Design and Construction
The Allures 44’s hull is made of aluminium, a choice that underpins the yard’s hybrid construction philosophy of a welded metal hull with a vacuum-infused composite deck. Her ballast of roughly 9,260 pounds in lead sits within a 23,150-pound displacement, yielding a ballast-displacement ratio of 40 percent. The boat’s length-to-beam ratio is 3.20 and her displacement-length ratio is 185.5 by the spec record, while a separate database assessment categorizes her DL-ratio at 128 and labels her among “light racers” — a reminder that published ratios vary by method and that her real-world feel is that of a loaded cruiser. The wetted surface measures about 656 square feet. She carries CE certification Class A (Ocean), indicating design for extended voyages in severe conditions.
Keel Options and Draft
A defining trait is the choice between a fin keel and a centreboard keel. With the fin keel, draft runs about 6.2 to 6.5 feet depending on load, limiting her to major marinas different keel alternatives including a fin keel. The centreboard version draws just 3.2 to 3.5 feet, letting her enter even shallow marinas centreboard keel option. This dual-path approach lets an owner prioritize either upwind grip and stability or gunkholing reach, and the centreboard model in particular extends her cruising ground well beyond typical 44-foot limits.
Rig and Sail Plan
The Allures 44 is built with a fractional rig, and her standing and running rigging dimensions are fully documented: the mainsail, jib-genoa, and spinnaker halyards each run 135.5 feet at 14 mm diameter, while sheets range from 44.6 feet (genoa/jib) to 111.5 feet (mainsheet) at 16 mm. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 18.2 with the ISO reference sail and 21.3 with a 135 percent genoa. The calculated maximum speed is about 7.5 knots, against a theoretical displacement-hull speed of 8.8 knots for her length. The capsize screening value is 1.96, a figure used in one formula to gauge ocean suitability, and her Motion Comfort Ratio is 24.3 with an immersion rate of about 2,099 pounds per inch.
Accommodations and Layout
Franck Darnet is credited as the interior designer, though no room-by-room description of the Allures 44’s accommodations has been published. The boat was conceived as an ocean-class cruiser with a centreboard option for anchorages unreachable by fin-keel sisters, and the deck is composite rather than metal — a choice affecting weight distribution and insulation.
The Verdict
The Allures 44 is a thoughtfully conceived ocean cruiser whose centreboard option sets her apart from most 44-foot production boats. Her aluminium hull and Class A certification speak to serious voyaging intent, while the fin-keel alternative serves sailors who prize deeper draft and simpler ground tackle. She is not a lightweight racer despite one ratio label, but a well-found cruiser with documented rigging specs and a shallow-draft variant that genuinely expands where she can lie.
Pros
- Centreboard keel draws just 3.2–3.5 ft, opening shallow marinas and anchorages
- Aluminium hull with CE Class A (Ocean) certification
- Full fractional-rig dimension record for easy rigging replacement
- Fin-keel option for 6.2–6.5 ft draft and stronger windward performance
Cons
- Fin-keel draft limits marina access to major ports
- Reported ratios conflict on whether she is a light racer or loaded cruiser
- No published interior layout or berth detail
