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Formosa 44
Designer: Ron Amy  ·  Builder: Formosa Boat Building Co. Ltd.  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Formosa 44

Built during the golden era of fiberglass production boatbuilding, this 44-foot cruiser emerged from the renowned Formosa Plastics shipyard in Taiwan, carrying forward the yard's reputation for solid construction and seaworthy designs. The Formosa line became synonymous with well-built, affordable cruising boats that could handle serious offshore passages without breaking the bank. This particular model embodies the traditional full-keel philosophy that made Formosa boats popular among serious cruisers. The design prioritizes stability and tracking ability over speed, making it well-suited for long-distance cruising and offshore passages where comfort and safety matter more than racing performance. The boat's substantial construction and conservative design approach have earned it respect among cruising sailors who value dependability. While not the fastest boat in its size range, the Formosa 44 compensates with predictable handling characteristics and the kind of robust build quality that inspires confidence in challenging conditions. The spacious interior layout typically accommodates extended cruising with practical amenities, reflecting the builder's understanding of what serious cruisers need for comfortable long-term living aboard.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.67 ft / 13.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.58 ft / 10.84 m
Beam 12.96 ft / 3.95 m
Max Draft 6.33 ft / 1.93 m
Displacement 34,810.00 lb / 15,790 kg
Ballast 10,043.00 lb / 4,555 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,141.00 ft² / 106.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ron Amy
Builder Formosa Boat Building Co. Ltd.
First Built 1983
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Performance Ratios
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
17.2
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
47.05
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
1.59
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. 7.99
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. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Ct 43, Slocum 43, Taswell 43

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Formosa 44 ★
42.7 ft
Ct 43
42.7 ft
Slocum 43
42.5 ft
Taswell 43
42.8 ft
LWL
Formosa 44 ★
35.6 ft
Ct 43
33.9 ft
Slocum 43
35.8 ft
Taswell 43
38.3 ft
Beam
Formosa 44 ★
13.0 ft
Ct 43
13.0 ft
Slocum 43
12.9 ft
Taswell 43
13.7 ft
Displacement
Formosa 44 ★
34 lbs
Ct 43
23 lbs
Slocum 43
28 lbs
Taswell 43
23 lbs
Ballast
Formosa 44 ★
10 lbs
Ct 43
9 lbs
Slocum 43
9 lbs
Taswell 43
9 lbs
Sail Area
Formosa 44 ★
1 sq ft
Ct 43
820 sq ft
Slocum 43
810 sq ft
Taswell 43
860 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Formosa 44 ★
17.2
Ct 43
15.9
Slocum 43
14.1
Taswell 43
16.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Formosa 44 ★
Ct 43
39.5 %
Slocum 43
32.0 %
Taswell 43
40.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Formosa 44 ★
47.1
Ct 43
33.1
Slocum 43
38.0
Taswell 43
28.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Formosa 44 ★
1.59
Ct 43
1.81
Slocum 43
1.70
Taswell 43
1.91
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Formosa 44 ★
Ct 43
273
Slocum 43
272
Taswell 43
187
Hull Speed
Formosa 44 ★
8.0 kts
Ct 43
7.8 kts
Slocum 43
8.0 kts
Taswell 43
8.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Formosa 44 ★
Ct 43
1.9
Slocum 43
1.7
Taswell 43
2.8
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