The CT44 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The CT44 sailboat is a canoe-sterned (aka double-ender) aft-cockpit cruiser, designed by French-born naval architect Yves-Marie Tanton. They were constructed by Ta Chiao, a respected builder known for producing high-quality sailing yachts, at their shipyard located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The CT-44 Sailboat.

The "CT" stands for "Custom Taiwan", reflecting the boat’s origin as a custom-built yacht manufactured in Taiwan. The CT44 was also known as the Tanton 43.

There are two other versions of the CT44:

A Pilot House version which shares the same hull as the CT44, but with a club-footed staysail, and
A Cat-Ketch version known as the Offshore 43 which also shares the same hull as the CT44, but sports a pair of carbon free-standing masts, with aluminum wishbone booms.

Published Specification for the CT44 Sailboat

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Length Overall: 13.56 meters (44' 6")
Waterline Length: 10.36 meters (34' 0")
Beam: 3.83 meters (12' 7")
Draft: 2.06 meters (6' 9")
Rig Type: Cutter rig
Displacement: 13,608kg (30,000lb)
Ballast: 5,987kg (13,200lb)
Designer: Yves-Marie Tanton*
Builder: Ta Chiao
Year First Built: 1983
Year Last Built: Unknown
Number Built: Approximately 40 units

* Yves-Marie Tanton's yacht design company, Tanton Yachts, was founded in 1972 in Newport, RI, and is credited with over 350 designs. Tanton’s work spans a wide range of vessels, including sailing boats, motor-vessels, and various naval architecture projects.

Along with the Tanton 43, Yves-Marie Tanton also created the following sailboats:

The Tanton 39: A performance cruiser with sleek lines and excellent handling. Sailors appreciate its balance of speed and comfort.

The Tanton 37: A rugged offshore cruiser designed for serious ocean passages. Its robust construction and practical layout make it a favorite among bluewater sailors.

The Tanton 25: A pocket cruiser that combines compact size with impressive performance. Ideal for single-handed sailing or weekend getaways.

Published Design Ratios for the CT44 Sailboat

The 5 Key Performance Indicators:

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (18.9): This ratio indicates that the CT-44 has reasonably good performance capability. It isn't an ultra-high performance racer, but it should sail well under a variety of conditions and provide decent speed due to its power-to-weight ratio.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio (45.8): A ratio of 45.8% suggests the CT-44 is a stiff and stable boat. It should be relatively resistant to heeling and able to stand up well to the wind. However, it is important to note that this ratio does not consider the placement of the ballast. If the ballast is concentrated low in the keel, the boat would be stiffer compared to having the ballast spread out or in a shallow draft configuration.

Displacement/Length Ratio (170.0): The CT-44 falls into the upper range of the 'light displacement'* category with a D/L ratio of 170. Light displacement boats are generally faster and more responsive to sail changes. They also require less sail area to reach their hull speed, making them more efficient under sail.

Comfort Ratio (25.7): This comfort ratio places the CT-44 in the range of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability. It suggests that while the boat should be fairly comfortable for extended cruising, it may experience more motion than a heavier, bluewater cruiser. This rating is influenced by factors such as displacement and beam and may not fully account for the modern design advancements that improve comfort.

Capsize Screening Formula (1.9) With a capsize screening value of 1.9, the CT-44 is deemed suitable for bluewater sailing. This indicates a lower risk of capsizing, reassuring for extended offshore passages where conditions can be unpredictable.

Design Ratios: Notes of Caution...

The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): This ratio provides an estimate of the sail power relative to the boat's weight, which can indicate potential speed in various wind conditions. But it doesn't account for the efficiency of the sail plan, the rigging, or the skill of the crew. Real-world performance can vary significantly based on these factors.

The Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D): This ratio gives an idea of the boat's stability and stiffness, which is crucial for handling and safety. But it doesn't consider the distribution of the ballast or the hull shape, both of which can greatly affect stability. A high B/D ratio alone doesn't guarantee a stable boat if the ballast is poorly distributed.

The Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): This ratio helps predict the boat's speed potential and its behaviour in different sea conditions. But it doesn't account for the hull design or the boat's overall weight distribution. Two boats with the same D/L ratio can perform very differently if their hull shapes are different.

The Comfort Ratio (CR): This ratio estimates the boat's motion comfort in a seaway, which is important for long passages. But it doesn't consider the boat's interior layout, which can also affect comfort. Additionally, personal tolerance to motion varies, so a boat that is comfortable for one person might not be for another.

The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): This formula assesses the likelihood of a boat capsizing in heavy seas, which is critical for offshore safety. But it doesn't take into account the boat's handling characteristics or the skill of the crew. A boat with a low CSF can still capsize if poorly handled in severe conditions.

General Limitations

Static Nature: These ratios are static measurements and don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

Simplification: They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

Context: The context in which the boat is used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.

This article was written with the assistance of Gemini, a large language model developed by Google. Gemini was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.