es 44 sailboat

Kernan 44 “Wasabi”

• Racing Sailboats

• News&Social
• Solaris Cup

2.60 (2.4-2.2 optional) M

Hp 30 (60-75 optional)

See all technical specifications

This yacht has set a new market standard; she is the only 13.5 mts, designed and built for fast cruising with a reduced crew, thanks to all lines being lead to just two winches within easy reach of the helmsman. The boat can be used for cruising and racing opting for the mainsail traveller totally recessed and winches on the coaming to deploy the asymmetrical spi. The deck layout comprises a roomy sail locker, large cockpit lockers and an independent storage space for the liferaft. Her beam of 4.18 mts. allows for the possibility of a large stern cabin, with wide twin beds. The hull with its widest beam moved aft and twin rudder blades ensures maximum efficiency at any angle of heel.

Javier Soto Acebal

INTERIOR DESIGNER

SOLARIS DESIGN TEAM

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Displacement, ce certification.

• New Sailboats
• Sailboats 21-30ft
• Sailboats 31-35ft
• Sailboats 36-40ft
• Sailboats Over 40ft
• Sailboats Under 21feet
• used_sailboats
• Apps and Computer Programs
• Communications
• Fishfinders
• Handheld Electronics
• Plotters MFDS Rradar
• Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
• Anchoring Mooring
• Running Rigging
• Sails Canvas
• Standing Rigging
• Diesel Engines
• Off Grid Energy
• Cleaning Waxing
• DIY Projects
• Repair, Tools & Materials
• Spare Parts
• Tools & Gadgets
• Cabin Comfort
• Ventilation
• Footwear Apparel
• Foul Weather Gear
• Mailport & PS Advisor
• Inside Practical Sailor Blog
• Activate My Web Access
• Reset Password
• Pay My Bill
• Customer Service

• Free Newsletter
• Give a Gift

How to Sell Your Boat

Cal 2-46: A Venerable Lapworth Design Brought Up to Date

Rhumb Lines: Show Highlights from Annapolis

Open Transom Pros and Cons

Leaping Into Lithium

The Importance of Sea State in Weather Planning

Do-it-yourself Electrical System Survey and Inspection

Install a Standalone Sounder Without Drilling

Rethinking MOB Prevention

Top-notch Wind Indicators

The Everlasting Multihull Trampoline

In Search of the Snag-free Clew

What’s Involved in Setting Up a Lithium Battery System?

Reducing Engine Room Noise

Breaking Point: What Can Go Wrong With Your Yanmar?

Mildew-resistant Caulks for Boats

Can We Trust Plastic Boat Parts?

Repairing Molded Plastics

Mailport: Marine plywood, fuel additives, through bolt options, winch handle holders

The Day Sailor’s First-Aid Kit

Choosing and Securing Seat Cushions

Cockpit Drains on Race Boats

Rhumb Lines: Livin’ the Wharf Rat Life

Safer Sailing: Add Leg Loops to Your Harness

Resurrecting Slippery Boat Shoes

Tricks and Tips to Forming Do-it-yourself Rigging Terminals

Marine Toilet Maintenance Tips

Learning to Live with Plastic Boat Bits

The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Clear Plastic

• Sailboat Reviews

New Boat Review: A Look Inside the New Leadership 44

Morris yachts and designer dave pedrick combine talents in the coast guard academy’s new training vessel..

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has always been a strong advocate of sail training, but for decades, the tall ship Eagle has held center stage. Of course, the Coast Guard Academy has always maintained a fleet of sailing vessels at its New London, Conn. campus, but the boats were usually hand-me-downs from the U.S. Naval Academy—boats that had been sailed hard for two decades or more.

This time, when the Naval Academy received its new fleet of Navy 44 MkIIs ($1.3 million per boat, including cost over-runs), the Coastie cadets set their sights on a new boat, too. Largely due to the efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation, they got it: the new Leadership 44, built by Morris Yachts, a company best known for its high-end semi-custom yachts. As with the Navy 44 MkII ( PS , August 2008), the boat’s designer is David Pedrick, whose extensive resume ranges from America’s Cup boats to capable cruisers.

Fewer and fewer new sailboats are set up for 24/7 underway operation, so when we come across one that has the features we expect in a true offshore workhorse—offshore sleeping berths, ventilation in rough weather, a galley and head that work well underway, and a sail plan that’s efficient and easy to handle—we naturally get excited. At its heart, the Leadership 44 is a service academy boat, and its mission is to provide cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with both leadership and small-boat seamanship experience. It is more than just a platform for building teamwork and seamanship, however. Sailing skills learned at the academy often get put to use in the real world.

Now-retired USCG Capt. Kip Louttit often recalls his time spent sail training at the Coast Guard Academy. Later, as a junior officer aboard a cutter responding to a mayday call from the crew of a sailboat with engine trouble and a seasick crew, he put that training to work. Instead of plucking the crew from their unpleasant but non-life threatening seafaring experience, he and another crew member from the cutter were transferred from to the sloop. They set a reefed mainsail and jib that dampened the motion, got the engine started, charged the batteries, and then continued under sail for a couple of days to Shinnecock Inlet, where the local Coast Guard station crew took over. During the passage, they helped the owner and crew to recover from their misadventure and demonstrated how to handle an offshore passage.

Design Objectives

This sail training boat is neither an all-out-racer nor an ocean-crossing iceberg chaser. What the Coast Guard wanted was a sailboat to teach leadership skills as well as small-boat seamanship. And the reason that neither the Navy nor the Coast Guard could simply head to the Newport or Annapolis boat show and pick their boat form the fleet on display, was that nothing on the floating shelves quite met their needs. Both institutions realized that their demand for a sail-training boat required a vessel that could be driven hard and endure year after year of rough treatment ranging from wicked squalls to groundings.

Based on the Academy’s experience with its old Ludders yawls, it was clear that the demands of the mission were far more challenging than what individual owners or even charter companies placed upon mainstream production boats.

In short, the structural requirements needed to be upgraded, and functionality superseded luxury, aesthetics, and finish. For both the Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy, the right boat needed to offer the performance of a racer, the carrying capacity of a cruiser, and the durability of a workboat.

Once Pedrick had a clear picture of what the Coast Guard was looking for, he took the lessons learned from the Navy 44 project and designed a lighter-weight, fuller canoe-body sloop with a fractional rig sail plan and a carbon-fiber spar. The mission was clear, and what the superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy signed off on was a boat with, “contemporary lines, simplified rig and improved sail plan, that will meet the rigorous demands of the Coastal Sail Training Program and give the Academy excellent performance for years to come.”

Engineering

Taking weight out of a boat is easy if you’re not concerned about strength and stability. But if you are, effective engineering is the only answer to the challenge. Less ballast cuts down on weight, but you will sacrifice when in comes to the limit of positive stability or (LPS), also known as the angle of vanishing stability (AVS). Because the primary mission of the L44 lies in the coastal domain, reducing weight to increase light-air sailing ability could be justified. So the decrease in ballast and LPS was acceptable, and the result still delivered a boat that would have no trouble fulfilling the 115 stability index required for the Newport to Bermuda Race, if participation was on the agenda.

Adding a carbon mast was another weight-saver, paring away pounds where it counts the most. But when you get to the hull laminate, weight reduction with strength retention becomes more and more costly.

