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Ohlson 44
Designer: Einar Ohlson  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Ohlson 44

Designed by renowned Swedish naval architect Einar Ohlson and first launched in 1969, this 43.5-foot sailboat represents classic Scandinavian craftsmanship and seaworthiness. Built with various construction methods including wood, steel, and fiberglass depending on the yard, the Ohlson 44 embodies the robust design philosophy that made Swedish yachts internationally respected. With its moderate displacement of 24,500 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, this masthead sloop delivers excellent stability and confident handling in challenging conditions. The fin keel configuration provides good windward performance while maintaining reasonable draft for coastal exploration. A comfort ratio of 42.63 indicates a motion that favors long-distance cruising over racing, making extended passages more pleasant for crew and guests. The boat's conservative sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.05 and impressive capsize screening value of 1.59 demonstrate Ohlson's emphasis on safety and seaworthiness over pure speed. These characteristics make the Ohlson 44 particularly well-suited for serious offshore cruising and bluewater passages. The design's reputation for solid construction and predictable handling has earned it respect among experienced cruising sailors who prioritize reliability and comfort over racing performance in their quest for distant horizons.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.50 ft / 13.26 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.42 ft / 9.27 m
Beam 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 24,500.00 lb / 11,113 kg
Ballast 10,500.00 lb / 4,763 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 843.00 ft² / 78.32 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood/Steel/FG
Designer Einar Ohlson
First Built 1969
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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
 16.05
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
 42.86
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
 388.54
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
 42.63
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. 7.39 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. 1,249.98 pounds/inch
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