Cambria 44 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The hull is solid fiberglass laid up with vinylester resin, while the deck uses a balsa core — a combination that keeps the topsides honest and the cabin top quiet underfoot. At 45.92 feet overall with a 36.33-foot waterline, she carries 28,600 pounds of displacement and 11,500 pounds of lead ballast in a keel that pairs a fiberglass shell with a protective skeg shielding both propeller and skeg-hung rudder. A centerboard keel operated by a hydraulic system lets the draft shrink to 5'6" with the board up, while a deep fin version drawing 7'6" was also offered for sailors who wanted maximum stiffness offshore. The centerboard arrangement gives her the rare ability to gunkhole in shoal water yet stand up and perform when the board is dropped.

Rig and Handling

Her rig is an aft-cockpit cutter on aluminum spars, with a keel-stepped mast carrying two sets of spreaders. Roller furling serves both genoa and staysail, and the mainsail uses slab reefing with lazy jacks — a straightforward offshore-friendly system. The sail inventory runs to a fully battened main, a 135% genoa, a staysail, an asymmetrical spinnaker, and a storm jib. Cockpit hardware is generous: two Lewmar 65 self-tailing primaries handle the genoa sheets, two Lewmar 43 secondaries the staysail, two more Lewmar 43 on the cabintop for halyards and reefing, and a pair of Lewmar 16 on the mast for the spinnaker gear. On deck she presents wide, uncluttered side decks, high lifelines, and sturdy handrails, with stainless pulpits, stanchions, and cleats throughout.

Accommodations

Below, the Cambria 44 sleeps up to six across three separate cabins. The aft owner's cabin holds a centerline queen, vanity, hanging locker, and an ensuite head with shower; forward, guests get a V-berth, hanging locker, and access to a second head with shower; amidships a third cabin offers upper and lower berths and a hanging locker. The main saloon is spacious and bright thanks to large windows and hatches, with a port U-shaped dinette that converts to a double and a starboard settee. A navigation station aft of the settee carries a large chart table and instrument panel, while opposite, the galley packs a three-burner stove, oven, double sink, refrigerator, freezer, and ample storage. Teak woodwork and beige upholstery lend the interior a warm, cozy atmosphere.

Deck and Equipment

The center cockpit is sheltered by dodger and bimini with comfortable crew seating, and the helm stations a single wheel with engine panel, autopilot, compass, and instruments. Forward, an electric windlass, anchor locker, twin bow rollers, and two anchors serve the ground tackle; aft, a swim platform with ladder, outboard bracket, and davits round out the dinghy handling. The wide and protected deck plan makes her a sensible platform for a couple or a small crew undertaking long passages.

The Verdict

The Cambria 44 is a low-production, thoughtfully engineered cruiser that balances shoal-water access with offshore composure through her hydraulic centerboard, and wraps serious cruising accommodations in a custom-yard finish. She is not a boat you will see in every anchorage, but the ones afloat are complete, considered vessels.

Pros