Pearson Countess 44 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Pearson Countess 44 means chasing a scarce Alden-designed ketch built by Pearson Yachts between 1965 and 1970, with under 100 ever completed. These are solid fiberglass, long-keel cruisers of 44.5 feet with a ketch rig, and the used fleet reflects both private and ex-charter histories. Knowing what was original and what has been added over the decades is the key to a sound purchase.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common on the used market, though both owner and alternative layouts appear, and ex-charter examples are common. The defining interior feature remains the large deckhouse with picture-window visibility under sail, paired with a builder-stated emphasis on elegance, convenience, and spaciousness. Fresh water capacity of 184 gallons supports the liveaboard feel these boats trade on.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used fleet, canvas and sail handling commonly include a bimini, a furling main, and a dodger, with a gennaker often seen for light-air performance. Navigation and safety commonly fitted items include a chartplotter, radar, autopilot, and life raft. Power and energy systems frequently show solar, an inverter, and lithium batteries, while comfort upgrades such as air conditioning, hot water, a cockpit shower, and teak decks are often carried. A swim platform and dinghy davits are also frequently found, reflecting the boat's motor-sailer leanings.
What to Inspect
The Countess 44 is a solid fiberglass hull and deck structure with a long keel and attached rudder. Prospective buyers should verify the condition of the original ketch rigging, as the yachtdatabase specifications list substantial halyard and sheet dimensions — mainsail halyards at 33.4 meters with 14 mm diameter and mainsheet at 33.9 meters — that reflect the boat's overrigged sail plan and warrant careful wear inspection. The ultra-heavy displacement and 1,277 pounds-per-inch immersion rate mean any hull deformation or deck joint stress should be surveyed against the boat's 25,000-pound mass.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The typical market for the Countess 44 is the United States. Given the small build count and the mix of owner and ex-charter layouts, a buyer should:
- Confirm whether the example is ex-charter and assess wear accordingly
- Inspect original solid fiberglass hull and deck for stress or modification
- Verify rigging sizes and condition against the ketch's overrigged profile
- Check deckhouse integrity and window seals for leaks
- Validate tankage and auxiliary systems relative to stated capacities
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Pearson Countess 44. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $50,000 | — |
| May 26 | 5 | $73,000 | +46.0% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $85,000 | +16.4% |
Where they're listed
Pearson Countess 44 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 6.
Country view
6 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $79,000 | 6 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
8 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance 44 | 44.33' | $ 119,500 | 29 | 9 |
| Swan 44 | 44' | $ 167,905 | 23 | 4 |
| Morgan Yachts Morgan 44 | 44' | $ 84,900 | 19 | 0 |
| Gulfstar 44 Kth | 44.67' | $ 45,000 | 17 | 5 |
| Hylas 44 | 44.17' | $ 129,495 | 14 | 3 |
| Peter Ibold 44 | 44' | $ 88,430 | 12 | 5 |
| Pearson Countess 44You are here | — | $ 79,000 | 6 | 1 |
| Stamas 44 | 44' | $ 87,500 | 5 | 1 |