In order to shed some hull-and-deck weight, Morris used SP-High Modulus to engineer the laminates. The 30-year-old composite engineering company has an aircraft-savvy approach to boat building. Their SmartPac B³ system uses the designer’s files and finite element analysis to come up with a layer plan for putting the right amount of reinforcement in every given area of the boat. Then SP uses computer-controlled nesting software and fabric cutters, much the way a sailmaker cuts panels. Cloth, mat, stitched fabric, and foam are cut like parts of a tailored suit.

The process can be leveraged to favor light weight, low cost, or high strength, but not all at the same time. An advantage to the system is material standardization and less waste and clutter. The challenge lies in picking the right safety margin. Sailing loads are predictable, but wave impacts on decks or hitting a sharp edge of a large piece of flotsam may put loads where they weren’t anticipated, so how to value toughness and point load resistance to penetration also counts. The Leadership 44 mission statement doesn’t reflect as much open-ocean sea time as the Navy 44, so a slightly lower scan’tling could be justified.

Dr. Paul Miller, a naval architecture professor at the U.S. Naval Academy and consultant on the design of the Leadership 44, performed original research on the development of the laminate schedule for the Navy 44 MkII. He’s quick to point out that the Navy boat is built to a higher scan’tling and utilized more laminate in the hull and deck.

Both boats were resin-infused, a process that improves the slot filling in the core, increases the fiber-to-resin weight ratio and decreases void content. The scan’tlings of each boat fit the mission of the vessel.

The original McCurdy and Rhodes Navy 44 sloops, also built to robust scan’tlings, were pressed hard for 20 years. The boat’s success proved that enhanced structural strength is essential to achieving the durability required in a sail-training craft.

The rig and deck layout of the Leadership 44s signify a performance sailboat with a sea-going pedigree. Though not principally designed as a long distance passagemaker, the new boat bristles with offshore attributes. The low-profile cabinhouse, modest sized windows, and absence of ports in the hull emphasize impact-resistance and a readiness to handle breaking waves. The functional rub strake, a hard-won battle during the design of the Navy 44 MkII, made its way to the Leadership 44s.

The rig and rigging of the Coast Guard boat reflects the modern trend of a large mainsail and smaller jib, but by keeping shrouds inboard and avoiding excess spreader length, the ability to use a larger, over-lapping genoa remains an option. The Navy 44 MkII stuck with piston-hanking headsails and the belt-and-suspenders redundancy of a removable forestay and running backstays on an alloy spar. In this case, the designers went with the tried-and-true arrangement that would also give cadets experience with setting, reefing, and dousing non-furling sails. Whether the convenience of roller furling outweighs the experience of time on the foredeck that comes with conventional sails remains to be seen.

The Leadership 44’s rig is simpler than that of the Navy 44. A welded single-point chainplate cluster through-bolts to a no-nonsense double bracket. This transfers rig loads to a sizable knee that’s bonded into the hull and deck. The fitting is directly above the upper berths in the main saloon, so whomever draws the top bunk will soon learn whether the engineering is a success by the presence or lack of a persistent drip-drip.

The Navy 44 MkII took a different approach, creating a monocoque form incorporating the hull, deck, and chainplates. Time will tell which approach staves off the top bunk water-torture test, a recurring problem on the original Navy 44s, which featured a notoriously leaky stainless-steel angle bracket to carry the loads into the hull.

It’s nice to see a hull and deck that are designed with on-deck work as the priority. The Leadership is pleasantly free of bulging cabin sides, excess freeboard, obstacles to vault, and slick areas of untextured gelcoat. Ergonomically designed for safety and freedom of movement, particular underway, the layout offers a good model for the way a cruising boat should look.

The Tiflex Treadmaster nonskid (rated best in PS’s nonskid test, July 2012) is the epitome of un-slipperiness. Coachroof handrails are no-nonsense stainless steel, through-bolted in a fashion that is sure to keep them in place. The 30-inch double lifelines, securely attached stanchions, and effective geometry of the bow and stern pulpits are consistent with the leads for jacklines and clipping points in the cockpit—all demonstrating an ongoing concern for crew safety.

There’s no question that the design team was comprised of experienced sailors seeking to optimize running rigging and hardware location. Winches and rope clutches team up where they make sense. Gone are the six lines running to a single winch, a choke-point we often see on many over-clutched production boats. The self-tailing winches are situated where the person grinding has plenty of room to work and is not constrained to 280-degree arc. The helmsperson is isolated by the traveler, within easy reach, and a bridgedeck over the semi-open transom doubles as a carport for liferaft storage.

Though far from getting a nod of approval for sumptuous accommodations, this Pedrick/Morris interior is an elegant vision of Spartan utility. The open interior is well-ventilated with four large dorades, and it succeeds because of what it lacks as well as what has been installed. Best of all, the accommodations work at varying angles of heel and make being underway a pleasure rather than an ordeal. In some ways it’s a retro look at the utility of going to sea.

A foursome of berths is given priority in the main saloon. This is a place where an off-watch crew can get some sleep. Amidships, the motion is lessened and good ventilation optimized. There’s even a foursome of pipe berths in the forepeak that will be just fine for off-the-wind sailing or while at anchor. The head and galley are also optimally located and work well while underway.

The treat, however, is that the capable crew at Morris Yachts just couldn’t help but trim things out with just enough wood to deliver a hint of the their abiding forté. The result is a no-nonsense interior with a spacious chart table, very user friendly L-shaped galley with a deep double (small/large) sink and a heavy-duty centerline restraining bar that keeps the cook from landing in the nav-station when the boat is on a rough starboard-tack beat.

These accommodations work well in port and even better when underway.

Photo by Onne Van Der Wal courtesy of USCG

The ubiquitous Yanmar naturally aspirated 4JH4 was the engine of choice for both the Coast Guard and Navy sail trainers, and interestingly, both with traditional drivetrains rather than sail-drives. A lot of institutional mechanical know-how went into the decision, and reliability and repairability certainly played a roll. The same block can be turbo-charged for more horsepower, but the idea was nixed over concerns about added complexity, fuel consumption, range, and the irrationality of pushing a displacement vessel past hull speed.

The mission also drove tankage selection, and with a coastal itinerary being the mainstay of vessel usage, the chance to pull in and top-off lessened the need to lug lots of liquid. A 50-gallon holding tank was deemed necessary and a 130-gallon potable water supply was there just in case a Bermuda run might come into play. The scan’t 50 gallons of diesel are consistent with the idea that cadets will have no shortage of opportunities to motor from port-to-port during their training on other vessels.

One of the biggest departures from the Navy 44 is the L44’s carbon-fiber spar and fractional rig, as much a commitment to new technology as to simplifying sail handling. The mainsail has no full battens, only partials. As many racers have found, full battens on a boat with a permanent backstay can be a nuisance and rob performance in light air. The lower two battens are parallel to the boom so reefs 1, 2, and 3 can be easily tucked in, and the bunt of sail beneath the reef-point can be gathered and tied in a simple process.

The relatively small working jib is functional in a 10- to 30-knot wind range and allows the cadets to forego the foredeck two-step of sail changing as a thunderstorm rolls through at 0300. This fractional rig does require the crew to be ready to reef the large mainsail, but with good hardware and proper crew technique, it is simple to accomplish once the crew has learned the all-important lesson of not waiting too long to tuck in a reef.

The new boat comes with a conventional spinnaker, and with a crew of agile youth on board and light wind in play, there’s good reason to run spinnaker gymnastics training. We are sure that the civilian cruising version would also offer an asymmetric option with some form of removable sprit just in case your crew isn’t comprised of a half-dozen 18- to 21-year-olds.

