Design and Construction
The 44 Open’s hulls show fine bows, a narrow waterline, and controlled volumes, with an inverted and reversed bow that lends a balanced sailing character and a sweeping deck-line curve. Below the waterline the hulls stay narrow, while stepped chines widen the topsides to create roomier accommodation above the waterline, and the nacelle is less pronounced than on typical production cruising cats. The line of hull windows is more tapered than earlier Nautitech models. Structurally, hull, deck, cabin top, and Bimini are vacuum-infused using Divinycell foam coring, and furniture and bulkheads are likewise cored to trim weight; the coach roof itself evokes ocean-racing styling. With a CE Certification A.10 rating, the boat is built for distant horizons.
Rig and Handling
Maneuvers are centralized at the stern, with a lower main-sheet track and a boom mounted low above the coachroof to sharpen mainsail efficiency in its lower portion. The standard rig carries a square-top main and a furled, self-tending jib on a fractional sloop plan, with a self-tacking jib giving 110 square meters of sail area and an overlapping genoa pushing that to 133. A code zero flies from an aluminum bowsprit for offwind speed. Twin aft helm stations—protected by small biminis and fitted with hexagonal Goïot wheels—keep the driver outboard for sightlines, and color-coded traveler lines remove guesswork when trimming. On test sails the helm proved direct with well-judged feedback, and the boat made 6.5 knots hard on the wind in 12 knots of breeze, jumped into the high 8s with the code zero, and regularly passed 10 knots at 110 degrees to the wind; under optional 50 hp Volvo Penta diesels with saildrives it cruised at 7.6 knots and topped 9 in get-home mode. A bow-mounted camera under the radar antenna aids close-quarters judgment.
Accommodations
The Open concept merges interior and exterior into one volume, with the true saloon sitting outside under a long rigid Bimini and wraparound coachroof windows, while large windows encircle the indoor saloon for a 360-degree view. Inside, the galley to starboard carries an easy-clean acrylic resin worktop with integrated sink and cooktop, plus a 144-liter fridge and optional freezer; three fridge-freezer drawers sit forward in the starboard corner. To port, a forward-facing nav desk doubles as a proper indoor station, and a stand-up bar by Chedal Anglay wraps the mast compression post. The three-cabin layout dedicates the port hull to an owner’s suite with aft queen, separate heads, and forward shower, while starboard has fore and aft doubles split by a head; a four-cabin, two-head version is also offered. The SmartRoom converts a forward cabin into an office, workshop, or stowage space, originally developed for the 48 Open. Interiors are walnut Alpi with light oak available.
Known Issues
Testers noted that the non-slip deck surface lacks sufficient texture for secure footing in wet weather, a point worth weighing for crews who move forward in rain or spray.
Refits and Ownership
Nautitech has stated there is no plan for a flybridge option on the 44 Open, keeping the open-deck ethos intact. The boat’s modular SmartRoom and multiple cabin counts (3 or 4, with or without the technical room) let an owner adapt the same hull to changing crew needs without structural change. Standard 30 hp Volvo Pentas can be upgraded to 50 hp units, and the expanded fridge and double-drawer cooling reflect a fit-out aimed at owners on the go rather than bareboat turnover.
The Verdict
The 44 Open is a thoughtfully evolved cruising cat that trades charter-grade sameness for owner-focused flexibility, light-displacement performance, and a genuinely open living plan. Its narrow waterline and cored construction keep weight in check, while the centralized stern rigging and low boom make shorthanded sailing realistic. The only documented shortfall is a slick-feeling deck when wet.
Pros
- Narrow, fine-bowed hulls with stepped chines for above-water room and balanced sailing
- Vacuum-infused cored hull, deck, and furniture for low displacement
- Centralized stern maneuvers, low boom, and self-tending jib ease shorthanded handling
- Modular SmartRoom and 3- or 4-cabin layouts adapt to owner needs
- Strong light-air and offwind speed under code zero and genoa
Cons
- Non-slip deck texture inadequate for wet-weather grip
- No flybridge planned, limiting enclosed upper-station appeal
