Design and Construction
The structure centers on a load-bearing stainless steel frame laminated into the hull just abaft the main bulkhead. The mast steps onto this frame, the chainplates attach to it, and the keel bolts pass through it. The stainless steel frame carries the mast, chainplate, and keel loads.
Forward of the bulkhead, a molded strengthening grid is glassed into the hull floor. A pair of full-length stringers stiffens the topsides, while the structural bulkheads are laminated to both hull and deck. The deck is glued and through-bolted to an inward-turned hull flange, and the hull is laid up in a split mold to accommodate that joint.
Above the waterline, the laminate consists of blister-resistant vinylester resin infused into triaxial cloth over a PVC foam core. Plumbing and electrical runs are installed with service points kept within easy reach.
The racing “ibc” variant takes the construction method further, using vacuum-injected resin, basalt fiber, composite bulkheads, and a carbon rig and rudder.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The Salona 44 carries a keel-stepped, triple-spreader fractional Seldén rig, with a Harken furling drum concealed below deck. Six Harken Radial winches handle the sail controls: size 60s for the genoa sheets and size 50s for the mainsheet and halyards.
A dual-purpose German mainsheet system adapts the boat for cruising or racing. In cruising trim, paired bridles run across the cabintop, clear of the crew. In racing trim, the mainsheet leads to a full-width traveler recessed into the cockpit sole just ahead of the twin helms. Drop-in infills conceal the traveler when it isn’t in use, while the sheet tails disappear below deck and run to dedicated winches beside the wheels.
In 8 knots of wind, test sailors found the boat hard on the wind, surging straight as an arrow with a perfectly balanced helm. The instruments showed an easy 7-plus knots, rising to 8-plus in puffs of 10–12 knots. She tracked equally well downwind and tacked through a little more than 80 degrees, even with the short keel.
Cruising World noted that the feathery twin wheels and triple-spreader rig handled well upwind and downwind in any breeze. The boat was also capable of double-digit speeds without sacrificing cruising comfort.
One handling quirk emerged during testing: the recessed-drum, deck-sweeping genoa requires the crew to skirt the sail after every tack.
Cockpit and Deck
Wide side decks, inboard chainplates, and genoa tracks set close to the cabintop make moving fore and aft straightforward. Long grabrails stop just short of the mast, while low, teak-capped bulwarks add security on the foredeck.
A deep anchor well contains the Quick electric windlass and the furling drum. There’s a single bow roller, along with well-sized mooring cleats at the bow, stern, and amidships.
The cockpit footwell is divided by a removable drop-leaf table and flanked by long, wide bench seats. The coamings are well angled, although they’re a little low for lasting comfort. The shallow twin lockers still have enough room for cruising essentials.
The liferaft stows under the sole abaft the helms. The full-width helm bench can be lifted out and used as a passarelle, and the transom opens wide. However, there’s no drop-down swim platform, which may be a drawback for cruising buyers.
Accommodations
The standard three-cabin layout has mirror-image aft cabins and a full-width owner’s stateroom forward. An alternative four-cabin arrangement replaces the forward stateroom with Pullman berths.
The saloon has 6-foot-6-inch headroom and seats six to eight around the dinette. Right-angled ends on the settees give crew a secure corner to wedge into. The port settee makes a good seaberth, but the starboard settee is too short for an adult. An optional table lowers to form a double berth.
Stowage is generous beneath and outboard of the settees, with additional space in overhead shelves. The understated interior uses horizontally aligned teak veneer—ash or mahogany is optional—set against white moldings. Flush hatches, cabintop ports, and hull ports bring in light.
The galley is to port and includes a two-burner stove, deep twin sinks, and a brace point for use at sea. Cold storage consists of a large, top-opening Waeco fridge/freezer and a smaller front-opening unit.
Opposite the galley is a generously proportioned navigation table. It lacks only a concave seat to be fully functional at sea.
The forward en suite head includes a separate shower stall. The aft crew head is a tighter fit.
Engine and Systems
The standard 54hp Yanmar diesel is regarded as plenty adequate. The test boat carried the optional 75hp turbo engine and a three-bladed Gori folding propeller, which delivered an easy 8 knots.
The engine installation is well soundproofed, with all service points visible. Sea trials recorded 6 knots at 2,500 rpm and 8.6 knots at 3,600 rpm.
Verdict
The Salona 44 is a thoughtfully engineered performance cruiser. Its structural frame, infusion-built laminate, and convertible mainsheet arrangement allow it to race on Saturday and cruise on Sunday without compromising either role. The accommodations are practical and bright, the cockpit works well, and accessible systems reflect the boat’s build quality.
Pros
- Stainless steel frame carries the mast, chainplate, and keel loads in one structure
- Dual-purpose mainsheet system switches cleanly between cruising and racing
- Balanced helm and easy speeds of 7–8 knots in a modest breeze
- Generous stowage and a proper seagoing galley
Cons
- No drop-down swim platform
- Deck-sweeping genoa must be skirted after every tack
- Starboard settee is too short for an adult berth
- Aft head is tight, and the cockpit coamings are a little low for lasting comfort