Underway, the Leadership 44 delivers, pointing high and footing fast. One of the value-added fringe benefits of the fractional rig is that the boat will sail to weather when reefed with just the mainsail up. Another big plus is that the small jib and large mainsail combo fits a wide range of wind speeds without the need for a sail change.

The main saloon in a sailboat doesn’t need powerboat sofas to sell. And if you are planning a lot of overnight passages, it makes sense to have at least a couple berths amidships where dorade vents keep the boat ventilated and the pitching motion found in a seaway is reduced. The same goes for a galley that has sinks that drain on either tack and a stove that has room to swing through a 40-degree arc, even when the boat is already heeled 15 degrees to leeward.

In short, we like the Leadership 44 because it’s a boat to be sailed and savored during a passage rather than one that has to be endured.

Morris has plans to build two civilian versions, a racer and a performance cruiser. Draft and interior options vary, but the same quality of build and attention to detail found in the L44 will apply. The cost of these semi-custom boats is in keeping with other boats in the Morris line, and for those looking for more pure sailboat than fashion statement, it is a very valid alternative.

• Leadership 44 is Strong, Stiff, and Lightweight

• Morris yachts

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Very nice, but this is the taxpayers money and personally, I see no justification for a $1.2M expense over a high quality semi customized production boat of $400-500K. Catalina 440, for example, could meet the specs really well and for sure, the builder could add/customize anything necessary. Training USCG mariners isn’t racing, it is seamanship and sailboat handling in different real world conditions. Nitzan Sneh s/v GDY-Kids Contest 43 Boston, MA

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

Island Packet 370: What You Should Know | Boat Review

How To Make Starlink Better On Your Boat | Interview

Catalina 380: What You Should Know | Boat Review

• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Online Account Activation
• Privacy Manager

Low wind, twinkle-toed: First 44

• April 25th, 2023
• Sailing Yacht

It was quite a stirrup in the boating industry, much more naturally within the Beneteau community, when a handful of years ago during a dealer meeting Gianguido Girotti announced: “First is back!”. A n intoxicating teaser-trailer later, cheering dealers from all over the world sprung from their seats, yelling and applauding, standing ovations for minutes. Literally, I do not exaggerate. And boy it was time to re-vive the legacy of Beneteau´s long neglected performance-line. For buffs, here´s a feat: Did you know that the First-line was there long before the first Oceanis sailed? Well, this is all history, along with the story of Gianguido Girotti´s beer mat onto which – as the legend goes – he had scribbled his ideas about the new first.

Well, here we are, some years later and the new boats have already arrived: The queen herself, the majesty, the wonderful First 53 , the new smaller sub 30-feet Firsts, re-labelled Seascapes , the breathtaking First 36 that is already sold out until late 2024, early 2025. And of course, the new First 44. A boat that was much anticipated as 40-44 feet is the size for performance-oriented “Gentlemen racing”-optimized yachts.

44-footer in a highly competitive market

The new First 44 follows the design principles of Argento and Biscontini. A timeless approach since it has always been a core value of First-yachts to be considered contemporary and beautiful even after many, many years. Just look at the First 36.7 or First 40.7 which even now are reasonably nice to look at boats. I know that many people expressed some disappointment with the design of these new boats, but I must say, after the first years seeing them and working with them, I agree: They are just timeless and beautiful boats.

During my week at Beneteau Sea Trial Base in Port Ginesta near Barcelona I used the chance to board the First 44 for a sea trial. In fact the slot had been booked by a Finnish yachting journalist, Nuuti Paasinen and the yard agreed to take me with him as I functioned as something similar to a journalist as well. I already know the First 44 very well from my first encounter with her in Les Sables a year ago when I did the interior and exterior walkthrough and also from the First 44e testbed , which I extensively had a look at during Paris boat show last Christmas. But now it was for sailing.

As the skippers of Beneteau premium service readied the boat, I talked to Paasi. There is quite some competition on the performance market: Especially Italia Yachts with their 12.98 and recently launched Grand Soleil 44 are tight together. Both boats had been designed by IRC “Wunderkind” Matteo Polli and both brands offer light performance and cruising versions of the boats. Not to mention the J/45 or the “classics”, like Pogo 44 . Well, as I said, an interesting market. The First 44 I was about to board was the cruising version, a bit heavier than her fellow competitors but still a hotshot, as I was about to experience myself soon.

All boats sail good in strong winds …

Well, at least that was what I was hoping for. Looking at the pictures you, dearest reader, might have guessed it by yourself now: The weather was perfect for an Aperol Spritz in the cockpit as there was virtually no wind. Less than 6 knots in the marina and not a single frizzling on the water-surface. Our skipper, my fellow colleague Yves, right away fitted the Code 0 lightwind sail .

We dropped the moorings and went out, the mainsail was hoisted quite quickly thanks to the electric winch. I deferred Paasi to steer the first part of our trip. He held the boat into the wind and watched Yves getting up the cloth. Although wind was just above 8-9 knots TWS outside and we´ve had just the mainsail up, we killed the engine and the boat sailed along gently. A good sign.

There is a saying that all boats sail reasonably good if wind is up and strong, but a good boat shows its true capabilities when there is low or no wind. In this, although the excitement factor of this sea trial was certainly not about to go through the roof this day, I was very keen on how this 10.5 tons displacing boat would behave in these very light conditions.

Layout and running rigging of the First 44

I´ve mentioned it before, the First 44 can be ordered in “cruising” or “performance”-version. For the cruising version all lines are brought back to the four main winches which are placed just before the steering wheels at either side. For the performance-version, this is changed to a crew-optimized winch position with Genoa winches aft, two working winches on the cockpit coamings and two more winches next to the entryway down.

The cruising layout of the boat is exactly the one I am very familiar with already from the Oceanis 46.1 and 51.1 which allow for a complete single handed management of all lines from abaft. Paasi, my Finnish friend with a very nice and special sense of humor, found it a bit hard to accommodate to this layout as he tried to place himself comfortably working the winches. It must be noted that the cruising First 44 isn´t really thought to compete in races, if you seek the thrills of a regatta, you should opt the lighter and much more ergonomic performance version.

Finally the Code 0 unfurled and although – I can´t stress this enough – there wasn´t really any wind, I felt an immediate acceleration as the boat sprung to life. Paasi put the boat to an upwind/broad reaching point of sail and we gained a bit of distance to the marina. She sailed along rather nicely: Although we went sharp upwind and there were indeed small waves, I didn´t notice any slamming or smashing of the waves which indeed is a sign for a nicely designed entry and a compliment to the hull itself.

We are sailing!

The sailing performance in these light wind conditions was indeed quite impressive, at least for me: When I took over the helm and sheeted in the sails as much as I could (thanks to the nice traveler) I was able to get her to point as high as just under 30 degrees and we still sailed! Before the Code started to kill, I beared away with a quick notice to the rudders.

Looking at the naked numbers on the chart plotter, I was astonished: At 30 to 40 degrees AWA and winds of 6.5 to 9 knots the boat harvested always way more than 70 percent of the wind speed and turned it into boatspeed. The Code 0 is a very efficient sail and why every sailor should have light wind sails such as a Code 0 and a Gennaker aboard has again been confirmed impressively.

Whilst Paasi and Yves went down to speak about her interiors, I had the boat for myself so I veered the sheets and brought her to an ideal 90 degrees AWA, she increased her speed yet again and was pure fun to sail. Sure, with such low wind and almost no waves as there wasn´t any significant fetch, the excitement was not that high, but I learned to appreciate the First 44´s sailing capabilities.

