Nauticat 44 – Classic Finnish Motorsailer
The Nauticat 44 is one of the larger traditional motorsailers from Siltala Yachts in Finland. Designed by Kaj Gustafsson and first launched in 1974, it was built for serious long-distance cruising and comfortable liveaboard life.
It sits clearly above the Nauticat 38 in size, volume and tank capacity, while keeping the same solid Finnish construction and protected pilothouse philosophy that defines the brand.
Nauticat 44 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Designer | Kaj Gustafsson |
| Builder | Siltala Yachts / Nauticat Yachts, Finland |
| Production period | 1974 – early 2000s |
| LOA | Approx. 13.31 m (43.67 ft) |
| LWL | Approx. 11.51 m (37.75 ft) |
| Beam | Approx. 3.71 m (12.17 ft) |
| Draft | Approx. 1.80 m (5.92 ft) |
| Displacement | Approx. 14,500 – 16,000 kg |
| Hull type | Long keel with keel-mounted rudder |
| Typical engine | Ford Lehman 120–135 hp (or similar) |
| Fuel capacity | Approx. 1,000–1,100 litres |
| Fresh water | Approx. 750–800 litres |
| Sail area (reported) | Approx. 114 m² (1,227 sq ft) |
Exact figures vary between individual boats and production years.
Rig Options – Ketch, Schooner and Cutter
One of the interesting features of the Nauticat 44 is the choice of rigs that were offered:
Ketch (most common) The standard and most practical setup for most owners. The divided sail plan makes reefing and handling easier when short-handed. You can drop the mainsail and continue under headsail and mizzen in rising wind.
Schooner A less common but distinctive option. The schooner rig places more sail area further forward and can include staysails between the masts. Some owners prefer it for balance and downwind performance. It gives the boat a more traditional, almost “ship-like” appearance.
Cutter (optional) A double-headsail arrangement that adds flexibility, especially for heavier weather.
All versions use aluminium spars. The choice of rig affects handling more than pure speed — these boats were never designed as pure sailing machines.
How the Nauticat 44 Compares
Compared with the Nauticat 38 The 44 is significantly larger and heavier. It offers more interior volume, larger tanks, and a full long keel (most 38s have a semi-long keel with skeg). The 38 is easier to berth and handle for a couple; the 44 feels more like a small ship and suits longer-term liveaboard use or families better.
Compared with the Nauticat 441 The 441 is the later evolution of the 44 (introduced around 2008–2009). It keeps the traditional motorsailer character but adds a reverse transom, updated windows, slightly longer overall length, higher displacement and a more modern interior. We will cover the 441 in more detail on a separate page later.
In short: the classic 44 is the pure traditional long-keel motorsailer, while the 441 is the refined later version of the same idea.
Layout and Liveaboard Potential
Typical layout includes:
- Full-beam aft cabin (often the owner’s cabin)
- Protected pilothouse with inside helm and excellent visibility
- Saloon and galley
- Forward cabin(s)
- Two heads in many configurations
The pilothouse remains the heart of the boat — exactly as on the smaller Nauticats. Combined with the large tank capacity, this makes the 44 a strong candidate for extended cruising or full-time living aboard.
What These Boats Feel Like
Although we sail a Nauticat 38, the fundamental character of the classic Nauticat motorsailers is shared across the range. These two videos give a realistic impression of how a heavy Finnish motorsailer behaves:
Sailing performance and keel types explained:
How a Nauticat handles in rough conditions:
Is the Nauticat 44 a Good Choice Today?
Strengths
- Very solid Finnish construction
- Excellent all-weather pilothouse
- Large tanks and good liveaboard volume
- Choice of ketch or schooner rig
- Proven long-distance capability
- Long keel gives directional stability
Points to check carefully
- Condition of the teak decks (common on older boats)
- Engine hours and service history (Ford Lehman engines are strong but need care)
- Structural condition of the long keel and rudder
- Osmosis on older hulls
- Rig condition (especially if still original)
The Nauticat 44 is a proper bluewater motorsailer for people who prioritise comfort, protection and range over pure sailing performance.
If you are considering buying or selling a Nauticat 44, we can help through our brokerage work. See Buy a Boat and Sell Your Boat.
Related Pages
The Nauticat 44 remains one of the classic large Finnish motorsailers — a boat built for people who want to go far and live well while they do it.