Bombay Explorer 44 Information, Review, Specs

While specific high-authority editorial reviews from the era are scarce in digital archives, the vessel's lineage is rooted in the design philosophy of the Florida fiberglass boom. The hull is characterized by a heavy displacement and a relatively shallow draft, a necessity for navigating the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. The construction utilized hand-laid fiberglass, a hallmark of the era that resulted in a "bulletproof" hull thickness, though often at the expense of light-air agility.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Bombay Explorer 44 is a quintessential heavy-displacement cruiser. With a substantial displacement-to-length ratio, the boat is designed more for momentum and stability than for rapid acceleration or pointing ability. Under sail, the Explorer 44 feels deliberate; it requires a stiff breeze—typically 12 knots or more—to truly find its stride. Once moving, however, its long keel and significant mass provide exceptional tracking, allowing the vessel to hold a course with minimal helm correction, a trait highly valued by solo or short-handed sailors.

The center-cockpit configuration places the helm high and relatively far forward, which provides excellent visibility but can feel "disconnected" compared to an aft-cockpit design. Because the boat carries its beam well aft, it offers a remarkably dry ride in a seaway. Owners often report that while the boat can be sluggish in stays (the transition during a tack), it excels on a reach or a run. The rigging is typically a stout, deck-stepped masthead sloop, though some custom ketch variants were rumored to exist. The sail plan is conservative, prioritizing ease of handling over raw power, making it a "forgiving" boat for those transitioning from smaller vessels to a 44-foot platform.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The primary draw of the Bombay Explorer 44 is its expansive interior volume. By utilizing a center-cockpit design, the builders were able to create a "great room" feel in the main salon and a dedicated, private owner's suite aft. The layout typically features a large V-berth forward with its own head, a sprawling U-shaped galley in the walk-through to the aft cabin, and a massive aft stateroom with a double or queen-sized berth.

Headroom is a standout feature, often exceeding 6'4" in the main salon, which makes the boat feel significantly larger than its 44-foot length suggests. The use of heavy teak joinery and cabinetry was standard, reflecting the traditional maritime tastes of the 1980s. While there are no widely documented "4-cabin" variations like those found in modern Mediterranean charter fleets, internal modifications were common. Some hulls featured a more open "studio" layout, while others prioritized storage lockers for long-range provisioning. The sibling model, the Bombay 36, shares much of the interior DNA but lacks the crucial walk-through to the aft cabin found on the 44, which defines the Explorer's livability.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Bombay Explorer 44 should approach a survey with an eye toward the specific vulnerabilities of late-20th-century Florida-built yachts.

• Deck Core Integrity: Like many boats of its era, Bombay utilized balsa or plywood coring in the decks. Over four decades, hardware bedding can fail, leading to moisture intrusion. A thorough percussion test (hammer sounding) of the deck, especially around stanchion bases and the windlass, is mandatory.
• Chainplates: The chainplates on the Explorer 44 are robust but can be difficult to inspect where they pass through the deck. Any sign of "bleeding" or rust streaks on the interior cabinetry near the shrouds indicates potential crevice corrosion that requires immediate attention.
• Osmotic Blistering: While the hulls are thick, they were built before the widespread use of vinylester resins. Blistering is a common finding during haul-outs. While rarely structural on a hull this thick, it is a significant factor in maintenance costs and resale value.
• Fuel and Water Tanks: The original tanks were often made of aluminum or iron and may be nearing the end of their service life. Given the boat's "liner" construction, replacing these tanks can be a major surgical undertaking involving the removal of floorboards or furniture.

Community & Resources

While there is no longer an active manufacturer support network, the Bombay Explorer 44 enjoys a niche following within broader cruising communities. Information is most frequently shared through the Bombay Owners Group, which occasionally surfaces on larger nautical technical platforms. Owners of the 44 often cross-reference technical data with the Morgan 41 Out Island communities, as the boats share similar mechanical systems and cruising profiles.

The Verdict

The Bombay Explorer 44 is an "honest" cruiser that prioritizes the "house" over the "carriage." It is not a boat for those who enjoy tweaking sail trim for an extra tenth of a knot, but it is an exceptional platform for a couple looking to live aboard and explore the Caribbean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Its sheer mass and volume offer a level of comfort that modern, lightweight cruisers often struggle to match at this price point.

Pros:

• Exceptional interior volume and headroom for its class.
• Stable, predictable motion in heavy seas.
• Large, private aft stateroom ideal for long-term living.
• Heavy-duty fiberglass construction.

Cons:

• Poor light-air performance and limited pointing ability.
• High maintenance requirements for aging teak and systems.
• Large turning radius makes tight marina maneuvering a challenge.
• Potential for significant deck core or tankage issues due to age.