Push-button-sailing

Sailing the – at least cruising version – First 44 is effortless. If the boat is ordered in full spec, the whole boat can be sailed by just pushing buttons. And I don´t mean the ordinary buttons directly at the winch but those on the helm station controls. You just put on the right rope to the right winch and if rewind winches are ordered, you can sheet in and veer out. Although I wasn´t really impressed with the rewind-speed, this is done much faster by hand.

The First 44 can also be equipped with water ballast. This is presumably an option that is most interesting for seriously race-oriented skippers with minimum crew. The tanks will take in 300 liters of sea water each, optimizing pointing abilities and adding counter-weight when sailing strictly upwind. In this, there are as of this date only fragments of data available on the performance version: The mast will be 1.5 meters higher, but no info on the sails area yet (classic mast has 106 sq m, carbon mast has 120 sq. m.), the boat won´t have a windlass, no helm consoles, no HiFi equipment (Hooray!), no cockpit table but more winches, as said, 200 instead of 330 litres of fresh water, lithium batteries instead of AGM (weight saving 110 kg) and a longer bow sprit. I will keep on trying to get aboard a First 44 performance, for sure!

Impressively light-footed on the rudders

Back to our cruising 44. I found her impressively light on the rudders. Even at the end of our sea trial when the wind eased furthermore, I could always steer her very precisely. Of course there is no feel nor any feedback in the carbon wheels but she reacts very promptly and translates steering impulses to immediate reactions.

When on hard rudder – even with just 4 knots of boat speeds – her turn rate is surprisingly fast. For a boat that big I found her light-footed and fun to steer. I can imagine the thrills and fun when steering this yacht in a regatta-field fighting for the best position in a starting line or holding one´s ground in a match race.

Paasi took many pictures for his Finnish sailing magazine and I hope to one day receive a copy (in English?) of his impressions of the boat. I felt he liked her very much, although as a true descendent of the Vikings he must have had much more cravings for a proper breeze and at least some sailing action.

We opened the sheets and went to a near broad reaching course to return to the base as the next couple of guys arrived at the pontoon to get their pre-booked sea trial. 44 feet is a nice size that is big enough to offer a spacious cockpit, nicely sized cabins and socializing areas. Also, the hull is big enough to achieve quick speeds and the platform is stable enough to cope with high seas and offshore weather.

Who is going to go for a First 44?

She is not a Polli-style racer nor a Pogo-style downwind-flyer. I can envision a sailing afficionado who insists of good sailing performance, maybe an occasional Gentlemen´s race of fun regatta but who also has a focus on cruising comforts for his family and friends. The First 44 delivers both of those points and I think she has the potential to combine the best of both worlds. The one who seeks the all-out war on the racetrack, still, Italia Yachts or Grand Soleil might be the better choice, performance-wise surely. But Beneteau offers the First 44 to a price that is super competitive and – I can speak with confidence here – offers the best after-sales and spare parts network and service of the industry.

Yves gallantly lands the First 44 at her pontoon right next to her bigger sister, the First 53. It was a wonderfully lush sailing day out but also a salutary one. I´ve learned again that a sailboat needs to be equipped with good sails. I´ve also learned that low wind sailing can show new sides of a boat´s character. Thanks Yves for the great day – and I hope to see the First 44´s biting sister, the performance-version, soon: Preferably with a bit more wind.

Connected articles which may be of interest:

Walkthrough of the First 44 from outside and her interiors

Beneteau´s testbed: First 44e with twin electric drive pods and Torqeedo

About the legend of the First 36.7

• Yachts Rentals
• Tips & Tricks

Boat Rental Market to Reach $31.2 Billion by 2031: Allied

Clutch exotics now offering luxury car and yacht rentals, 5 must-do activities in fort lauderdale, otedola charters multi-million iconic superyacht christina o as he turns 60, exclusive report on yacht rental industry: market size will, our pick of the very best kit for boaters, golden globe skipper tapio lehtinen rescued by fellow competitor after 24…, orca interactions with boats ‘expected’ to stop, can the america’s cup make great tv, starlink for yachts: true remote connection for your boat, vacation ideas: travel in style with these useful tips, 5 tips of yachting for beginners, water travel options that don’t involve a cruise : travel tips…, how this entrepreneur is disrupting the yacht rental industry, discover turkey’s beauty via yacht, the new boreal 44.2, a great aluminum bluewater cruiser.

Greater than 10 years in the past Boreal stormed the aluminum sailboat market with a ship that will be an enormous success and would launch a brand new model that will occupy a major place amongst voyage aluminum boat builders.

The boat had fashionable strains however regarded unrefined in what regards seems to be and inside design, even so, the boat qualities make it a hit most likely as a result of it was designed by a sailor, Jean-François Delvoye that had completed a 6-year circumnavigation with the household, on a ship that he had constructed himself. After the circumnavigation, he had very clear concepts about what the enhancements ought to be to implement on a voyage boat to turn into the perfect boat to make the sort of cruising he had executed, his excellent yacht.

His concepts have been enriched by those of nice sailors he met on his voyages, all with a style for crusing in distant and remoted locations (he spent two years crusing in Patagonia). Clearly, if he was a distinct sort of sailor, not crusing with an enormous household (4 youngsters), or with out a style for crusing in high-latitudes, chilly and abandoned locations, the perfect yacht can be very completely different and I can guarantee you that there’s not one thing just like the “finest yacht on the earth”,  being the “finest yacht” very completely different, for various sailors .

He wished: “a ballasted boat with a centerboard going windward, with out slamming into the waves and with a delicate helm…an ergonomic cockpit with 2 sheltered outdoors seats…an actual visibility for the helmsman whereas crusing and maneuvering…an actual watertight door… an inside station with an enormous chart desk, permitting you to observe at 360° from inside whereas navigating…massive storage capacities and essential fuel and water tanks….the chance to retailer massive stuff …a roomy and welcoming cockpit…a properly thought air flow…a middle boarder to seaside and to go in so many locations you can not go into with an enormous draught.”

And he had managed all this on the 44, even when issues like actual visibility for the helmsman or that  360º inside view from a station have been relative, and the selection of a centerboard implied a substantial loss in sail efficiency, besides downwind, however being this a voyage boat, commerce winds can be by far the predominant, and that drawback much less essential.

For minimizing the pace drawback because of extreme weight, a centerboarder has to have a worse AVS and worse security stability than a bluewater fin-keeled boat, with a substantial draft and a bulbed keel. Dutch centerboarders, which at this time are virtually extinct, didn’t go that means and for providing an identical AVS and security stability had round a 50percentB/D.

That made them very gradual boats, even downwind, if the wind was not robust, and unable to plan in stronger winds. That’s not the case of the French centerboarders, particularly the larger ones (smaller steel boats are proportionally heavier) and the unique Boreal 44 had a 36percentB/D, which could be thought of excessive if we in comparison with the one of many OVNI 450 (32%), particularly if we contemplate that the ballast within the OVNI is contained in the boat and the one of many Boreal was totally on a sort of brief keel, from midships to the again of the hull.

Notice that to be permitted as Class A the boat has to have a minimal AVS however that minimal decreases with the boat dimension (with mass) and on a ship with 10 430kg just like the Boreal 44, that minimal is simply 100º, even when that’s thought of by most as unsuitable for a bluewater boat. 

