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Norstar 44
Designer: Robert Perry  ·  Builder: Northstar Yachts  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Norstar 44

Designed for serious bluewater cruising, the Norstar 44 is a capable offshore sailboat built to handle demanding passages with confidence. As a larger cruising vessel, it offers the kind of space and stability that long-distance sailors prioritize when choosing a liveaboard or passage-making platform, making it well suited to extended voyages and life away from the marina. While detailed specifications for the Norstar 44 are limited in available records, boats of this size and type typically reflect a philosophy centered on seakeeping ability, substantial storage capacity, and comfortable accommodations for extended time at sea. Prospective buyers researching this model would be wise to seek out individual vessel surveys and owner accounts, as these can provide the most reliable insight into how specific hulls have been maintained and how the design performs across varying conditions. The Norstar 44 appeals to experienced sailors looking for a serious bluewater cruiser rather than a performance racer, and its size lends itself naturally to shorthanded offshore sailing or crewed passages. Anyone considering this boat should consult a qualified marine surveyor to fully assess its condition and suitability.

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 24,000.00 lb / 10,886 kg
Ballast 9,340.00 lb / 4,237 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 920.00 ft² / 85.47 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Robert Perry
Builder Northstar Yachts
First Built 1995
Related Sailboats ["Cs 44" · "Hunter 44 Ds" · "Cc 44" · "J/133" · "Catalina 426"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
17.76
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
32.37
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
1.8
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
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. Cc 44, Hunter 44 Ds, J/133

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Norstar 44 ★
43.8 ft
Cc 44
44.2 ft
Hunter 44 Ds
44.0 ft
J/133
44.2 ft
LWL
Norstar 44 ★
35.4 ft
Cc 44
35.3 ft
Hunter 44 Ds
37.8 ft
J/133
38.0 ft
Beam
Norstar 44 ★
12.9 ft
Cc 44
13.3 ft
Hunter 44 Ds
14.2 ft
J/133
13.8 ft
Displacement
Norstar 44 ★
24 lbs
Cc 44
20 lbs
Hunter 44 Ds
23 lbs
J/133
22 lbs
Ballast
Norstar 44 ★
9 lbs
Cc 44
9 lbs
Hunter 44 Ds
9 lbs
J/133
9 lbs
Sail Area
Norstar 44 ★
920 sq ft
Cc 44
924 sq ft
Hunter 44 Ds
900 sq ft
J/133
920 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Norstar 44 ★
Cc 44
Hunter 44 Ds
93 s/nm
J/133
12 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Norstar 44 ★
17.8
Cc 44
19.6
Hunter 44 Ds
17.5
J/133
17.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Norstar 44 ★
Cc 44
Hunter 44 Ds
40.0 %
J/133
41.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Norstar 44 ★
32.4
Cc 44
27.3
Hunter 44 Ds
26.6
J/133
34.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Norstar 44 ★
1.80
Cc 44
1.93
Hunter 44 Ds
1.98
J/133
1.56
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Norstar 44 ★
Cc 44
Hunter 44 Ds
195
J/133
163
Hull Speed
Norstar 44 ★
8.0 kts
Cc 44
8.0 kts
Hunter 44 Ds
8.2 kts
J/133
10.3 kts
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