XO DFNDR 9

The DFNDR 9 was XO Boats' first model under the company's new product strategy. It made its global debut at the Southampton Boat Show in September 2021, where MBY toured it on video, and went into production for 2022. Vene/Kippari says it follows the styling of the smaller DFNDR 8 but is clearly larger and more versatile. It was shortlisted for the Motor Boat Awards in late 2022 and won the adventure-boat category in January 2023.

The hull is XO's aluminium deep-V with about 22-23 degrees of deadrise, topped by a fibreglass deck and superstructure. Vene gives the build chain for the test boat: hulls from Campnou Oy in Ähtäri, Finland, and final assembly at MPPB in Slepsk, Poland. XO calls the layout a walkaround with a centre cabin. The glazed wheelhouse can be fully closed for heat or cold, or the boat can be configured without cabin walls, when it is closer to a centre console. There is a semi-raised foredeck, an aft deck whose seating converts into a dining area or sunbed, a two-berth cabin under the foredeck and a separate head compartment. Press tests describe the head as having a shower, sink and electric toilet; Vene lists the electric toilet as an option.

XO rates it for twin outboards totalling 225-450 hp. The launch and test boats had twin Mercury Verado 225 V6s. Testers recorded top speeds of about 46 knots (Power & Motoryacht) and 48.3 knots (Powerboat & RIB). XO's own figures are 45+ knots on the model page and 50 knots in its award nomination news. The CE category is B/C.

Reviews were strongly positive. MBY ran it on a 72-hour crossing from Finland to Sweden. The Motor Boat Awards judges said very few boats under 30 ft offer as much all-round ability.