Notice that I’m not saying that the Boreal 44 has solely a 100º AVS, fairly the opposite, because of the buoyancy of the partially closed dodger, with a water-proof door, the AVS is increased than the one of many OVNI 450, however the security stability can be shut, or very comparable, and really removed from the considered one of a bluewater boat with a keel, like a Hallberg Rassy or an X-yacht.

The cabin and dodger buoyancy won’t have an effect on positively the soundness curve besides in angles very close to 90º (or over), and that signifies that when the boat is knocked down, it won’t have an effect on the pressure that the RM is making for righting the boat. The a part of the soundness curve that’s used for righting a ship from excessive heel angles is what I name security stability, and if the AVS Boreal is sweet (because of cabin and dodger buoyancy), that’s not the case with the protection stability (because of the low B/D).

Notice additionally that any such centerboarders can elevate the board up and nonetheless stay with the identical stability, and in unhealthy climate with the centerboard up, they won’t journey on the keel when the boat is hit laterally by a breaking wave. That permits them to dissipate the wave vitality sliding laterally, whereas a standard sailboat, with a big and deep immersed keel, would have the larger a part of the wave vitality reworked in a rotating motion. 

This is a bonus centerboards have over different sailboats, particularly those with keels with a big space, however doesn’t diminish the issue when the boat is knocked down, and that may occur simply by an enormous wind gust or an enormous breaking wave, leaving it uncovered for a comparatively very long time, on the facet, virtually with out remaining stability, on the mercy of the following wave. 

That’s the reason it is sensible for these sort of boats to be massive, 44ft or larger, sizes that give them massive total stability (hull type stability and displacement) that makes tougher, and even unbelievable, a capsize on of very uncommon sea and climate circumstances.  That can also be why the SA/D of any such boat is often smaller than the one that may maintain a knockdown with none important drawback (with the ability to proper itself up instantly) and the smaller SA/D additionally diminishes the knockdown danger.

The expertise exhibits that capsizes with any such sailboats are uncommon, particularly with this dimension or larger, and even when I contemplate it essential to find out about its limitations (to sail it accordingly) the Boreal 44 is a seaworthy boat, with an enormous hull type stability and large total stability.

The brand new one could have an even bigger hull type stability because of an even bigger beam (4.39 to 4.30m) however a significantly smaller B/D 28.7% to 36.4%. The ballast is similar on each boats however whereas the older mannequin gentle displacement was 10 430kg, the brand new one displaces 13 250kg, an enormous distinction for such a  small distinction in size (13.80 to 13.87).

As a result of each displacements are in lightship situation, the distinction in weight can solely partially be attributed to an even bigger beam and better freeboards, but it surely must be due additionally to a extra closely constructed boat, and that may be good on any such boat, however not the absence of the correspondent improve in ballast, to have the identical B/D.

After all, every part is a trade-off and the 1027kg further ballast (most likely extra as a result of it must be positioned contained in the hull) that the brand new boat would want to have the identical B/D because the older mannequin, would make the boat even heavier and slower, contemplating that it’s already 2820kg heavier than the earlier mannequin.

With this B/D and contemplating that the ballast is in a small keel outdoors the hull, in what regards security stability this boat shouldn’t be removed from the OVNI 450, which displaces 11 550kg, whereas the earlier mannequin would have appreciable larger security stability and AVS. Nonetheless, the general stability will probably be larger on the Boreal 44.2 because of the larger displacement.

And that is the one factor I do not like on the brand new model (a lot larger displacement and smaller B/D), even when the general stability is greater that is going to be a slower sailboat, even with barely larger sails. The older model had the identical sail space in the principle and genoa (45 and 55m2) and solely the staysail (this boat has a cutter rig) handed from 22 to 26m2. Displacing extra 2820kg and with virtually the identical sail space and extra beam, this boat goes to be significantly slower than the unique Boreal 44.

All the remaining appears a lot nicer, from the hull design to the general design. The boat doesn’t appear any extra amateur-designed, it appears properly designed and fashionable, particularly regarding the outdoors.

Concerning the within, the apparently bigger window surfaces are solely beauty and do not translate in inside considerably larger “home windows” neither by a extra luminous inside (having as reference the 47.2).

If in comparison with the inside of the final fashions of different manufacturers of voyage aluminum sailboats, those from Boreal appear of excellent high quality and sensible, however present clearly that they aren’t designed by a prime inside designer and lack fashion, magnificence, and design high quality. I hope that the enhancements in design refinement, that the brand new boat clearly exhibits on the surface, goes to be adopted by an equal improve in inside design high quality.

One other factor that deserves to be identified is that the centerboard on the Boreal 44.2 is smaller than on the Allures 45.9, OVNI 450, or Garcia 45 (2.48 draft to 2.90m in all of them) and this can contribute to worse upwind efficiency, that’s not a very good one amongst of them (if in contrast with a bluewater fin keel yacht): within the gentle wind because of the further ballast. And in robust winds because of much less energy, there’s not an identical and proportional improve in RM when the boat heels to greater heel crusing angles (increased CG).

Aluminum sailboats are usually costlier than most fiberglass boats and the large improve in aluminum value didn’t assist. This boat prices on the shipyard (France), customary with two sails, with out electronics, with out taxes 538 525€ that’s barely lower than what prices an Xc-45 and in addition barely lower than a Saare 46, however a bit greater than the additionally Aluminum Allures 45.9.

An accurate value, making an allowance for the standard of the constructing and the excessive resistance of the hull (that has a bow that may break ice) and that’s mirrored in an extended ready listing. If you happen to order one now, it will likely be delivered solely in 2025.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Golden globe skipper tapio lehtinen rescued by fellow competitor after 24 hours in liferaft, flight of the dragons: a pilgrimage aboard a stunning classic yacht, 8 feature-rich vhf options for your boat, 7 action cameras for capturing your adventures afloat, easing of restrictions for eu vat paid yachts delayed, how much does it cost to rent the yacht on below deck.

POPULAR POSTS

The best paddle board deals available right now, new jeanneau so 380 versus dehler 38sq and new salona 39, popular category.

• Yachts Rentals 37
• Tips & Tricks 11

Sailing Yachts Dufour

Dufour yachts dna.

Constantly looking to the future, Dufour as a boat Manufacturer , designs each new model to provide pleasure and feel in complete serenity, whatever your cruising project and however you use your yacht. For over 60 years, we have been designing and building innovative, high-performance sailing boats . Marked by an assertive character and an identity recognisable among the crowd, Dufour yachts suit your desires and your boating programme to offer you amazing and comfortable sailing experiences and the pride of owning an elegant and safe yacht from an emblematic brand…

Our range of sailing yachts

The Dufour range of sailing boats comprises 9 iconic models, designed to suit every sailing programme. For long-term family cruising, or enjoyable weekends along the coast, or for racing and pushing the experience of heeling to the max. For over 60 years, Dufour yachts has a boat manufacturer have demonstrated their adaptability and versatility through beautiful innovations.

