Although the Hamble division was credited with being formed in 1928, there are photographs long before that date which show X boat racing in the river Hamble. Racing has been taking place ever since.
The Hamble river sailing club was the founder division club for X boats. The Royal Thames Yacht Club and Royal Southern Yacht Club later became involved with racing.
One of the main strengths of the Hamble division has always been the availability of moorings and today the Hamble fleet have their own XOD pontoon.
Many of the XOD boats have remained in the fleet for many years. Some boats remain in the same hands and some have changed hands several times.
2008 was the 80th Anniversary of X boats racing at Hamble River Sailing Club. Hamble division racing is run principally under the Hamble River Sailing Club on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. The main season is between mid-April and mid September, with an Early Bird series starting at the end of March and an Autumn series from mid September to mid October. There are also a number of regattas during the season including the Hamble River Sailing Club Midsummer Regatta, Hamble Classics Regatta, the RAF Battle of Britain Regatta, and the Bursledon Regatta. Hamble host the Central Solent Championships which is a two day open event prior to Cowes Week which attracts boats from other divisions and acts as a very good warm up for Cowes Week.
There are currently 22 boats within the division with 19 in the water. XOD owners must be members of Hamble River Sailing Club to join in the Wednesday evening and Saturday Racing. The Royal Southern Yacht Club runs a launch service and a crane facility available for members. Moorings at Hamble are available from Hamble River Sailing Club on their new pontoon or the XOD Hamble Division also has its own pontoon for 16 boats. For those who are members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club there is also an annual ballot for Club moorings.