Peterson 44 Review
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I’ve sailed in the Caribbean and the South Pacific, as well as on both coasts of the United States and in each place I’ve seen at least one Peterson 44. The reason this design is so prolific may be because it was extremely forward thinking when it was new, nearly 30 years ago. It may also be because over 200 hulls were originally built and some were put in charter fleets in warm waters everywhere. But it is most likely because it has been an enduring and desirable design that gets constant praise from owners and has brokers in some areas taking waiting lists from anxious buyers.
Design, Construction and Performance
Stories circulate how Jack Kelly, one of the two success factors behind the Peterson 44, sought to build 10 boats, sell 9, and keep one for himself to go cruising. He teamed with relative newcomer Doug Peterson, and a couple of hundred hulls later, had still not left on his cruise because he was too busy running a successful boatbuilding business. Kelly hired am American shipwright who moved to Taiwan, and supervised the construction there for seven years starting in 1976. The boats were then outfitted and commissioned in the United States or wherever they were shipped. Kelly and Peterson were both from San Diego and many of the 44s sold on the West Coast. Today, the design is a classic of which this coast can be proud.
The construction is a hand laid fiberglass that tapers from ¾” in the keel and bilge area to ½” thickness above the waterline and 3/8” thickness at the deck. The hull/deck joint is a tongue and groove connection which is through-bolted and glassed over. The deck is a sandwich construction with marine plywood.
The boat was really the performance cruiser of its time with an underbody designed to move. The elongated fin keel holds encapsulated iron ballast and the largely cut-away forefoot reduces the wetted surface. The rudder is fully skeg hung and the propeller is completely protected as it is mounted between the skeg and the rudder. The 44 has a fine entry and a wineglass shaped transom. The ballast to displacement ratio of 33% states that the 44 is a light to moderate displacement boat that keeps upright in tough conditions. Theoretical hull speed is 8.3 knots and she will do that on just about any point of sail, given the right conditions. Not surprisingly, 180 nautical mile days are very attainable.
Cockpit, Deck & Rigging
On deck, the Peterson 44 really shines. I’ve been aboard many of these boats and I’m always impressed with how easy it is to move around up top. The cockpit is large (6’6” x 7’6”) and gets high marks for both visibility and sociability and the decks are clear and have safe bulwarks for good footing. Peterson offered teak decks as an option so boats today may have either teak or non-skid. The cabin top has a surprisingly low-profile which keeps the weight low and avoids the high, tiered cake look that some of the early center-cockpit boats succumbed to.
The 44 carries a double spreader, keel stepped, cutter rig that points, is well balanced and lets the boat sail like a witch. It is also easily managed shorthanded in a blow with the staysail and slab reefing. The boats came standard with Lewmar #28 winches for primaries which many owners have upgraded to larger, self-tailing winches. The 44s also came standard with a manual windlass – which was an unusual luxury at the time – but many owners have since upgraded to electric windlasses. Bow rollers have also been beefed up by some to handle larger anchors and all chain rode.
Layout & Accommodations
The Peterson 44 layout is very accommodating even by modern standards. Starting forward, there is a traditional vee berth with ample storage in shelves along the hull and access to the forward head and shower combination to port. The saloon features a straight settee to starboard and on port is a true dinette with two bench seats and a dining table. To update the living quarters, some owners have changed the dinette area into an L-shaped settee with a bulkhead mounted, drop down table that really opens up the area.
A U-shaped galley is to port with a large freezer under the companionway steps, a stove, a double stainless steel sink close to the centerline and plenty of counter space. A large, forward facing nav station is to starboard, opposite the galley. The passageway to the aft cabin is directly behind the nav station on the starboard side and requires stooping to get through. The engine room is to port and the open space to starboard has been variously modified by many owners to include bunks, a generator, storage or a freezer.
The owner’s cabin aft has a large bunk on the centerline. It is considered king size but is not an island berth. Due to the low overhang from the aft deck, some owners prefer to sleep head forward. To starboard is good hanging locker space and to port is another head and shower combination.
There are three hatches, three dorades and 10 opening, cast bronze ports to keep the air moving. The aft cabin also features a separate sliding hatch and companionway with direct access to the cockpit. The interior is highlighted by a teak and holly sole and a teak finish that built the reputation of the Taiwanese craftsman of that time.
Systems & Mechanical
The 44 has a dedicated engine room which is located under the center cockpit sole and has quite a bit of room for additional systems. The tricky part is that the engine access is via the low passageway to the aft cabin. It can be dark and cramped down there when working on the main engine or the generator which some owners have installed outboard of the walk-through. The good news is that the cockpit seat above the passageway opens to allow light and air into the area – a real lifesaver when working on a hot engine in the tropics. The original engine on the Petersons were either a Perkins (4-154), or a Westerbeke or Lehman – all approximately 54-62HP. All these engines were workhorses in their day and if they were treated properly, they should have life left in them today.
The tanks have been an issue on these boats. Some owners have reported cracking and leaks in their stainless steel water tanks, but the real issue is the fuel tanks which are black iron and have had numerous problems. Many owners have replaced the fuel tanks entirely but have had to cut the cabin sole apart to do so. One owner had the tank cut apart below the sole and had it taken out in pieces. Either way, be sure to understand the condition of the tanks and be prepared to spend some money on this part of the boat.
Wrap Up
When they were new, Peterson 44s sold for around $90,000 for a base model. Thirty years later, prices range from 85-125K depending on condition. Clearly, these boats have held their value, which is amazing for any depreciating asset, and really speaks to the boat’s strengths. Currently, there are several Peterson 44s listed on Yachtworld. Since owners have nothing but praise for these boats, you may want to consider extending your search for a good old cruising boat and investigating what kind of values are available beyond the border. Then you can bring the boat home for outfitting or just start your cruise wherever the boat is since it is quite capable of taking you just about anywhere.
Specs for Peterson 44
Designer: Doug Peterson
Builder: Yu Ching
LOA: 43’ 10”
LWL: 38’ 8”
Beam: 12’ 11”
Draft: 6’ 4”
Ballast: 10,000 lbs
Displacement: 30,000 lbs
Sail Area: 1011 sq ft
Fuel Tankage: 117 gallons
Water Tankage: 132 gallons
Ballast/Disp 33 %
Disp/Length 232
