Design and Construction
The hull is hand-laid fiberglass that tapers from three-quarters of an inch in the keel and bilge area to half an inch above the waterline. The deck is a marine-plywood sandwich. At the sheer, a tongue-and-groove hull-to-deck joint is through-bolted and glassed over, creating a structurally continuous connection.
A long-fin keel with a cutaway forefoot and afterbody carries 10,000 pounds of encapsulated lead ballast. With a displacement of 30,000 pounds, the Peterson has a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 33 percent, placing it in the light-to-moderate displacement class. The largely cutaway forefoot reduces wetted surface.
A full-size molded-in skeg supports the fully skeg-hung rudder. The propeller sits in an aperture between the skeg and rudder, where it is completely protected. A nine-foot prop shaft runs through two cutless bearings.
The boat has a fine entry and a wineglass-shaped transom. Its cabin top is surprisingly low, which helps keep weight down.
Rig and Handling
The Peterson 44 carries a keel-stepped cutter rig with double spreaders and 1,011 square feet of working sail. Standard equipment included Lewmar #28 primary winches and a manual windlass, and every boat was delivered with factory-installed bow rollers.
Under sail, the Peterson is easy on the helm. Its theoretical hull speed is 8.3 knots, and 180-nautical-mile days are very attainable. Owners report that their preferred heavy-weather strategy is to heave to under a reefed mainsail and staysail. When fitted, a servo-pendulum windvane can handle the steering.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The low-profile center cockpit measures 6 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 6 inches, with room for a full-size dodger and bimini. Two companionways lead below, and both are protected by bridge decks.
Forward, the traditional V-berth has ample shelf storage along the hull and access to a combined forward head and shower. In the saloon, a straight settee runs along the starboard side. To port is a true dinette with two bench seats and a table.
A full-size U-shaped galley sits to port near amidships. It includes a stove, a double stainless steel sink close to the centerline, and a large freezer beneath the companionway steps. Opposite, to starboard, is a large forward-facing navigation station.
The starboard-side passage to the owner’s cabin begins directly behind the navigation station and requires stooping. The aft cabin has a large centerline bunk, a separate head with shower, and its own sliding hatch and companionway to the cockpit. Altogether, the tri-cabin arrangement accommodates seven.
The interior is finished in teak, with a teak-and-holly sole. Ventilation in the main cabin comes from three hatches and six opening ports; the aft cabin has four ports and two hatches. Overall, the boat has three dorades and ten opening cast-bronze ports.
Machinery and Factory Options
The original engine was a 62-hp Perkins 4-152 diesel. Some boats were delivered with 80-hp Ford Lehman diesels, while others received Westerbeke or Lehman engines in the 54–62 hp range. A dedicated engine room lies beneath the center cockpit sole to port.
Teak decks were available as a factory option.
Known Tank Problems
The Peterson 44’s main weakness is its fuel system. Its black-iron tanks have repeatedly developed cracks and leaks over time. Many owners have replaced them entirely, but doing so has required cutting apart the cabin sole.
Some owners have also reported cracks and leaks in the stainless steel water tanks. The boat has four separate water tanks with a combined capacity of 132 gallons.
Given the fuel tanks’ history, prospective buyers should budget for a possible cabin-sole cut and tank rebuild.
The Verdict
The Peterson 44 is a thoughtfully engineered, moderate-displacement bluewater cutter. Its protected propeller, skeg-hung rudder, forgiving sailing profile, and practical tri-cabin layout remain well suited to long voyages. The known tank vulnerabilities are serious, though addressable.
Pros
- Hand-laid, tapering fiberglass hull with a through-bolted and glassed-over hull-to-deck joint
- Encapsulated lead ballast in a cutaway-forefoot fin keel
- Protected propeller and skeg-hung rudder
- Spacious tri-cabin interior with separate access to the aft cabin
- Large, low-profile center cockpit
- Easy helm and strong passage-making ability, with 180-nautical-mile days attainable
Cons
- Black-iron fuel tanks are prone to cracks and leaks, and replacement often requires removing sections of the cabin sole
- Some owners report cracks and leaks in the stainless steel water tanks
