The C&C 44 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The sailing press generally gave positive reviews to the C&C 44, praising its performance, quality, comfort and versatility. For example, Lloyd Hircock wrote in Canadian Yachting magazine: "I rate the C&C 44 up there with the best of them. It is an impressive yacht to sail. It is strong and capable, and well designed for safe offshore passages or comfortable lake cruising." Sail magazine wrote: "The C&C 44 is a boat that can do it all: race competitively on Saturday and cruise comfortably on Sunday."

The C&C 44 is not in production anymore. Production started in 1985 and ended in 1991. The exact number of boats built is not known, but it is estimated to be around 50.

The builders of the C&C 44 were C&C Yachts, a Canadian company that was founded in 1969 by George Cuthbertson and George Cassian, two prominent yacht designers. C&C Yachts became one of the most successful and influential sailboat manufacturers in North America, producing many popular models such as the Redline, Landfall, Mega and Custom series. However, the company faced financial difficulties in the mid-1980s due to market changes, currency fluctuations and legal disputes.

The company went into receivership in 1986 and was acquired by new management. The new owners relocated the production facilities from Canada to Rhode Island, USA, and continued to produce some models until 1994, when they sold the company to Fairport Yachts. Fairport Yachts revived the C&C brand in 1997 and produced some new models until 2013, when they ceased operations.

Currently, the C&C brand is owned by Tartan Marine Company, which offers some legacy models as well as new designs.

The C&C 44 can sleep up to seven people on board, depending on the layout chosen by the owner. The standard layout features a V-berth forward cabin with a head and shower, a main saloon with a U-shaped dinette that converts to a double berth and a settee that converts to a single berth, a U-shaped galley to port, a navigation station to starboard, and an aft cabin with a double berth and a head. The Custom version has a simpler interior with fewer amenities and more storage space.

The C&C 44 has a masthead sloop rig with a tall mast and large sail area.

The standard rig has an I measurement of 59'0", a J measurement of 17'6", a P measurement of 51'9" and an E measurement of 15'9". The total sail area is 924ft².

The Custom version has an even taller rig with an I measurement of 62'0", a J measurement of 18'0", a P measurement of 54'0" and an E measurement of 16'0". The total sail area is 1,000ft².

The standard (or owner's) version of the C&C 44 is designed for cruising or racing with more comfort and convenience features. The custom version of the C&C 44 is designed for racing with less comfort and more performance features. The main differences are:

• The standard version has two keel options: centreboard or deep-fin; The custom version has only one keel option: deep-fin keel;

• The standard version has a Yanmar diesel engine with 44 hp. The custom version has a Yanmar diesel engine with 55 hp;

• The standard version has a more spacious and luxurious interior with more amenities and storage space. The custom version has a simpler and lighter interior with fewer amenities and more storage space;

• The standard version has a larger cockpit with more seating and a folding table. The custom version has a smaller cockpit with less seating and no table;

• The standard version has a raised reverse transom with a swim platform and a ladder. The custom version has a flush transom with no swim platform or ladder.

The C&C 44 has two keel options for the standard version and one keel option for the custom version. The keel options are:

• Centreboard keel: This is a variable-draft keel with a retractable centreboard that can be lowered or raised by a hydraulic system. The centreboard keel has a draft of 8'6" with the centreboard down and 5'6" with the centreboard up. The ballast is 9,850 pounds;

• Deep-fin keel: This is a deep-draft keel with a thin profile and a bulb at the bottom to lower the centre of gravity and increase stability. The deep-fin keel has a draft of 8'3" and a ballast of 9,850 pounds.

The C&C 44:

• is an impressive yacht to sail, with excellent performance, handling and stability;

• is fast, responsive and easy to steer, especially on a reach or a run;

• can power through heavy seas without any hobby-horsing or pounding, and can handle strong winds without excessive heeling or weather helm;

• is also comfortable and seaworthy, with a dry, seakindly and strong hull that can withstand rough conditions;

• is well balanced and well rigged, with an efficient sailplan that can be easily adjusted for different wind speeds and angles;

• is also versatile, as it can be used for both cruising and racing, depending on the owner's preference and configuration.

The average cost of a secondhand C&C 44 depends on the year, condition, equipment and location of the boat. According to some online listings, the price range for a used C&C 44 is between $80,000 and $150,000 USD.

Robert W. Ball was one of the most prolific and successful yacht designers of his time. He worked for C&C Yachts from 1969 to 1986, and designed or co-designed many of their models, such as the C&C 27, the C&C 34, the C&C 37/40, the C&C 41, and the C&C Mega 30. He also designed boats for other manufacturers, such as the CSY 44, the Endeavour 42, the Hunter Legend 40.5, and the Pearson 530.