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

More pics & info...

'Firefly', a CSY 44 Walkover for Sale

This one has been sold, but the ad remains available for anyone wishing for more pics and info on these 44' Caribbean Sailing Yachts...

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.