This fall Outbound Yachts is celebrating it 25th Anniversary since the launch of their first boat, the Outbound 44. The Carl Schumacher design was introduced in 1999 and was immediately recognizable as the epitome of finely-built performance cruiser.
The 44 has a lean hull with a long waterline and moderate beam. Under the water she has cruising fin keel and a balanced spade rudder. The hull design provides for a comfortable and easy motion even in a rolling seas with above average cruising speeds.
It is not unusual to see a 44 sailing at 8+ knots and bursts of speed to 10 knots will happen in the right conditions. Yet, the hull and appendages are so well balanced that the helm remains light as long as the sails are trimmed correctly and this enables an autopilot to steer effortlessly and accurately over the long haul. All of this is important when heading over the horizon on a long passage.
The double headsail rig gives you many sail combinations all of which can be handled from the cockpit. The 44 can be rigged with a slab-reefed mainsail that has reefing lines led back to the cockpit. With lazy jacks and a stack pack, this will be the fool proof option.
But, you can also have an in-mast roller furling mainsail. While the rolling system can create jams, the current generation of roller furling masts and the expertise of sailmakers makes mainsail jams rare. Adding vertical battens to the sail will allow the sailmaker to give the sail some roach that enhances performance. Handling an in-mast main is a cinch for single watch keeper.
One of the hallmarks of the 44 was its seagoing cockpit. With winches in the right places and a good dodger and Bimini, you can stand watches in bad weather in comfort. Outbound also developed a hard dodger for the boat that doubles down on cockpit comfort.
The original design had a small aft step built into the transom. After a few 44s were built, owners asked them to extend the step and turn it into a full sugar scoop swim platform. This became the Outbound 46.
Built in China, Outbounds have always had traditional teak interiors with hand-crafted joinery, louvered cabinet doors and teak and holly soles. Finished in matte varnish, the whole interior exudes yacht-style and warmth.
Because the 44 was intended to be cruised extensively, plenty of storage space is provided and there is ample room for adding a water maker, extra batteries, an additional freezer and other conveniences.
The reintroduction of the Outbound 44 puts a great blue water boat that has proven itself of hundreds of thousands of sea miles in the reach of a wider audience of potential buyers. The price has been kept a low as possible considering quality and the fact that each boat is built on a semi-custom basis. If you are ready to go, the Outbound 44 is ready to take you there.
