New Boat: Schaefer V44
Lines, build quality and ride. If you ask Nils Kah, the CEO of Schaefer Yachts, what stands out about the V44 when you compare it to everything else you can find on the market, it’s these three qualities that make her shine.
The V44 is the newest model in the V-series line up, which Schaefer started back in 2021. With optional triple 600-horsepower outboards that give her a 52-plus knot speed (or an alternative IPS 600 sterndrive will take you to roughly 40 knots), she’ll likely have similar performance to that of the V33, however the difference will be in the spaciousness.
“We have a friend who’s 6 foot 4 and he fits in the V33,” Kah says, also pointing out that another friend of an employee, who’s 6 foot 8 inches tall, can stand up straight in their 375 model. “I’m not 100 percent sure how that’s going to be in the V44 but if it’s in the same range then I guess we will have outstanding head room.”
Not only will headroom likely be a plus, she’s also a dayboat that comfortably sleeps four. A twin berth-equipped stateroom is adjacent to the head with a separate shower, while the ample-sized cabin area has a settee that doubles as a berth. Across from that seating is a small, but effective galley, which will come standard with electric grill and sink.
The beam of the 44 is 14 feet, however even more space is added on when you let down the hydraulic fold-out gunwales on each side, which are 8 feet in length, transforming the single level cockpit into a beach club. And with the V44’s semi-enclosed pilothouse and cockpit seating, there’s plenty of room for about seven of your friends to join. With a small table between two benches to make a comfortable dinette, and a sunpad in the rear and bow of the boat, you can see why Kah describes this vessel as a classic Miami/South Florida boat.
What helps Schaefer guarantee a high-quality build is the fact that they own the biggest 5-axis CNC machine in South America, allowing the team do all the plugs and molds themselves—this allows for accuracy in the production of all parts involved in the boat building process. All major parts are vacuum infused resulting in lightweight and sturdy vessels that provide a comfortable and safe experience underway. In addition to this, the company’s woodwork is done entirely inhouse, which allows for strong attention to detail and refinement.
And it’s this quality, along with well-crafted design, that allows Schaefer to boast that their boats are made to ride in harsh conditions while still providing a smooth and comfortable ride. And while it’s merely speculation at this point, the V44 could likely be offered in a fishing version, following in the V33’s path.
“I didn’t know that with the V33, when we started, that we were eventually going to have a fishing version, that is going to be the same with the V44?” Kah ponders (Fun fact—Kah also points out that there’s not a single person in Brazil, the builder’s location, that fishes recreationally; everyone just buys their fish at the market). “I don’t know, I cannot tell at this point, I will find it surprising if we do a fishing version of the V44 because it’s so big and luxurious, but you see HCB’s 50 footers and they’ve got rocket launchers, so I don’t know, let’s see.”
Schaefer V44 Specifications:
LOA: 44’9”
Beam: 13’9”
Draft: 13’9”
Fuel: 435 gal.
Water: 70 gal.
Power: 3/600-hp Mecurys
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Source: https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/outboard/schaefer-v44-boat-review