Dufour 37 sailboat

Dufour 390 sailboat

Dufour 430 sailboat

Dufour 44 Sailboat

Dufour 470 sailboat

Dufour 530 sailboat

Dufour 56 sailboat

Dufour 61 Sailboat

Dufour Virtual marina

Just as if you were really there… Embark aboard the model of your choice from the Dufour sailing yacht range thanks to an immersive tour that begins on the pontoons of the new Dufour Virtual Marina, offering the most realistic visiting experience ever! Exterior views of the range, visits from the deck of the boats to the interior by choosing the Vintage and the version that suits you… Everything is brought together to offer you a complete and interactive opportunity to discover the range from the comfort of your own home…

Dufour Sailing boats experience

Owners of Dufour sailing boats are sailing all the seas of the world… Because their stories are our greatest pride and joy… Because these sailing stories are for us the best proof that the Dufour experience is both unique and shared… We invite you to discover, through real stories, Instagram photos or even from the Dufour community site, a glimpse of what life on board a Dufour Yacht is all about…

Environmental commitments

Dufour is committed to preserving the oceans and marine wildlife, and is launching with Fountaine Pajot, its own collaborative innovation platform #ODSeaLab . An accelerator of technological solutions whose goal is to transform production processes and the choice of materials, and mainly to implement innovations in renewable energy production , electricity storage and the electrification of propulsion and life on board..

News and Boat Shows

• All the news

Miami International Boat Show starts today!

Dufour nautic days online 2023, dufour 530, an incomparable 16-meter yacht.

• All the boat shows

Salon Nautique de La Ciotat

Dufour cup | marseille, palma international boat show, follow the dufour experience.

• Request a brochure
• More information
• Find a dealer
• Book a seatrial
• Receive an offer
• Request a  brochure
• More info rmation
• Find a  dealer
• Book a  seatrial
• Receive an  offer

• Prospective Students
• Faculty/Staff
• Division of Professional Development
• USNA Sailing Center

Navy 44 Information

The Navy 44 Mark II Sail Training Craft (N 44) is the latest of four generations of one-design offshore cruiser/racers to be authorized and funded by Congress for training midshipmen. The end of World War II brought the first fleet of 12 matched 44' wooden yawls designed by Naval Architect Bill Luders to the Naval Academy. After 25 years of hard service they were replaced by 12 fiberglass Luders 44' yawls, designed with the same exterior lines as the original boats, but with an interior that accommodated an auxiliary engine and navigation space with a chart table. After 25 years of offshore and Chesapeake Bay sailing, these boats were ready for replacement. The competition for the Navy 44 Mark I design was won by the firm of McCurdy & Rhodes, Inc. of Cold Spring Harbor, New York. The construction contract was awarded to Tillotson-Pearson, Inc. of Warren, Rhode Island. The first boat was delivered in 1987 and the 20th and last boat was delivered in 1991. The Mark Is were sailed for 20 years of near daily use. The current N 44 was designed by David Pedrick Designs with construction awarded to Pearson Composites, Inc of Warren, Rhode Island. The first hull (NA-21) was delivered in September 2007 and the 16th (NA-36) was delivered in January 2011. 

You will find the links below very helpful if you are first learning to sail the Navy 44 (MKII or MKI) or have been sailing one for years.

Navy 44 MK II Information (NA21-36) *Only type of Navy 44 in our current fleet*

• Boat Information Book (BIB)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• FURUNO NAVNET TZT14
• FURUNO AIS FA50
• IC M506 VHF
• ICOM M802 SSB Radio

Navy 44 MK I Information (NA1-20) *For historical reference*

• Systems Lecture
• Navy 44 Sail Configurations   1 per page   |   4 per page
• How to rig the Preventer
• Basic Sail Trim for the Navy 44
• Wind ranges for sails
• Electronics quick reference
• Flooding vs Bilge pumps on a Navy 44
• An orientation on the Navy 44
• An orientation for getting a Navy 44 underway
• GPS (Garmin 152)
• HF SSB (SEA 222)
• Radar (R20)
• Sailing Instruments - Hecta Depth (NA 1-8)
• Sailing Instruments - Hornet 4 (NA 1-8)
• Sailing Instruments - Hydra 330 (NA 9-20)
• System Voltage Status Monitor
• VHF (Icom 100)
• VHF (Icom 120)
• Electric Bilge Pump
• Manual Bilge Pump
• FW Foot Pump
• LPG Solenoid
• Racor filter
• Reefer (Technautics)
• Shower Sump Pump
• Steering (Edson)
• Throttle Control
• Westerbeke Diesel
• Deck - Top View
• Deck - Side View
• Cockpit Layout
• Cabin Layout
• Bleeding the Engine
• Aerial view of the boat sailing
• View of the bottom out of the water
• View looking aft toward quarterberth
• View looking forward into forepeak
• View of the prop & shaft
• View of the fwd bottom
• View of the aft bottom
• Navy D-Qual

Home > Find Your Sail > Search by Make and Model > Es > Es 44

" * " indicates required fields

Step 1 of 3

Let's Get to Know Each Other

Let's connect, why it's important to partner with a designer on your es 44 sail.

The design is the most critical part of your new sail. Ensuring the sail fits and performs its best is a must for our crew. The Precision Sails Design team are experts at their craft. Unlike other sail lofts all of our sailors work one-on-one with a designer to perfect their Es 44 sail.

No Two Es 44 Sails Are Alike

There are many factors that affect the performance and design of your sails. Location, sailing experience, and weather conditions all come into play when picking the perfect sail. Two mainsails made for two Es 44’s in California and Florida will have different designs, sailcloth, and options based on what is best for the sailor.

Taking measurements is easy. All sailors work alongside our measurement team to measure and confirm their rig specs. This helps ensure your design is flawless and allows us to extend our Perfect Fit Guarantee to all of our sailors.

Discover the best cloth for your sailing needs, our sail details, or more about how Precision Sails is leading the sail-making industry with innovative new practices.

Proudly offering the largest selection of sailcloth in the industry, our team is always available to help you find your perfect sail. Whether you're a weekend sailor, coastal cruiser, or club racer our team is ready to walk you through the process.

Types of Sails

Precision Sail Loft specializes in producing headsails, mainsails, spinnakers, gennakers, and code zeros. So no matter the type of sail you’re looking for, we can help. Our sails are trusted by cruisers and racers alike from around the globe. Review the sail options and craftsmanship available to customize your dream sail.

Build & Process

Every sail we craft is produced to the highest standards with the best hardware, craftsmanship, and skill-set in the industry. Pair that with Precision Sails' approach to communication and your sailboat will be ready to set sail before you know it.

Unparalleled Commitment To Helping Sailors

As experts in design, communication, and production our team is ready to take on the task of making sails for your boat. Give us a call to get started.

“ I just received my asymmetrical spinnaker, with sock and turtle bag, along with a new 135 Genoa. The entire process was simple and both sales and the design team were in regular contact if there were any questions. The customer portal was easy to use and lets you keep track of where in the process your sails are. Great sails, great service -Graham Edwards (Facebook)

“ The whole team at Precision Sails was fantastic from start to finish. We’ve had a laminate main and genoa made so far and have a spinnaker on the way. They listened carefully to our needs and recommended a great sail cloth. We couldn’t have gotten more bang for our buck! -Noah Regelous (Google)

“ We received our spinnaker and launched it yesterday and I just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with it. The service we received from your company was exceptional and the quality of your product is second to none. We will certainly be return customers in the next few months to replace our main and jib sails and will recommend your company to all our sailing buddies. Once again-thank you.” -Daniel Jackson (Google)

“ we had good communication during the planning stages and the knowledgeable people at precision sails really got me fixed up good! The sails look and work fabulous! my boat sails better than it ever had! couldn’t be more pleased with the product AND the service!” -Fred Jelich (Facebook)

“ Our new furling jib for a Corsair 27 Had to be specially designed due to the height of the furler, but this was accomplished quickly and in short order we had our sail which fits beautifully and has a great shape. It’s everything we could have wanted, high tech design, thoughtfully executed and affordable.” -Nancy Y. (Yelp)

Request a Es 44 Quote

Looking to buy a new headsail or mainsail for your Es 44? Request a free quote from Precision Sails for a new custom sail. Our team will work with you to design the perfect sail for you.

