CSY 44 Cutter

Description

The CSY 44 Cutter (built by Caribbean Sailing Yachts or CSY) is a legendary American bluewater cutter from the late 1970s/early 1980s, widely regarded as one of the toughest, most overbuilt production sailboats of its era. Originally designed for the bareboat charter trade in the Caribbean, it became a favorite among serious cruisers for its tank-like fiberglass construction (solid FG hull with no coring below the waterline, thick layup), exceptional stability, spacious interior, and proven offshore capability. Owners call it a "go-anywhere" boat — rugged, comfortable, and forgiving in heavy weather, with excellent motion comfort and low capsize risk. It's not fast in light air but shines in moderate-to-strong winds, and many have completed circumnavigations or long passages. Designed by Peter Schmitt (CSY's in-house designer) with input from Frank Hamlin, it was produced from 1977 to around 1981 (CSY ceased operations shortly after). Variants include mid-cockpit ("walk-over" or "walk-through"), pilot house, and keel options (deep or shoal). Most were delivered as cutters, with some rigged as ketches. Production Quantities: Limited — approximately 40–87 hulls built across variants (exact totals vary by source, with mid-cockpit/walk-over being the most common cutter version; a relatively small run for its cult following).