Unlike earlier HH models designed by an outside design house, the HH44 was conceived and designed entirely in-house by James Hakes. She carries an eco-friendly brief from the keel up and, according to the manufacturer’s specification, earned the 2024 Boat of the Year award.
Design and Construction
The HH44’s structure sets her apart from most production multihulls. The Sports Cruising (SC) version is built in carbon epoxy and is the only catamaran in its class with carbon-fibre hulls as standard. A carbon rig, bowsprit, daggerboards, and rudders are also part of the package.
Carbon fibre runs through every load-bearing area, and the builder cites superior epoxy resins in the laminate. The SC’s extensive use of carbon helps keep displacement to 20,701lb despite a beam of 23ft 6in. The Ocean Cruising (OC) model instead has a gelcoat finish, an aluminium mast, and fixed keels.
Noticeably high freeboard and more than 3ft of bridgedeck clearance keep the deck dry and the ride quiet in a seaway. Razor-sharp bows and an attractive coachroof line extending aft over the helms give the boat a sporty profile.
Those fine bows aren’t only a styling choice. The entry cuts through a 2.5m swell without bleeding speed. The C-shaped carbon daggerboards are 5m long and provide up to 9ft 10in of draught, along with vertical lift and genuinely impressive upwind performance.
The same performance brief produced folding transoms similar to monohull sugar scoops. At sea, they enhance safety by preventing a following sea from poaching the cockpit. At anchor, they lower to form a bathing platform and provide easy access to the water. A single line led to each helm winch lowers the 100% carbon-fibre transom until it rests horizontally.
Rig, Deck Layout, and Handling
The decision to place the helms aft shaped much of the deck layout. It freed the coachroof for a market-leading 4.2kW solar array fitted as standard. All running rigging, including the jib sheets, passes through tunnels beneath the deck, keeping the walkways clear.
A powerful carbon rig and low boom keep the centre of effort down. Swing pedestals allow the helmsman to steer from an outboard position or tuck beneath the bimini. The fold-down helm seats deploy for sailing and stow out of the way when the cockpit is being used as living space.
At the wheel, the HH44 is direct and responsive to trim. Test sailors recorded 7.5–8.5 knots upwind in 11–15 knots true with a square-top mainsail and Solent. Under a top-down gennaker, they made 8.5–10-plus knots in around 11 knots apparent.
She is a stiff yacht that responds quickly to puffs, and her polars suggest that double-figure speeds are easy when reaching in more than 12–14 knots true. The twin helms make it easy to dock on either side. The whole boat can be controlled from the helm, with powered winches operated remotely by foot controls and Cyclops Marine sensors monitoring rig loads. Two helms make docking on either side a breeze.
Interior and Accommodation
The angular cabin includes two large, forward-facing tempered-glass windows that open fully. The saloon measures 187 sq ft and has more than 2m of headroom throughout. Massive Lewmar windows, overhead glazing, and two central hatches provide phenomenal ventilation at anchor, while the galley connects seamlessly with the cockpit. The large windows and overhead glazing also bring light into the saloon.
The HH44 is offered only with a three-cabin layout. The forward starboard cabin can be arranged as a compact double, a Pullman, or a utility space. Headroom in the hulls is 6ft 4in.
Foam-core furniture, exceptional joinery, four colour combinations, hidden cabinet locks, and folding tables that convert into passage berths complete the modern interior. The aft berths lift on struts to expose the engine bays below.
Known Issues and Trade-Offs
The helm geometry attracts the only real criticism. The folding seats sit a little low for clear sightlines, while the canted pedestals create blind spots at the quarters. Testers found the low aft helm stations a little crowded.
The ultra-fine bows and large daggerboard casings also take up valuable space in the hulls—a direct trade-off for the performance-focused underbody. The grippy EVA foam covering the deck is comfortable and cool underfoot, but its long-term durability remains uncertain.
The Verdict
The HH44 is a fast, sporty carbon catamaran with efficient daggerboards. She is reactive and enjoyable to sail, yet capable of ocean passage-making. She boasts the most sail power and highest performance ratio in her class, while the SC’s carbon-everything approach gives her a displacement of just 20,701lb at a 23ft 6in beam.
The parallel-hybrid EcoDrive provides silent, fume-free motoring, hydro-regeneration under sail, and diesel backup. Folding transoms, an opening-glass saloon, and full control from the helms make the boat as thoughtfully arranged at anchor as she is quick on a beat.
Pros
- Carbon hulls and structure are standard on the SC model; it is the only catamaran in its class with that specification
- Parallel hybrid propulsion with diesel backup and hydro-generation
- Folding transoms improve safety at sea and liveability at anchor
- Market-leading solar installation and 48V architecture as standard
- Genuine 7–10 knot sailing performance in modest wind
Cons
- Low helm seats and canted pedestals create blind spots
- Fine bows and daggerboard casings reduce cabin volume in the hulls
- Long-term durability of the EVA foam decking is unproven
- The OC model replaces the carbon hulls and daggerboards with fixed keels