• Types of Sailboats
• Parts of a Sailboat
• Cruising Boats
• Small Sailboats
• Design Basics
• Sailboats under 30'
• Sailboats 30'-35
• Sailboats 35'-40'
• Sailboats 40'-45'
• Sailboats 45'-50'
• Sailboats 50'-55'
• Sailboats over 55'
• Masts & Spars
• Knots, Bends & Hitches
• The 12v Energy Equation
• Electronics & Instrumentation
• Build Your Own Boat
• Buying a Used Boat
• Choosing Accessories
• Living on a Boat
• Cruising Offshore
• Sailing in the Caribbean
• Anchoring Skills
• Sailing Authors & Their Writings
• Mary's Journal
• Nautical Terms
• Cruising Sailboats for Sale
• List your Boat for Sale Here!
• Used Sailing Equipment for Sale
• Sell Your Unwanted Gear
• Sailing eBooks: Download them here!
• Your Sailboats
• Your Sailing Stories
• Your Fishing Stories
• Advertising
• What's New?
• Chartering a Sailboat
• Cruising Yachts 40' to 45'

The CSY 44 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The CSY 44 was built by Caribbean Sailing Yachts (CSY), a company founded by David Walters in Florida in 1971. CSY specialized in building heavy-duty sailboats for chartering in the Caribbean, but also sold some boats directly to private owners or as kits for self-finishing. CSY went out of business in 1981 due to financial difficulties and lawsuits from unhappy customers.

Published Specification for the CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

Underwater Profile:  Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall:  44'0" (13.4m)

Waterline Length:  36'0" (11.0m)

Beam:  13'4" (4.1m)

Draft:  6'6" (2.0m),  Shoal Draft version 5'0" (1.5m)

Rig Type:  Cutter

Displacement:  38,000lb (17,327kg)

Designer:  Peter Schmitt & Frank Hamlin

Builder:  CSY Yacht Corp. (Caribbean Sailing Yachts)

Year First Built:  1977

The CSY 44 is a sailboat that has stood the test of time, capturing the hearts of sailing enthusiasts worldwide. Known for its remarkable design and sturdy construction, the CSY 44 embodies adventure, freedom, and challenge – sentiments that resonate with every sailor.

Design Ratios: The Key Performance Indicators

One of the key aspects that determine the performance of a sailboat is its published design ratios.

• The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D) of the CSY 44 is 16.65, suggesting that it offers a moderate performance under sail; it is neither too sluggish nor excessively high-strung.
• Its Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D)  is 38.3%, which indicates a good stability, especially under harsh weather conditions. This ratio is an important factor, as it reflects the boat's ability to right itself after being heeled over by the wind.
• The Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L) of the CSY 44 is 301.4. This relatively high value means that the boat has a heavy displacement, which generally means a smoother, more comfortable ride, especially in rough waters.
• The Comfort Ratio of the CSY 44 is 34.3, signifying that it provides a high level of seaworthiness and comfort for long-distance cruising. This makes it an excellent choice for those who value comfort and stability over pure speed.
• The Capsize Screening Formula for the CSY 44 is 1.78, well below the 2.0 threshold, suggesting a lower risk of capsizing. This is a critical safety aspect for any potential buyer.

But what are these Design Ratios and how are they derived?

Alternatives & Options

The CSY 44 comes in various design and construction options. The most popular configurations are the sloop, cutter, and ketch. Each of these setups has its own advantages and are chosen based on the specific sailing requirements of the owner.

• The sloop version of the CSY 44, with a single mast and generally two sails, is known for its simplicity and efficiency, making it a good choice for solo or short-handed sailing.
• The cutter configuration, characterized by its split rig allowing for a more balanced sail plan, is ideal for offshore cruising. It provides greater flexibility and handling in varying wind conditions.
• The ketch version, with two masts, allows for a variety of sail combinations making it extremely versatile, especially in high winds and over long passages.

There were also three hull versions of the CSY 44: Pilot House, Mid-Cockpit, and Walk Through.

• The Pilot House version has an aft cockpit and a second steering station inside the cabin.
• The Mid-Cockpit version, also known as the Walk-Over, has a centre cockpit and a separate aft cabin accessible from the deck.
• The Walk Through version has a centre cockpit and an aft cabin connected to the main cabin by a passageway.

Most boats were delivered with the ketch rig, but some had a sloop or cutter rig.

The CSY 44 has two keel options: shoal or deep.

• The shoal keel has a draft of four feet and a ballast of 10,000 pounds. The deep keel has a draft of six feet and a ballast of 12,000 pounds.
• The shoal keel is more suitable for shallow waters, while the deep keel offers better stability and performance.

Praise or Otherwise

The CSY 44 received positive reviews from the sailing press for its sturdy construction, spacious interior, and good sailing performance.

Cruising World Magazine included the CSY 44 in its list of the 40 best sailboats of all time.

Sailboat Guide described the CSY 44 as "a ruggedly built mid-cockpit cutter also available in a pilothouse version" that was "as appealing to cruising traditionalists as it was to the charter fleet" .

The boat has been praised for its strong, heavy-duty construction, spacious interior design, and impressive sea-keeping abilities.

Owners of the CSY 44 generally praise their boats for their durability, comfort, and seaworthiness. They also appreciate the ample storage space, tankage, and headroom that the CSY 44 offers.

Some common complaints from owners are the high maintenance costs, the lack of ventilation in some cabins, and the difficulty of finding spare parts.

Known strengths of the CSY 44 include its robust build, ease of handling, comfortable accommodation, and excellent performance in heavy weather.

However, like any boat, it is not without its weaknesses. Some reviews have mentioned the need for regular maintenance, particularly of the teak woodwork. Its heavy displacement also means it may not be as nimble or quick as lighter yachts in light wind conditions.

The Secondhand Market

The availability of CSY 44 sailboats on the secondhand market varies. As a classic and sought-after model, it often sells quickly when it does appear on the market.

Prices for a secondhand CSY 44 can vary widely depending on its age, condition, and the extent of its fittings and equipment. As a rough guide, prices tend to range from $80,000 to $150,000.

According to YachtWorld.com, as of September 2023, there are eight CSY 44s for sale ranging from $37,500 to $150,000.

As a buyer, undertaking the due diligence to understand the CSY 44 in depth is crucial. A boat is a significant investment, and choosing the right one could mean the difference between a joyous sailing experience and a financial disaster.

Similar Sailboats

When comparing the CSY 44 with other similar boats in its class, it holds its own in terms of performance, comfort, and seaworthiness.

It is often compared to the Tayana 42 , another popular choice among cruising enthusiasts. While the Tayana might have a slightly more modern design, the CSY 44 typically offers more space and sturdiness.

The Endeavor 43 is another boat that is often compared with the CSY 44. Both boats are similar in size and displacement, but the CSY 44 boasts better offshore capabilities and a more comfortable ride, according to many sailors.

The CSY 44 is also often compared to the Gulfstar 44 . While the Gulfstar may offer a faster speed, the CSY 44 provides a smoother, more comfortable ride, making it a preferred choice for long cruises.

