BoatsSwan 44 (S&S)

Swan 44 (S&S)

Masthead Sloop · Fin With Rudder On Skeg · 1972–1978

A Sparkman & Stephens design also sold as the PJ-44, this masthead sloop features a skeg-hung rudder and a stiff hull

Designed by Sparkman & Stephens, built by Nautor.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin With Rudder On Skeg

See her sail

The Swan 44 (S&S), on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Practical Sailor

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a narrow beam gives 40 — a heavy, notably soft motion offshore.

Comfort ratio 40
CoastalBluewater

At 1.66 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.66
LightHeavy

321 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 321
EasygoingPowered-up

16.2 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.2
TenderStiff

45% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 45%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Heavier than ~84% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~85% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2461 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
45.0%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.2
Displacement / length
321.1
Comfort ratio
40.2
Capsize screening
1.66
Hull speed
7.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1523
Hull
Hull type
Fin with rudder on skeg
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1972–1978
Units built
76
Designer
Sparkman, Stephens
Builder
Nautor

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Lafitte Yachts 4413.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Robert Perry-designed cutter with a skeg-hung rudder, built for high-quality offshore cruising
Sailing Mexico to California: Couple Disappears on Sailboat - Ep 328 - Lady K Sailing6:18from Lady K Sailing
Westerly Marine Ltd. Ocean 4313.26 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Ron Holland-designed masthead sloop built for offshore comfort with a stable, skeg-mounted rudder configuration
Sell up and sail17:59from Sailing Gently
Hallberg-Rassy 43 MKI13.57 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA masthead-rigged blue water cruiser featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a stable, heavy-displacement hull
Which Voltage on a Medium Size Cruising Yacht? | Ask The Expert with NIGEL CALDER0:07from BoatHowTo
Hunter Marine 450 Passage13.49 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 45-foot cruiser with a bulb-fin keel and spade rudder, engineered for stable, comfortable offshore passage-making
OFFSHORE SAILING & ISLAND HOPPING the MEDITERRANEAN - Ep 153from Sailing Jibsea
Beneteau Idylle 135013.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA German Frers-designed masthead sloop with a skeg-mounted rudder, also produced as the Moorings 43 for charter service
Sailing to the Bahamas on a Budget - Ep 327 - Lady K Sailing5:33from Lady K Sailing
Jeanneau Sun Magic 4413.34 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-volume charter veteran also marketed as the Atlantic 44, built for stable cruising with a 2.12-metre fin keel
We found our next houseboat in Newport, USA | Episode 82 - Chez Team5:25from Chez Team

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Nautor Pj-44With a 45% ballast ratio and a 2.26-metre draft, this Nautor-built masthead sloop is a stiff, deep-water cruiserSwan 48 - S&SA versatile Sparkman & Stephens design available in sloop or ketch configurations with an optional tall rigSwan 43 (S&S)Drawn for the RORC rule, this masthead sloop features a high ballast-to-displacement ratio for a stiff, stable rideSwan 40 (S&S)A versatile S&S design offered with a centerboard option and a taller rig for varied cruising performanceSwan 41A Sparkman & Stephens masthead sloop designed for offshore stability with a high comfort ratio and skeg-mounted rudderSwan 47 S&SA Sparkman & Stephens design #2201 featuring a fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder for offshore stability

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