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Alden 44
Designer: Alden Associates/Nils Helleberg  ·  Builder: Alden Yachts/Tillotson Pearson (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Alden 44

Designed by Alden Associates and Nils Helleberg, this classic cutter-rigged cruiser represents the traditional approach to offshore sailing that made Alden Yachts legendary among serious blue-water sailors. Built between 1976 and 1991 with only 40 hulls launched, the Alden 44 commands respect for its conservative design philosophy and seaworthy characteristics. The boat's substantial displacement of 24,500 pounds and generous ballast ratio create exceptional stability and motion comfort in challenging conditions. With a comfort ratio of 35.31 and capsize screening value of 1.72, this yacht prioritizes safety and crew comfort over speed, making it an ideal platform for extended offshore passages and serious coastal cruising. The deep keel and centerboard configuration provides excellent upwind performance while offering versatility in shoal waters when needed. Construction by Alden Yachts and later Tillotson Pearson ensures quality fiberglass layup built to withstand ocean conditions. While not designed for racing, the cutter rig offers versatility in heavy weather with multiple headsail options. The modest sail area to displacement ratio of 16.59 reflects the boat's cruising-oriented design philosophy, emphasizing reliability and ease of handling over pure performance. This makes the Alden 44 particularly appealing to couples or small crews planning serious voyaging adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 44.16 ft / 13.46 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.08 ft / 10.39 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 8.75 ft / 2.67 m
Min Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 24,500.00 lb / 11,113 kg
Ballast 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 871.00 ft² / 80.92 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Alden Associates/Nils Helleberg
Builder Alden Yachts/Tillotson Pearson (USA)
First Built 1976
Last Built 1991
Number Built 40
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
111
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.59
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
40.82
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
276.32
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
35.31
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.72
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.82 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.9
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,522.14 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.58
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 54.10 ft / 16.49 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.30 ft / 5.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 47.10 ft / 14.36 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.80 ft / 4.51 m
SA Fore 522.07 ft² / 48.50 m²
SA Main 348.54 ft² / 32.38 m²
SA Total (100%) 870.61 ft² / 80.88 m²
Est. Forestay Length 57.44 ft / 17.51 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 90 gals / 341 L
Water Capacity 160 gals / 606 L
How It Compares

vs. Alden 44 Mii, Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft, Hylas 44, Lafitte 44, Swan 441

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Alden 44 ★
44.2 ft
Alden 44 Mii
44.2 ft
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
44.1 ft
Hylas 44
44.2 ft
Lafitte 44
44.3 ft
Swan 441
44.4 ft
LWL
Alden 44 ★
34.1 ft
Alden 44 Mii
34.9 ft
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
33.6 ft
Hylas 44
34.9 ft
Lafitte 44
35.5 ft
Swan 441
36.8 ft
Beam
Alden 44 ★
12.5 ft
Alden 44 Mii
12.5 ft
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
12.7 ft
Hylas 44
13.5 ft
Lafitte 44
12.7 ft
Swan 441
13.3 ft
Displacement
Alden 44 ★
24 lbs
Alden 44 Mii
24 lbs
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
27 lbs
Hylas 44
22 lbs
Lafitte 44
28 lbs
Swan 441
24 lbs
Ballast
Alden 44 ★
10 lbs
Alden 44 Mii
10 lbs
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
10 lbs
Hylas 44
11 lbs
Lafitte 44
11 lbs
Swan 441
11 lbs
Sail Area
Alden 44 ★
871 sq ft
Alden 44 Mii
871 sq ft
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
971 sq ft
Hylas 44
866 sq ft
Lafitte 44
967 sq ft
Swan 441
961 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Alden 44 ★
111 s/nm
Alden 44 Mii
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
Hylas 44
105 s/nm
Lafitte 44
Swan 441
71 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Alden 44 ★
16.6
Alden 44 Mii
16.6
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
17.1
Hylas 44
17.6
Lafitte 44
16.9
Swan 441
18.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Alden 44 ★
40.8 %
Alden 44 Mii
40.8 %
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
Hylas 44
Lafitte 44
Swan 441
44.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Alden 44 ★
35.3
Alden 44 Mii
34.9
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
39.3
Hylas 44
28.6
Lafitte 44
38.6
Swan 441
31.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Alden 44 ★
1.72
Alden 44 Mii
1.72
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
1.68
Hylas 44
1.92
Lafitte 44
1.67
Swan 441
1.83
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Alden 44 ★
276
Alden 44 Mii
256
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
Hylas 44
Lafitte 44
Swan 441
222
Hull Speed
Alden 44 ★
7.8 kts
Alden 44 Mii
7.9 kts
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
7.8 kts
Hylas 44
7.9 kts
Lafitte 44
8.0 kts
Swan 441
8.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Alden 44 ★
1.9
Alden 44 Mii
2.1
Crealock 44 Pacific Seacraft
1.6
Hylas 44
2.4
Lafitte 44
1.9
Swan 441
2.6
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