference when mooring solo. It’s a simple detail, but it makes stepping off to tie up much easier.
As you move forward, the deck becomes shallower, but the guardrails reappear, so there’s still something to steady yourself on. The foredeck is another living space, primarily for sunbathing. It’s a fixed area with cupholders on either side and short backrests, so you can lounge flat or sit up and lean against the windscreen if you’re just cruising gently or reading.
Forward of that, there’s fender storage in a simple, open compartment. On another version of this boat (the black one), there’s an optional forward anchor mechanism. It folds out when needed and disappears completely when not in use, keeping the foredeck clean.
The recessed fender slots are neat, but the railings offer more flexibility. You’re not tied to fixed positions as you can loop a line around and drop a fender wherever you need it.
The base price for the EXPLR 44 in the UK is £520,307 ex VAT with a pair of 400hp Mercury V10 outboards (pricing correct at time of writing).
To jump to the triple 400hp V10s that the boat we saw had, you'll need to fork out another £50,000 (though this includes the joystick), and the version with twin 600hp V12s is £650,000 ex VAT - a big jump.
One with twin 600hp engines and all the bells and whistles will likely cost just over £1,000,000 ex VAT, which looks like a lot of money when compared to the Axopar 45 XC, but about in line with the €1.4 million Brabus Shadow 1200 XC.
You may not need £500,000 of extras, but there are some key ones we would consider, such as: bow thruster (£8,246), forward anchor (£27,193), shore power (£5,702), air-conditioning (£30,614), generator (£34,649), Seakeeper gyro (£83,333), cockpit fridge (£1,390) and the aft deck table (£2,281).
Our Verdict
Interestingly, this model was developed with Florida in mind, which explains the serious petrol outboard power bolted to the back. That said, the layout works just as well in a range of other environments. While the cabin takes up a fair bit of room, the deck layout has been handled smartly. There's flexible seating, dedicated sunbathing areas, a well-equipped wet bar, and more lounging space up front, so it still delivers on that open-air experience.
When we toured this at Düsseldorf, we said the real test would be getting it out on the water, and it’s exceeded all expectations. With a top speed nudging 50 knots, relaxed cruising at around 36 knots, and a practical range of about 250nm, it certainly has the right credentials. You look at this much power and its gold, shiny hull, and naturally expect a great driving experience; it certainly delivers. Conditions today were admittedly calm, but in terms of refinement at high cruising speeds, covering distance quickly and comfortably, it really does impress. There are some trade-offs: the wheelhouse interior geometry isn't ideal, more refrigeration would help, and the bathrooms feel tight. But for rapid, stylish, point-to-point cruising, the XO EXPLR 44 sits firmly among the very best.
Reasons to Buy
- Looks great
- Great array of engine options
- Surprising accommodation
- Alloy hull & deck
Things to Consider
- Lack of refrigerator space
- Limited deck space
- Thirsty to run
Looking to own a XO Boats EXPLR 44? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used XO Boats EXPLR 44 Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new XO Boats EXPLR 44, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!
Rivals to Consider
The Saxdor 400 GTO is well suited to those who value performance and efficiency. With a top speed reaching up to 48 knots, it holds its own in the speed department, though its cruising speed sits below that of the XO Boats EXPLR 44. Accommodation is limited to four guests, which may not appeal to those planning longer stays or wanting a bit more room. A shallow draft gives it plenty of versatility for exploring tucked-away spots that deeper vessels might struggle with. It also features a dual-stepped hull design that improves fuel efficiency and stability.
The Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to raw performance. It boasts a maximum speed of 50 knots, outpacing the EXPLR 44 in terms of outright speed. Despite this, its cruising speed of 25 knots lags behind the XO. For those who prefer stability and comfort over speed, the Axopar delivers on the journey front, though with a more modest accommodation setup, it caters better to day trips or shorter adventures. It’s also equipped with an innovative roof system that allows for quick adaptation to changing weather conditions, adding a layer of versatility to its already robust capabilities.
The Nimbus C11 is tailored to those who prioritise stability and comfort over speed. It offers a more leisurely cruising experience compared to the storming performance of the EXPLR 44. Its slower pace doesn't take away from its charm, emphasising the enjoyment of the journey. However, it falls short in the accommodation department, offering fewer berths, which might not suit those who like the option of a weekend stay on board. Its standout feature is the walk-around deck design, providing ease of movement on board and enhancing the overall safety and enjoyment of the cruising experience.
The Wellcraft 44 Explorer presents itself as a solid choice for open-water adventurers. Its shallow draft opens up opportunities to explore waters that are off-limits to deeper vessels. While it doesn't match the EXPLR 44's speed or accommodation capacity, it’s a reliable option for those seeking a bit of exploration without the need for a brisk pace or expansive living quarters. One of its unique attributes is the robust hull design, which is engineered for optimal performance even in challenging conditions, making it a dependable partner for adventurous voyages.
The Aquila 42C, though not matching the blistering pace of the EXPLR 44, focuses on a different market. Its emphasis is on comfort and leisurely cruising, with enough flexibility in its accommodation to support both day outings and occasional overnight stays. It may not be the best for speed, but it has its niche for users who enjoy comfort and stability. Notably, it features an expansive flybridge with an integrated helm station, offering panoramic views and a spectacular outdoor living space that enhances the on-water experience.
Meanwhile, the Brabus Marine 1200 XC Black Ops Signature Edition offers a unique package with its sleek design and luxurious finishes. While it may not keep pace with the EXPLR 44's top speed, it stands out with its high-end detailing and finish, appealing to those with an eye for style. Its accommodation, however, is limited, which may not suit those looking for more flexible living arrangements for extended trips. A particularly exciting feature is the inclusion of a Brabus "Shadow" edition package that offers bespoke customisation options, allowing owners to personalise their yachts to an extraordinary degree.
Considering a new boat? Explore XO Boats' entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Builder XO Boats
- Range EXPLR
- Model EXPLR 44
- Length Overall 13.4m
- Beam 3.7m
- Draft 1.05m
- Hull Aluminium
- Cabins 2
- Berths 6
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 1,800 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 200 Litres
- Engine Model 3x Mercury Verado V10 5.7L 400hp
- Engine HP 6400
- Engine max range (speed type) 240 (nm)
XO Boats EXPLR 44 Layout
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Main Deck
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![Main Deck XO Boats EXPLR 44]()
Symmetrical decks give full walk-around access
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Lower Deck
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![Lower Deck XO Boats EXPLR 44]()
Two separate bathrooms is a welcome addition to the lower deck layout
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