Armel Briand designed the interior. Beneteau described the finished boat as offering the liveability, sturdiness, comfort, and safety of the Oceanis center-cockpit concept, together with the endurance and performance expected of a Beneteau. In practical terms, it’s a substantial cruising sailboat with a large center cockpit, two available accommodation plans, and generous tankage.
Design and Construction
The 44 CC has a contemporary profile, with short overhangs and a large trunk cabin whose gentle forward slope helps minimize its visual bulk. The freeboard is rather high, but a wide teak rub strake along the hull side softens its appearance. The sheer is pleasing and subtle.
The hulls were hand-laid in female molds. Beneteau used vinylester resin for the outer skin and polyester for the interior laminates, with several types of fiberglass fabric selected to balance strength, cost, and weight.
Modular construction features heavily. Molded hull and deck liners work with an elaborate grid of stringers, floors, and engine and tank supports to carry the primary structure. Structural adhesive compounds join the components, a method described as potentially stronger than traditional fiberglass-and-resin attachment.
Specified draft is 1.79 meters. It’s often rounded to 5 feet 9 inches, rather than the technically closer 5 feet 11 inches.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Standard rigging included a mast with internal mainsail furling and an electric halyard winch that could also unfurl the sail. An electric anchor windlass was paired with this equipment and is nearly essential on a boat of this size, according to the period review.
The Farr design team’s performance influence shows in the numbers. The displacement/length ratio is 188, while the sail area/displacement ratio is 17.5; both sit squarely in the ideal range for a modern cruiser.
Even so, Yachting Monthly found the 44 CC a heavy boat that needs a fair amount of wind to get going. Its moderate sail plan and displacement of more than 23,000 pounds favor settled breezes over ghosting conditions.
The large center cockpit provides excellent visibility from the helm, one of the layout’s enduring attractions.
Accommodations
Beneteau offered two interior arrangements. One has two large master cabins, one forward and one aft. The other combines an aft master stateroom with twin guest cabins forward.
Both versions have a huge aft owner’s suite. It includes a queen centerline berth, port and starboard storage and hanging lockers, and a large head to port with a small tub or decent-sized hip bath.
In the first layout, the forward cabin has a queen centerline berth, makeup table, chair, and bureau. The second arrangement uses a V-berth, with bunk berths to port in the passageway; the bunk berths can be converted into a workroom.
Both plans share a second head forward and a midship saloon with a large U-shaped dinette, navigation table, and two bucket chairs. One chair doubles as the seat for the aft-facing chart table.
The well-appointed galley runs along the starboard passage to the aft cabin. A hanging locker just to starboard of the companionway provides a place for foul-weather gear.
Machinery, Tankage, and Refit Considerations
Auxiliary power came from Volvo or Yanmar diesels rated between 60 and 85 horsepower, depending on the individual boat. Tankage is generous, with 73 gallons of fuel and 160 gallons of water. The center-cockpit configuration and generous tankage suit extended cruising.
The modular liner construction and adhesively joined components mean that refits must respect the original grid system rather than rely on traditional tabbing. During rig work, the internal-mainsail-furling mechanism also calls for careful inspection.
The two accommodation plans give owners a choice between similarly substantial master cabins or a layout with a dedicated guest wing.
Known Issues
Period reviews identified two specific weaknesses. First, the teak rub rail has no stainless-steel or bronze protective strake, leaving the wood highly susceptible to damage from routine contact.
Second, the rudder stops attach to rather flimsy, non-structural joiner work rather than to a structural member. That detail is worth noting when assessing the steering integrity of a boat after years of service.
The Verdict
The Beneteau 44 CC is a thoughtfully arranged center-cockpit cruiser that combines Farr’s performance numbers with Beneteau’s production-cruising comfort. Its two interior plans make it adaptable, while the large aft owner’s suite, excellent helm visibility, and generous tankage support its cruising role.
Its modular construction offers weight-controlled strength, but refits must account for the original grid and adhesive-bonded structure. On a used example, the unprotected teak rub rail and non-structural rudder-stop mountings are genuine vulnerabilities. Buyers should also remember that this is a heavy boat: it needs a fair breeze to accelerate well.
Pros
- Center-cockpit layout with excellent helm visibility
- Huge aft owner’s suite
- Displacement/length and sail area/displacement ratios in the ideal range for a modern cruiser
- Two flexible interior plans, including a twin-cabin area convertible to a workroom
- Modular grid structure with adhesively joined components for weight-controlled strength
- Generous fuel and water capacity
Cons
- Teak rub rail lacks a protective metal strake and is easily damaged
- Rudder stops are mounted to non-structural joiner work
- Heavy hull needs a fair breeze to accelerate well
