Imported into the US by Voyage Yachts of Annapolis, Maryland, the 440 was conceived as a performance bluewater cruising catamaran rather than a coastal weekender.
Design and Construction
The 440’s structure reflects a deliberate offshore philosophy. Voyage Yachts used a double-redundant hull-to-deck joint and bagged-core construction. Gussets or bulkheads reinforced the panels before any span became too extensive, and testers noted strong execution of the glasswork throughout.
One Cruising World judge described the structure as tight as a good guitar body, conveying the torsional stiffness needed when a multihull works through a tack.
The 440 measures 43.7 feet long, with a 40.5-foot waterline, 25.1-foot beam, and 3.5-foot draft. She displaces 20,249 pounds. Her 3.68 capsize ratio and 10.34 comfort ratio place her firmly in the passagemaking camp rather than the charter-light class.
Rig, Deck Layout, and Performance
The deck layout is designed for shorthanded sailing. All controls lead aft to the coachroof winches, while a traveler arch provides step-through access to the dive platform. A judge noted that the deck routing made each route feel like the most appropriate path, wherever one walked.
The fractional rig carries a fathead main. Testers said this configuration demanded a quiver of headsails: a working jib that furls down to a storm jib, a genoa, and an asymmetric spinnaker. Cruising World’s judges praised the sailplan for safely covering a variety of wind ranges.
Under sail, the 440 made 9-plus knots upwind in 12 knots of breeze and 9.6 knots on a spinnaker run. Testers also said she had the nicest motion of anything they sailed during that period.
Accommodations
Voyage offered three distinct interior configurations. The Owners layout provides three queen berths and either two or three head-and-shower compartments. The Charter version expands that arrangement to four queen-size cabins and four heads. A separate Daycruiser variant, built without a coachroof for the day-charter trade, seats 32.
The standard cruising layout has an up galley and four double cabins in the hulls. Handholds are fitted below, a detail one tester specifically highlighted as thoughtful. In the cockpit, a bimini provides shade, while a hard-top walkway extends aft.
Equipment and Systems
The fuel system drew particular praise. One judge called the forward tank installation a fine execution, and testers found the bulkhead-mounted valves and filters clearly labeled. Another judge rated the electrical panel “absolutely 4.0.”
With 106 gallons of fuel and 169 gallons of water, the 440 was specified for extended independent cruising rather than marina hopping.
Verdict
Cruising World’s judges regarded the Voyage 440 as the first multihull they considered both a true prime yacht and a functional cruiser. One said she was seriously made for going to sea—a passagemaker without hesitation.
Her combination of structural redundancy, a deck layout suited to shorthanded sailing, and a genuinely offshore interior makes the Voyage 440 a benchmark used catamaran for buyers who actually leave the coast.
Pros
- First multihull to win Cruising World’s Overall Boat of the Year award
- Double-redundant hull-to-deck joint and reinforced panel spans
- Shorthanded deck layout with all controls led aft
- Three configurations, including a four-queen charter layout
- Strong upwind and downwind performance with the fractional fathead rig
Cons
- Fractional rig and fathead main require multiple headsails
- Daycruiser version lacks a coachroof, limiting its cruising use
