Design and Construction
The HH44's structure is where she diverges hardest from the mainstream. The Sports Cruising (SC) version is built in carbon epoxy and is the only cat in its class to carry carbon fibre hulls as standard, with carbon rig, bowsprit, daggerboards, and rudders all part of the package anchor. Massive amounts of carbon fibre run through every load-bearing area, and the builder cites superior epoxy resins in the laminate anchor. The OC model trades the carbon hulls for a gelcoat finish, an aluminium mast, and fixed keels, but the SC's carbon-everything approach gives her a displacement of just 20,701lb at a 23ft 6in beam. A noticeable high freeboard and over 3ft of bridgedeck clearance keep the deck dry and the ride quiet in a seaway, while razor-sharp bows and an attractive coachroof line running aft to cover the helms give her a sporty profile anchor.
Those bows are not just for looks. The fine entry cuts through a 2.5m swell without bleeding speed, and the C-shaped carbon daggerboards — 5m long and giving up to 9ft 10in of draught — provide vertical lift and genuinely impressive upwind performance anchor. The same performance brief produced folding transoms similar to monohull sugar scoops: they enhance safety at sea by preventing a following sea from poaching the cockpit, and at anchor they drop to form a bathing platform and easy water access anchor. A single line at each helm winch lowers the 100% carbon fibre transom until it rests horizontally.
Rig and Handling
The aft-helm decision drove much of the deck layout. With the helms moved aft, the coachroof was freed for a market-leading 4.2kW solar array as standard, and all running rigging — even the jib sheets — runs through line tunnels under the deck to keep walkways clear anchor. A powerful carbon rig with a low boom keeps the centre of effort down, and swing pedestals let the helmsman steer from an outboard vantage or tuck beneath the bimini. The fold-down helm seats stow out of the way for living but deploy when sailing.
On the wheel she is direct and responsive to trim. Test sailors made 7.5–8.5 knots upwind in 11–15 knots true with a square-top main and Solent, and 8.5–10-plus knots under a top-down gennaker in around 11 knots apparent anchor. She is a stiff yacht that reacts quickly to puffs, and her polars suggest double figures are easy when reaching above 12–14 knots true. Two helms make docking on either side a breeze, and the whole boat can be controlled from the helm, with powered winches remotely operated by foot controls and Cyclops Marine sensors monitoring rig loads.
Accommodations
Inside, the angular cabin holds two large forward-facing tempered glass windows that open fully from the 187 sq ft saloon, which carries over 2m headroom throughout anchor. The massive Lewmar windows and overhead plus two central hatches deliver phenomenal ventilation at anchor, and the galley links seamlessly to the cockpit. In the hulls it is a three-cabin layout only; the forward starboard cabin can be a compact double, a Pullman, or a utility space. Headroom in the hulls is 6ft 4in. Foam-core furniture with exceptional joinery, four colour combinations, hidden cabinet locks, and folding tables that become passage berths round out a modern interior. Aft berths lift on struts to reveal the engine bays below.
Known Issues
The helm geometry draws the only real criticism. The fold-down seats are a little low for clear sightlines, and with the pedestals canted there are blind spots right in the quarters — a drawback of the low aft helms that testers found a bit crowded anchor. The ultra-fine bows and large daggerboard casings steal precious volume in the hulls, a direct trade for the performance underbody. And while the grippy EVA foam decking across the whole deck is comfortable and cool underfoot, a question mark remains over its long-term durability anchor.
The Verdict
The HH44 is a fast, sporty carbon cat with efficient daggerboards that is reactive and fun to sail, yet capable of ocean passage-making. She boasts the most sail power and highest performance ratio in her class, and the parallel-hybrid EcoDrive gives silent, fume-free motoring with hydro-regeneration under sail and diesel backup. The folding transoms, opening glass saloon, and full helm control make her as clever at anchor as she is quick on a beat.
Pros
- Carbon hulls and structure standard on SC model; only class cat with that spec
- Parallel hybrid propulsion with diesel backup and hydro-generation
- Folding transoms for safety at sea and liveability at anchor
- Market-leading solar and 48V architecture as standard
- Genuine 7–10 knot performance under sail in modest wind
Cons
- Low helm seats and canted pedestals create blind spots
- Fine bows and daggerboard casings reduce hull cabin volume
- EVA foam decking longevity unproven
- OC model loses carbon hulls and daggerboards for fixed keels
