The X-Yachts X-482 1996 vs X-Yachts X-79 1979 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The X-Yachts X-482 1996 measures 47,7 feet overall (1996), giving it roughly 21,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the X-Yachts X-79 1979 at 26,1 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the X-Yachts X-482 1996 tips the scales at 26 455 lbs — 23 490 lbs more than the X-Yachts X-79 1979 at 2 965 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The X-Yachts X-482 1996 carries a rated maximum of 75 hp. Engine data for the X-Yachts X-79 1979 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The X-Yachts X-482 1996 is rated for 14 passengers, while the X-Yachts X-79 1979 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the X-Yachts X-482 1996 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The X-Yachts X-482 1996 displaces 26 455 lbs — a 23 490-lb difference over the X-Yachts X-79 1979 at 2 965 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The X-Yachts X-482 1996 draws 8,2 ft, compared to 4,5 ft for the X-Yachts X-79 1979. That 3,7-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The X-Yachts X-482 1996 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the X-Yachts X-482 1996 uses a 1 wheel versus a 1 tiller on the X-Yachts X-79 1979. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The X-Yachts X-482 1996 has a documented auxiliary engine of 75 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 8,6 knots for the X-Yachts X-482 1996 and 6,1 knots for the X-Yachts X-79 1979.
Bottom line: The X-Yachts X-482 1996 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 26 455 lbs displacement and 48 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The X-Yachts X-79 1979 at 2 965 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.