The Fp 44 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
20.5
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Displacement / Length
296
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
18.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.03
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
19lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
3.03
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.3 |
6.7 |
7.5 |
7.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (20.5), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Fp 44 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Fp 44.
|
Fp 44 |
Catalina 426 |
Dean 440 |
Dean 441 |
Nordship 450 Ds |
X43 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
43.5 |
43.5 |
43.6 |
43.6 |
43.5 |
43.4 |
| LWL |
— |
39.1 |
43.0 |
43.0 |
37.1 |
37.2 |
| Beam |
24.4 |
13.7 |
23.8 |
23.6 |
13.5 |
13.1 |
| Displacement |
33 |
24 |
22 |
24 |
31 |
20 |
| Ballast |
— |
6 |
— |
— |
9 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
1,323 |
858 |
1,420 |
1 |
956 |
— |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
20.5 |
16.3 |
29.0 |
25.8 |
15.6 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
27.4 |
— |
— |
30.9 |
39.4 |
| Comfort |
18.7 |
28.8 |
11.5 |
— |
38.6 |
26.7 |
| Capsize |
3.03 |
1.89 |
3.40 |
— |
1.72 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
8.4 |
8.8 |
— |
8.2 |
8.2 |