Fjord 53 XL Video Review: A Tender Garage and Hidden Side Shades
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough6 min read
The Fjord 53 XL is a 55 ft day yacht built for summer cruising. We walked her at the Palma International Boat Show. She has a hydraulic swim platform, a garage for a Williams 285 jet tender, a sunbed and dining area under the hardtop with electric side shades, a galley with a grill, a bow lounge, an owner's cabin forward, a guest cabin and a crew cabin, on twin Volvo IPS 800s.
A dayboat that can carry two toys
The 53 XL is about owning the summer. The garage takes a Williams jet tender and there is room for a jet ski on the platform, so you can island hop with two toys. The cockpit has two tables, a grill galley and side shades that drop at the push of a button, a trick we had not seen before. Below there are two cabins and a crew cabin under the bow.
What stood out on board
- A tender garageFits a Williams 285 jet tender, with room for a jet ski on the platform.
- Hidden electric shadesThey drop from the hardtop on both sides of the dining area, as low as you like.
- Two tablesUse one as a coffee table and one for dining, or lower both for a bigger sunbed.
- A grill galleyA Kenyon grill, a sink and a cooktop, with fridges close by.
- Bow backrests that adjustSet them to sit up or lie back at the bow.
- A crew cabinUnder the bow, with a bed, a sink and a fold-out toilet.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 54 ft 11 in (16.73 m) | A big day yacht |
| Beam | 15 ft 11 in (4.85 m) | Room for two tables |
| Draft | 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m) | Fine for coves and anchorages |
| Dry weight | 17.8 t (39,242 lb) | Steady at speed |
| Tanks | 570 gal fuel, 103 gal water (2,160 L, 390 L) | Long days without a refill |
| Power (as filmed) | 2x Volvo Penta D8-IPS800 | Joystick docking |
| Layout | Owner's cabin, guest cabin, crew cabin, two heads | Weekends with a captain |
| Helm | Two Simrad screens, stabiliser, chain counter | Full-height windshield, no windburn |
| Galley | Kenyon grill, sink, cooktop, fridges | Lunch at anchor |
| Toys | Garage for a Williams 285 jet tender | Room for a jet ski too |
| Systems | Fischer Panda generator, CZone | Power at anchor |
Step inside: interactive 3D virtual walkthrough
Drag to look around. Tap the hotspots to move through the boat.
Swim platform and tender garage
The hydraulic swim platform lowers with steps built in, and a passerelle reaches the dock. The garage opens for a Williams 285 jet tender.
- Jet ski.Room for one on the platform.
- Cubby.For snorkel gear.
- Gates.Hidden gates on both sides.
- Shower.A handheld shower by the controls.
- Sunbed.Fits three to four, with backrests that fold.
Cockpit dining
Eight people fit around the two tables, with walking space between them. The hardtop reaches over the dining area, with LED tracks and optional glass panels.
- Shades.Electric nets drop from the hardtop on both sides.
- Backrest.Flips to face the galley.
- Cup holders.Four, built into the table.
- Fridge.A drawer under the dining area.
Galley
The galley faces the dining area, so the cook stays part of the group.
- Grill.A Kenyon grill with storage beside it.
- Cooking.A sink and a cooktop in an L-shape.
- Fridge.Easy to reach from the galley.
Helm
The windshield runs all the way to the hardtop, with glass panels at the sides, so there is no windburn at speed.
- Controls.Wheel, throttles and a joystick.
- Screens.Two Simrad displays with Volvo engine systems.
- Systems.Stabiliser and chain counter controls.
- Guest seat.With armrests, and room for another screen.
Bow
Magnetic side steps sit flush with the hull and fold out to step ashore. At the bow there is a sunbed with adjustable backrests and a forward-facing bench.
- Audio.Controls to starboard.
- Shade.Carbon poles for a Bimini.
- Anchor.An arm that swings out, with a lit locker.
Cabins and crew cabin
Three steps lead down past the CZone panel and Fischer Panda controls. The owner's cabin is forward, with a guest cabin and a crew cabin.
Owner's cabin
- Bed.A queen, with a TV and a small lounge seat.
- Light.Hull windows and a skylight under the bow sunbed.
- Head.A dry head with a shower bench that lifts for storage.
Guest cabin
- Beds.Two singles, or one bed with a filler.
- Head.Its own wet head.
Crew cabin
- Access.Through a deck hatch and two doors.
- Layout.A bed, a sink and a fold-out toilet.
The Fjord 53 XL is made for long summer days. The tender garage, the two tables, the grill galley and the electric side shades make the cockpit work at anchor and under way. The full-height windshield keeps the wind off at speed, and below there are two comfortable cabins and a crew cabin. If you want a day yacht that can carry your toys and host a crowd, she is worth a look.
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- Presented by
- Heigo Paartalu
- YachtWay Spotlight host
- Filmed by
- YachtWay Studios