Finland's boating culture is unique and deeply rooted. With over 1.2 million registered vessels among a population of 5.5 million, it boasts one of the highest boat ownership rates per capita in the world.
Once you get to know the country, it is easy to understand why. It features over 180,000 islands, with its entire coastline surrounded by a complex labyrinth of waterways, providing a magnificent cruising ground for yacht owners.
This time, we took the XO DFNDR 9 on a four-day, three-night journey from Helsinki to Stockholm, stopping at various islands along the way to test the boat's performance and driving experience. The Explorer 10+ below accompanied us as our photography and support vessel.
Click here for DFNDR 9 specifications
Click here for Explorer 10+ specifications
Article Highlights
I. Excellent Design for Travel Comfort
Before setting off, it is worth understanding why the XO DFNDR 9 is the preferred choice for short-to-medium distance island hopping. These details significantly impact the driving experience. First, you will notice the deep walkways on both sides leading to the bow, equipped with high guardrails, making it very safe to move around while docking or walking on deck, and convenient for placing fenders.
Next are the two shock-absorbing pilot seats in the cockpit and the three-person bench seat at the rear. The DFNDR 9's elevated canopy design allows those in the rear seats to stand and enjoy a 360-degree view, providing excellent all-around visibility.
Regarding the driving experience, despite encountering rougher seas during our journey, the comfort level remained superb. By adjusting the seat back and leaning back with one foot planted, the helm provides a solid, secure feel and quick response; all controls are easily within reach, which is highly valuable.
The thoughtful armrest design on the helm console allows the driver to rest an arm and adjust dual-engine functions with just two fingers, significantly reducing fatigue during long-distance driving.
II. The Perfect Balance of Speed and Fuel Efficiency
With our twin Mercury 225 engines, you can expect a top speed of around 48.5 knots, or even 50 knots under calm conditions. It is a lot of fun when you arrive in remote and wild places like Finland, making it perfect for thrill-seekers who love speed.
Islands are scattered all over Finland. You can stop almost anywhere you like. Of course, there are some restrictions on private islands, but the vast majority are inhabited or government-owned.
While island hopping, we cruised very comfortably at about 28 knots, consuming approximately 60 liters per hour. The DFNDR 9 has a 450-liter fuel tank, allowing us to cover a large range on long journeys while ensuring a good fuel reserve remains.
In calm waters, when you want to feel the acceleration of a "sea supercar," we lower the trim tabs slightly to enter a fast planing state. The sensation is very exciting, easily pushing toward 40 knots with steady and smooth grip; the handling of this boat is very solid.
When you lean, the visibility is excellent due to the integrated side windows. Whether sitting or standing, you are perfectly safe. The DFNDR 9 features a distinct high-canopy cockpit, ensuring I can see the surrounding environment at all times, including the horizon, the sky, and the rear.
Sometimes, sports yachts and leisure boats fail to offer good ergonomics, but after a long trip, the DFNDR 9 truly delivered on both comfort and speed.
I must say, since we planned for long-distance travel, we filled the fuel tank to its 450L capacity, which is about 320 kg of extra weight—equivalent to four adults. Therefore, reaching 46 knots is truly an impressive performance.
III. Comfort and Fun of Island Hopping and Overnighting in the DFNDR 9
The islands we passed generally have barbecue facilities, toilets, and saunas, all free to use. This means you can cruise between these spots without worrying about where to spend the night, making it perfect for boat enthusiasts touring the area.
The new Defender 9 has many great design features that allow you to sleep comfortably while island hopping. I would say it makes for a quite comfortable night. The bed itself is long enough—about 6'3" to 6'4" from head to foot—allowing me to stretch out completely, which I really appreciated.
The recessed LED light strips circling the back look cool and highlight the contours of the cabin. Behind that, there is some additional storage space.
The toilet is also a great highlight, featuring a sink with a shower head, allowing players to take a quick rinse before bed. For a boat of this size, the space is very sufficient. Having an indoor space where you can stand and shower is something rarely found in a boat this small.
When you eat lunch while island hopping, it is a very efficient way to make the most of the rear cockpit seats. In just a few seconds, flip the backrest over, and the rear space immediately becomes a four-person dining table. Everything is designed with human-centric concepts.
Upon reaching your destination, once you finish eating, lower the table and add the cushions to instantly transform it into a large sunpad. You can see the backrest design on both sides allows four people to lean back comfortably. Crucially, even in this configuration, walkways remain on both sides, keeping movement fluid. I really appreciate this design concept.
There is even a sofa-sunpad feature at the bow, with a C-shaped seating arrangement that easily accommodates another 3-4 people. It can also be fitted with an optional quick-removable sun canopy, which is a great auxiliary design for island hopping and resting.
Whether it's a two-day or even a three-day weekend journey, you can basically go anywhere you want to explore without much concern. You can shuttle between islands in either a comfortable or a thrilling, adventurous way, and sleep on the boat at night.
Honestly, this four-day, three-night island-hopping trip was a wonderful experience. I feel I had a great time. Whether it's the thrill of driving or being close to nature, this boat can provide the owner with a complete and varied experience. This also aligns with the brand concept of XO Boats: "Taking you where others can't go."
Image credit: Motor Boat & Yachting / XO DFNDR 9 review
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