While the CSY 44 may not be the newest or flashiest boat on the market, it has a proven track record and a loyal following among cruising enthusiasts. Its reputation for sturdiness, sea-kindliness, and comfortable living quarters make it a compelling choice for those planning long voyages.

The CSY 44 is more than just a sailboat; it's a lifestyle choice. For those who dream of exploring distant shores and embracing the challenges that come with it, the CSY 44 is the perfect vessel to turn those dreams into reality.

In conclusion, whether you're a seasoned sailor looking for a reliable cruiser or a newbie with dreams of circumnavigation, the CSY 44 offers a compelling blend of performance, comfort, and seaworthiness.

So, when you see a CSY 44 for sale, consider it not just as a purchase, but as an investment towards your future sailing adventures.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com

Recent Articles

'Natalya', a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS for Sale

Mar 17, 24 04:07 PM

'Wahoo', a Hunter Passage 42 for Sale

Mar 17, 24 08:13 AM

Used Sailing Equipment For Sale

Feb 28, 24 05:58 AM

Here's where to:

• Find  Used Sailboats for Sale...
• Find Used Sailing Gear for Sale...
• List your Sailboat for Sale...
• List your Used Sailing Gear...
• Sign-up for our newsletter, 'The Sailboat Cruiser' ...
• Identify this month's Mystery Boat...

Our eBooks...

A few of our Most Popular Pages...

Copyright © 2024  Dick McClary  Sailboat-Cruising.com

• Oceanis 30.1
• Oceanis 34.1
• Oceanis 37.1
• Oceanis 40.1
• Oceanis 46.1
• Oceanis 51.1
• Oceanis Yacht 54
• Oceanis Yacht 60
• FIGARO BENETEAU 3
• Heritage sailing yacht
• Flyer 6 SUNdeck
• FLYER 6 SPACEdeck
• Flyer 7 SUNdeck
• Flyer 7 SPACEdeck
• Flyer 8 SUNdeck
• Flyer 8 SPACEdeck
• Flyer 9 SUNdeck
• Flyer 9 SPACEdeck
• Antares 7 Fishing
• Antares 8 Fishing
• ANTARES 11 FLY
• Gran Turismo 32
• Gran Turismo 36
• Gran Turismo 41
• Gran Turismo 45
• Swift Trawler 35
• Swift trawler 41 Sedan
• Swift trawler 41 Fly
• Swift Trawler 48
• Grand Trawler 62
• Heritage motorboats
• Architects and Designers
• Become a BENETEAU boat owner
• Tests and Awards

*Recommended retail price. Value-Added Tax is subject to change, according to the country of purchase. For pricing information, availability and product characteristics, thank you to contact your dealer.

• Description
• Main Points

Specifications

This lovely sailing yacht, with a remarkable design, is today the natural link between the  First 36  and  First 53 . It combines performance, elegance and comfort thanks to the quality of its equipment, which offers unequalled sailing pleasure.

With the new FIRST 44, BENETEAU draws to the noblest expression of the term “racer/cruiser”: an elegant and comfortable yacht that provides unequaled pleasure under sail. The generous sail plan allows the First 44 to be lively and efficient in all conditions.

Naval architect : BISCONTINI YACHT DESIGN Exterior & interior design : LORENZO ARGENTO

Exterior design

The FIRST 44 is presented in two main setups, FIRST 44 and FIRST 44 PERFORMANCE, with a different deck plan and options for keels and masts.

In the FIRST 44 version, the cockpit is very convivial with a lovely cockpit table as well as its fluidity with a level access to the large clear gangways. Four winches, a fixed centerline block for the mainsheet and a mast that is set further aft all maximize the potential of her modern sailplan, defined by a slender mainsail and generously sized foresails. Two 350-litre ballast tanks, which can be activated electrically from the helm consoles, make it possible to maintain the boat's full potential.

On the FIRST 44 PERFORMANCE, deck ergonomics were studied and developed with fully crewed regattas in mind. Equipment and systems are totally geared towards racing, among which should be mentioned the foam non-skid surfaces that replace the teak on the cockpit sole, six well-placed winches and a conventional mainsail traveller.

Interior design

The First 44 offers a streamlined interior layout that is modern and luminous, with a blend of white lacquered surfaces, moulded woods and tasteful upholsteries. 

With three cabins and two heads, the interior is designed with quality finishes and materials to create a refined atmosphere.

In the saloon, the transverse table seats up to six people and faces the sofa and navigation station; its position in relation to the mast facilitates circulation between the galley and the owner's cabin, enhancing the feeling of space.

A dual design

The FIRST 44 has been designed with 2 deck plans to satisfy the various expectations of its owners: FIRST 44 and FIRST 44 PERFORMANCE.

The First 44 combines elegance and modernity with white lacquered furniture and moulded wood, carefully positioned indirect lighting and a wide range of upholstery.

The First 44 takes full benefit of BENETEAU's expertise and the knowledge of the best experts. More requested by their owners, the Firsts are the subject of very advanced development; the engineering was therefore entrusted to the Mer Forte design office, well known in ocean racing, and which held the same role for the Figaro Bénéteau 3. 

First 44 is born

Walkthrough, a connected boat.

The mobile application, Seanapps , and its onboard unit lets you view the status of the boat's various systems (battery charge, fuel or water tank levels, maintenance scheduling) via your smartphone, as well as planning your route or reviewing your sailing status using your mobile phone.

Virtual tour

Length Overall

Beam overall

13'11''

Lightship Displacement

Air Draught Max

72’9’'

Draught Min

Draught Max

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

Max. engine power

CE Certification

A12 / B12 / C14

First 44 – standard draft

First 44 – shoal draft

Performance draft

Performance draft ballast weight

Interior layout

First 44 deck plan

First 44 Performance deck plan

HARKEN HARDWARE

SV Lenny takes a spot on the 2023 Transpac podium!

After 11 days at sea, the SV Lenny and her crew placed second in their class. The crew gave their feedback on the boat pre and post race.

2023 Transpac - Meet the Crew of SV Lenny

In June 2023, a few days before SV Lenny started the 2023 Transpac, we spoke to the crew about the race, the boat and their connection to the legendary BENETEAU First boats. 

Nautic boat show 2022 : Spotlight on remarkable sustainable innovations at BENETEAU

BENETEAU has decided to follow the path of innovation to reduce the environmental impact of sailing. Practical yet ground-breaking innovations that were visible on the First 44e and the Oceanis 30.1e sailing yachts world premiered at the Nautic Boat Show in Paris.

Beneteau services

With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

Other boats from the range

4.3 m / 14’1’’

1.7 m / 5’7’’

7.29 m / 23’ 11’’

2.5 m / 8’ 2’’

7.99 m / 26’ 3’’

2.54 m / 8’ 4’’

10.97 m / 36'0"

3.8 m / 12'6''

17.12 m / 56’2’’

5 m / 16’5’’

Select your area and your language

• Chinese, Simplified

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Swan 44 (S&S)

Swan 44 (S&S) is a 43 ′ 11 ″ / 13.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Nautor (Swan sailboats) between 1972 and 1978.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

S&S design #2112. Shown here is the tall mast version, of which 62 were built. Also sold in the US as PJ-44 (S&S #2112.1).ort Rig: I: 55.0’ J: 18.6’ P: 48.5’ E: 15.0’

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

Discover Related Sailboats

Cruising World: 40 Best Sailboats

Cruising World polled their readers to determine the best sailboats of all time.

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.