XO DFNDR

XO Boats teased the DFNDR on its website late in 2016 as 'something completely new', and MBY tested it in spring 2017. MBY found it shares the XO 250 hull, with a helm under a protective black cage, suspension seats, Webasto heating with a snorkel exhaust and dry storage under the foredeck. The yard describes a 25 ft boat for tough, active use that combines an open boat with a cabin boat: side canopy covers close it in, and the heater keeps it warm. For 2019–2020 it was marketed as the XO 250 DFNDR (also 'DFNDR 250'), including a black special edition. In 2021 the configurator briefly listed it as 'DFNDR 8' with unchanged specifications. The DFNDR 8 announced in June 2022 is a new design, 7.9 m by 2.37 m and 1,900 kg, with a separate head.

The hull is 7.76 m by 2.28 m with 24° transom deadrise, and the deck is GRP. The yard quotes 1,478 kg without engines, a 355-litre fuel tank, a 0.9 m draft with engines down and a load limit of five people. It was sold in Rider and Utility packages.

The 2017 tech sheet recommends 1 × 200–300 hp or 2 × 100–200 hp and gives maximum approved power as 1 × 400 hp or 2 × 200 hp. Later sheets recommend a single 225–300 hp. The factory fitted Mercury outboards, Verado 225 to 300 in the 2020 configurator. MBY's test boat had twin 200 hp four-cylinder Mercurys and reached 43 knots. MBY judged it a great performer but likely better suited to a single engine.