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Nordic 44
Designer: Robert Perry  ·  Builder: Nordic Yachts Inc.  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Nordic 44

Robert Perry's Nordic 44 represents a compelling blend of performance and comfort from the early 1980s cruising boat era. Built by Nordic Yachts from 1980 to 1989, this masthead sloop demonstrates Perry's signature approach to creating capable offshore cruisers that don't sacrifice sailing performance for comfort. With its fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder configuration, the Nordic 44 offers predictable handling characteristics and good directional stability. The fiberglass construction features a balsa-cored hull and deck, providing excellent strength-to-weight ratio while maintaining structural integrity for serious offshore work. At 23,250 pounds displacement with 9,340 pounds of ballast, the boat carries enough weight to punch through seas while maintaining stability in challenging conditions. The modest production run of just 39 boats makes the Nordic 44 a relatively rare find on the used boat market. Perry's design philosophy shines through in the boat's balanced proportions and seaworthy characteristics. The comfort ratio of 31.36 suggests this is a true cruising boat rather than a lightweight racer, while the capsize screening value of 1.81 indicates good offshore capability. This makes the Nordic 44 well-suited for coastal cruising and extended offshore passages, appealing to sailors seeking a proven, comfortable platform for serious cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.83 ft / 13.36 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.42 ft / 10.80 m
Beam 12.92 ft / 3.94 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 23,250.00 lb / 10,546 kg
Ballast 9,340.00 lb / 4,237 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 919.00 ft² / 85.38 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/balsa core hull & deck
Designer Robert Perry
Builder Nordic Yachts Inc.
First Built 1980
Last Built 1989
Number Built 39
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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
 90
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
 18.12
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
 40.17
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
 233.58
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
 31.36
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
 1.81
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. 7.97 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
 2.45
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. 1,635.15 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. 18.12
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 57.00 ft / 17.37 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 52.50 ft / 16.00 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
SA Fore 498.75 ft² / 46.34 m²
SA Main 420.00 ft² / 39.02 m²
SA Total (100%) 918.75 ft² / 85.35 m²
Est. Forestay Length 59.63 ft / 18.18 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Model 50
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 41
Fuel Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
Water Capacity 150 gals / 568 L
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