The CSY 44 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The CSY 44, a Heavy displacement cutter, was designed by Peter Schmitt & Frank Hamlin and built in the USA by CSY Yacht Corp.

A CSY 44 sailboat at anchor. 'CSY' stands for 'Caribbean Sailing Yacht'.

A CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit version)

There were three versions produced:

Mid-Cockpit
Pilot House
Walk Through

They were usually rigged as cutters, but a few were produced as staysail ketches.

The one shown in the pic above and described in the text is the Mid-Cockpit version.

Published Specification for the CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 44'0" (13.4m)

Waterline Length: 36'0" (11.0m)

Beam: 13'4" (4.1m)

Draft: 6'6" (2.0m), Shoal Draft version 5'0" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 38,000lb (17,327kg)

Designer: Peter Schmitt & Frank Hamlin

Builder: CSY Yacht Corp. (Caribbean Sailing Yachts)

Year First Built: 1977

Year Last Built: 1981

Number Built: 400

Published Design Ratios for the CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 12.9

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 36.9

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 354

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 48.3

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 12.9 suggests that the CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit) will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 36.9 means that the CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit) will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 354, tells us theCSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit) is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 48.3 suggests that crew comfort of a CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit) in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit) would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.