Gozzard 44 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Three-cabin layouts are the more common configuration encountered on the used market, though two-cabin arrangements do circulate. The interior reflects Ted Gozzard's philosophy of flexible, livable space: the main saloon is generous for a 44-footer, and the forward cabin is properly sized for extended cruising. A notable design feature carried across both generations is a flexible saloon area that can serve as both a social space and supplementary sleeping quarters. Buyers looking for a dedicated owner's stateroom will generally find the three-cabin versions more practical, while couples prioritizing saloon volume may prefer the two-cabin arrangement. Either way, headroom is good throughout, and the galley is positioned for offshore use rather than marina entertaining.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Gozzard 44s on the used market tend to arrive well equipped, a reflection of the owner demographic: experienced offshore sailors who have fitted these boats for passage-making. Air conditioning, biminis, and dodgers are commonly fitted, as are autopilots, radar, chartplotters, and AIS — the navigation suite is usually reasonably current, though electronics age faster than hulls and an upgrade cycle should be budgeted. Inverters, hot water systems, and heating are typical finds, and watermakers appear on a large share of examples. Dinghy davits and swim platforms are standard features on most used examples. Lithium battery banks are a frequent owner upgrade on boats that have passed through a refit cycle, often paired with solar panels and occasionally a wind generator. Bow thrusters are found on a meaningful share of the fleet, reflecting how these boats are often sailed shorthanded. Freezers are commonly fitted rather than an afterthought.

Among the often-seen additions, furling mains, gennakers, and asymmetric spinnakers speak to owners who wanted sail-area flexibility for downwind passages. Teak decks appear on a portion of the fleet, adding traditional aesthetics but adding maintenance obligations that buyers should factor in. EPIRBs and life rafts are standard features on most passage-ready examples. Spinnaker gear, washing machines, and hardtops are less common but do appear, particularly on boats that have been used for extended live-aboard cruising.

What to Inspect

The Gozzard 44's hull construction is one of its strongest selling points. Hull thickness approaching two inches and Corecell composite structure on the Mk2 mean osmotic blistering and delamination are far less common concerns than on mass-production contemporaries, but a professional survey with moisture readings remains essential. The long-keel and modified fin-keel variants have different wear patterns at the keel-to-hull joint, and this area warrants close attention regardless of generation.

The engine installation deserves careful scrutiny — belts, hoses, and the cooling system should be inspected for wear, and the fuel system checked for leaks. The Westerbeke diesel fitted to many examples is a reliable unit, but these boats are old enough that a compression test and oil analysis are prudent before committing. Transmission fluid, shaft seal, and cutless bearing condition round out the drivetrain inspection.

Sails on boats of this vintage often need replacement, and the full furling rig — genoa, staysail, and sometimes a furling main — should be examined for UV degradation and wear at the clew and tack. The self-tacking staysail arrangement on the half-moon track is a thoughtful design, but the track hardware and cars should be inspected for corrosion and smooth operation. Through-hull fittings should be assessed for age and integrity, particularly on boats that have spent extended time in warm water. Seacocks should operate freely; if they have not been exercised regularly, replacement is cheaper than the alternative.

Standing rigging age and wire condition matter on any offshore boat, but the Gozzard 44's cutter rig means more chainplates and attachment points to inspect. Check the mast step and partner for moisture intrusion, especially on the wooden-structure Mk1 generation. The cockpit pod — the center console that encloses the generator — is a distinctive feature; inspect the enclosure for water ingress and verify the genset runs. On boats with teak decks, probe the teak carefully for delamination from the underlying substrate, as recaulking or full replacement is a substantial cost item.

Electronics and communication gear should be evaluated without sentiment. Even a well-maintained Gozzard 44 will likely require a navigation electronics refresh at some point in the purchasing cycle, and the wiring harness behind aging panels deserves a professional inspection.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Gozzard 44 is primarily a North American market boat, with most examples circulating through United States brokerage. The builder's base in Ontario, Canada, means a proportion of the fleet has Great Lakes origins and may have limited offshore hours relative to its age — which can be either a selling point or a concern depending on whether those systems have been exercised. The boat's bluewater reputation means examples also appear in cruising hubs and occasionally surface after Atlantic or Pacific circuits.

Supply is limited by the nature of a semi-custom builder; this is not a boat that floods the market after production ends. When one appears for sale, it tends to attract serious buyers who have been waiting. Patience is required.

Pre-purchase checklist:

• Full professional survey with moisture meter readings across hull and deck
• Engine compression test, oil analysis, and inspection of belts, hoses, and fuel system
• Rigging age verification and inspection of all chainplates and mast partners
• Through-hull fittings and seacock condition
• Sail inspection for UV damage, particularly on the furling headsails and staysail track hardware
• Teak deck probe for delamination if fitted
• Cockpit pod and genset inspection for water ingress and operability
• Electronics and wiring harness evaluation
• Keel-to-hull joint inspection appropriate to generation (full keel vs. modified fin)
• Confirm Mk1 vs. Mk2 generation and understand the construction and draft differences between them