Back to Search
Nauticat 44
Designer: Kaj Gustafsson  ·  Builder: Siltala Yachts (Finland)  ·  First built: 1974
+ Add to Compare
About the Nauticat 44

Designed by renowned Finnish naval architect Kaj Gustafsson and built by Siltala Yachts beginning in 1974, this distinctive motorsailer represents the pinnacle of Scandinavian heavy-weather cruising design. The 44-footer's robust fiberglass construction and traditional long keel configuration make it exceptionally well-suited for serious offshore passage-making and extended cruising in challenging conditions. The masthead ketch rig provides excellent sail handling flexibility, allowing crews to reduce sail area progressively while maintaining good balance. With its impressive comfort ratio of 44.87, this yacht prioritizes seaworthiness and motion comfort over speed, making it ideal for couples or small crews planning extended voyages. The substantial 32,000-pound displacement and conservative sail area-to-displacement ratio of 19.56 contribute to the boat's reputation for predictable handling and safety in heavy seas. The generous 120-horsepower engine reflects the design's motorsailing heritage, providing reliable propulsion when conditions demand it. While the hull speed of 8.23 knots won't win any races, this Nauticat delivers the kind of confidence-inspiring performance that has made it a favorite among serious cruisers tackling long ocean passages and high-latitude sailing adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.67 ft / 13.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 37.75 ft / 11.51 m
Beam 12.17 ft / 3.71 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 32,000.00 lb / 14,515 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,227.00 ft² / 113.99 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Kaj Gustafsson
Builder Siltala Yachts (FINLAND)
First Built 1974
Related Sailboats Mason 43 · Shannon 43 · Oyster 435 · Peterson 44 Cutter · Mason 44
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
180
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
19.56
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
265.55
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
44.87
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
1.54
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. 8.23 kn
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. 1,641.55 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Ford
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 120
Fuel Capacity 285 gals / 1,079 L
Water Capacity 200 gals / 757 L
How It Compares

vs. Mason 43, Mason 44, Oyster 435, Peterson 44 Cutter, Shannon 43

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nauticat 44 ★
43.7 ft
Mason 43
43.8 ft
Mason 44
43.9 ft
Oyster 435
43.4 ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
43.8 ft
Shannon 43
43.8 ft
LWL
Nauticat 44 ★
37.8 ft
Mason 43
31.3 ft
Mason 44
31.8 ft
Oyster 435
36.8 ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
38.7 ft
Shannon 43
36.6 ft
Beam
Nauticat 44 ★
12.2 ft
Mason 43
12.3 ft
Mason 44
12.3 ft
Oyster 435
13.7 ft
Peterson 44 Cutter
12.9 ft
Shannon 43
13.0 ft
Displacement
Nauticat 44 ★
32 lbs
Mason 43
25 lbs
Mason 44
27 lbs
Oyster 435
29 lbs
Peterson 44 Cutter
30 lbs
Shannon 43
27 lbs
Ballast
Nauticat 44 ★
Mason 43
8 lbs
Mason 44
9 lbs
Oyster 435
11 lbs
Peterson 44 Cutter
10 lbs
Shannon 43
10 lbs
Sail Area
Nauticat 44 ★
1 sq ft
Mason 43
771 sq ft
Mason 44
Oyster 435
Peterson 44 Cutter
865 sq ft
Shannon 43
910 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nauticat 44 ★
180 s/nm
Mason 43
146 s/nm
Mason 44
146 s/nm
Oyster 435
135 s/nm
Peterson 44 Cutter
Shannon 43
141 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nauticat 44 ★
19.6
Mason 43
14.5
Mason 44
Oyster 435
Peterson 44 Cutter
14.4
Shannon 43
16.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nauticat 44 ★
Mason 43
33.6 %
Mason 44
34.3 %
Oyster 435
37.9 %
Peterson 44 Cutter
33.3 %
Shannon 43
37.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nauticat 44 ★
44.9
Mason 43
39.2
Mason 44
Oyster 435
Peterson 44 Cutter
38.2
Shannon 43
35.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nauticat 44 ★
1.54
Mason 43
1.68
Mason 44
Oyster 435
Peterson 44 Cutter
1.67
Shannon 43
1.74
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nauticat 44 ★
265
Mason 43
365
Mason 44
382
Oyster 435
259
Peterson 44 Cutter
231
Shannon 43
246
Hull Speed
Nauticat 44 ★
8.2 kts
Mason 43
7.5 kts
Mason 44
Oyster 435
Peterson 44 Cutter
8.3 kts
Shannon 43
8.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nauticat 44 ★
Mason 43
1.3
Mason 44
Oyster 435
Peterson 44 Cutter
2.1
Shannon 43
2.2
Find a Nauticat 44 For Sale