Design and Construction
Stamas Yachts Inc. had been known for rugged fiberglass powerboats since 1952. That approach carried over to the Stamas 44, emphasizing solid construction along with liveaboard comfort and offshore capability.
The hull measures 44 feet overall, with a 34-foot waterline and 14-foot beam. Displacement is 35,000 pounds, including 12,000 pounds of ballast. A fin keel with a maximum draft of 5.08 feet and a skeg-hung rudder suit the boat to bluewater passages rather than shoal gunkholing.
Johnson, who later contributed to Island Packet designs, shaped the Stamas 44 as a center-cockpit cruiser meant to be lived aboard and sailed hard—not chased around a buoy course.
Rig and Sail Plan
The Stamas 44 carries a ketch rig, dividing its sail area into manageable sections for shorthanded offshore sailing. The mainsail is 360 square feet, with a 46.5-foot luff, while the mizzen is 127 square feet, with a 30-foot luff.
Forward of the mast, the standard 115 percent LP jib measures just under 398 square feet. A 150 percent genoa provides 616 square feet. Rig dimensions include an I measurement of 53.25 feet and a J of 15.58 feet at the foretriangle, plus a 30-foot P2 mizzen measurement.
Total sail area is 903 square feet. Against the boat’s 35,000-pound displacement, that modest figure confirms the design’s emphasis on stability and control rather than acceleration.
Accommodations and Liveaboard Character
The center-cockpit layout places the helm amidships and dedicates volume to living space, in keeping with its documented emphasis on spacious liveaboard comfort. The 14-foot beam and 35,000-pound displacement give the hull the volume and mass needed to support extended cruising.
The design priorities are clear: bluewater capability and life aboard came before light-air speed. That makes the Stamas 44 better suited to serious passage-making than weekend coastal racing.
The Verdict
The Stamas 44 is a scarce, purpose-built offshore ketch from a powerboat builder’s brief foray into sail. With only about 22 hulls produced, it’s an uncommon find. Its specifications and stated design priorities point to a sober, capable cruiser for liveaboard voyaging.
Pros
- Heavy 35,000 lb displacement and 12,000 lb ballast support offshore stability
- Center-cockpit layout geared toward liveaboard comfort
- Ketch rig divides the sail area for manageable shorthanded handling
- Built by a yard with a long record of rugged fiberglass construction
Cons
- Only about 22 were built, limiting spares and fleet knowledge
- The design prioritizes bluewater capability over light-air speed
- A 5.08 ft draft restricts shallow-water access
