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, with the deck built as a marine-plywood sandwich. The hull-to-deck joint is a tongue-and-groove connection that is through-bolted and glassed over, a method that yields a structurally continuous sheer line. A long-fin keel with cutaway forefoot and afterbody carries 10,000 pounds of encapsulated lead ballast inside a 30,000-pound displacement, giving a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 33 percent that places the 44 in the light-to-moderate displacement class. The largely cut-away forefoot reduces the wetted surface, and a full-size molded-in skeg supports a fully skeg-hung rudder with the propeller mounted in an aperture between skeg and rudder for complete protection. A nine-foot prop shaft runs through two cutless bearings. The cabin top is surprisingly low-profile, which keeps the weight low, and the boat shows a fine entry with a wineglass-shaped transom.
Rig and Handling
The 44 carries a double-spreader, keel-stepped cutter rig and supports 1,011 square feet of working sail. Boats came standard with Lewmar #28 primaries and a manual windlass, and each was delivered with factory-installed bow rollers. Underway the Peterson is easy on the helm, and with a theoretical hull speed of 8.3 knots, 180-nautical-mile days are very attainable. Owners report that heaving to with a reefed main and staysail set is the preferred heavy weather strategy, and a servo-pendulum windvane will handle steering chores when rigged.
Accommodations
The center cockpit is large at 6 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 6 inches and accommodates a full-size dodger and bimini, with two companionways both protected by bridge decks. Forward, a traditional V-berth offers ample shelf storage along the hull and access to a forward head and shower combination. The saloon features a straight settee to starboard and a true dinette with two bench seats and a table to port. A full-size U-shaped galley sits to port near amidships with a large freezer under the companionway steps, a stove, and a double stainless steel sink close to the centerline; opposite to starboard is a large, forward-facing nav station. The passage aft to the owner's cabin is directly behind the nav station on the starboard side 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. The interior is finished in teak with a teak-and-holly sole. Ventilation includes three hatches and six opening ports for the main cabin plus four ports and two hatches for the aft cabin, with three dorades and ten opening cast bronze ports overall. The tri-cabin arrangement accommodates seven.
Known Issues
The real weakness on the 44 is the fuel system: the tanks are black iron and have suffered repeated failures with cracks and leaks over time. Many owners have replaced the fuel tanks entirely but have had to cut the cabin sole apart to do so. Some owners have also reported cracking and leaks in their stainless steel water tanks, which are four separate units carrying 132 gallons.
Refits and Ownership
Original power was a 62-hp Perkins 4-152 diesel, though some boats were delivered with Ford Lehman 80-hp diesels and others with Westerbeke or Lehman units in the 54–62 hp range; the engine room is dedicated and located under the center cockpit sole to port. Teak decks were offered as a factory option. Given the fuel-tank history, any buyer should budget for a possible sole cut and tank rebuild as part of ownership.
The Verdict
The Peterson 44 is a thoughtfully engineered moderate-displacement bluewater cutter with a protected prop, skeg-hung rudder, and a practical tri-cabin layout that still suits long voyages. Its known tank vulnerabilities are serious but addressable, and the boat's sailing profile remains forgiving and capable.
Pros
- Hand-laid tapering fiberglass hull with through-bolted, glassed-over hull-deck joint
- Encapsulated lead ballast in a cutaway forefoot fin keel with protected prop and skeg rudder
- Spacious tri-cabin interior with separate aft-cabin access and low-profile center cockpit
- Easy helm and strong passage-making ability with 180-mile days attainable
Cons
- Black-iron fuel tanks prone to cracks and leaks, often requiring cabin sole removal to replace
- Stainless steel water tanks reported by some owners to crack and leak
