Schaefer Yachts V44 (2024-)

• Vacuum infused hull, isophthalic gelcoat, vinyl ester resin skin coat
• Fiberglass hardtop w/LED lights
• Glass windshield
• Dual hydraulic side balconies
• Three bolstered helm seats
• Fixed swim platform w/stainless swim ladder and transom shower
• Bow chaise/sunbed
• Cabin w/forward V-berth and twin-berth mid-ship w/filler cushion
• Galley w/refrigerator, Silestone® countertop w/sink and faucet, microwave, 2 burner electric stove, storage
• Separate head w/sink, faucet, electric head w/macerator, enclosed separate shower, holding tank
• Electric trim tabs
• 60A galvanic isolator
• Hot water system

• Outboard power options include:
  • 3 x 400-hp Mercury Verado V10 w/Joystick
  • 3 x 600-hp Mercury Verado V12 w/Joystick
• Volvo inboard diesel power options include:
  • 2 x D6-400 EVC DPI w/Joystick,
  • 2 x D6-440 EVC DPI w/Joystick, 2 x IPS 600 D6, 2 x Volvo IPS 650 D6  
• Autopilot
• Joystick driving w/autopilot for high speed operation
• DPS (Dynamic Positioning System) for D6 engines
• Assisted Docking - Requires DPS
• Electronics package includes a choice of:
  • 2 x GPS Axiom 12" + Plotter + Sonar + VHF + Antenna + 7" engine display
  • 2 x GPS Simrad NSS12 evo3S + Plotter + Sonar + VHF + Antenna
  • 2 x GPS Simrad NSS16 evo3S + Plotter + Sonar + VHF + Antenna
  • 2 x GPS Garmin 12" + Plotter + Sonar + VHF + Antenna + Mercury SmartCraft Connect
  • 2 x Volvo Glass Cockpit 12"+ Plotter + Sonar + VHF + Antenna
  • 2 x Volvo Glass Cockpit 16"+ Plotter + Sonar + VHF + Antenna, closed dome radar
• Lumitec Razor light bar search light
• Bow thruster
• Vetus bow thruster w/Mercury JPO integration
• Fusion or JL sound system w/10 speakers, amp, subwoofer
• Cockpit A/C
• Cockpit refrigerator, icemaker
• Hydraulic swim platform w/inboards engines only
• Aft electric awning
• Bow shade
• Seakeeper 3 gyro stabilizer
• Reverso engine flush system for outboards
• Teak decks

From bow to stern, the Schaefer V44 is all about supplying comfort, safety, and superior amenities along with the company’s commitment to its owner base for delivering a well-built vessel that meets all its strict standards. 

As you would expect to find on a luxury boat of her class, and as we discovered during our walk-thru, the V44 offers lots of innovative and useful features making time out on the water a bit more convenient. And it starts here, in the bow.

The large anchor locker houses the windlass, chain and roller. What sets this apart from traditional methods is the distinctive catapult anchor system. Using a foot switch, the rode is brought in, lifting the catapult until it tips up a bit, then slowly drops it down, after which the anchor and chain gently deploys as our video shows. A fresh water rinse is located in a cabinet directly aft of the locker.

In designing and laying out the helm, Schaefer made sure it was both impressive to look at while performing its function as the command and control center of the V44. On both levels, it succeeded.

As there are two power options aboard the Schaefer V44, that being outboard or diesel inboards, a suitable space for each has been provided. Accessed via a large hatch just to port of the cockpit dining/seating area, and with or without the inboard engines option, there’s lot more room provided for equipment including the optional Seakeeper 3 gyro stabilizer.

The elegance and luxury aboard are heightened in the living space below decks. A sliding door, located on the left side of the helm console, gains entrance to and from this area. It is an open room concept, with a full galley, including a two-burner, induction stove top, sink, refrigerator, microwave and plenty of storage, dividing the full beam mid-cabin space from the forepeak quarters. Hidden privacy curtains are used for both spaces and storage abounds for those times during extended travel plans. The head, with separate stand-up shower, is located here as well. Quite noticeable is the fine fit-and-finish of all cabinetry and woodwork, something Schaefer does in-house and under the thorough supervision of its expert craftspeople and managers.

While Schaefer successfully took care of the aesthetics on the V44, the company also made sure she would excite her owners, along with their family and guests, with sparkling and exciting performance. To that end, whether choosing the triple outboards or dual diesel inboard power options, an exhilarating ride awaits a day out on the water, or during extended time traveling.

Our test boat was equipped with a trio of Mercury 400-hp V10 outboards, equipped with Mercury 19 pitch REV X props, on a day that saw the air temp at 73°, wind at 8 knots, and relative humidity at 75%. We calculated our test weight at 21,868 pounds with 60% fuel and three passengers.

We reached our top speed of 49.4 mph at 6500 rpm. When we knocked her down to 4500 rpm, we recorded a best cruise speed of 30.4 mph, giving her a range of about 300sm/260nm, with a 10% fuel reserve. During our out-of-the-hole runs, we clocked 0-10 mph in 2.7 seconds, 0-20 mph in 5.8 seconds, and 0-30 mph in 10.7 seconds. With both ZipWake and auto trim systems set on automatic, she quickly got up on plane and proved to be an agile performer while engaged in a series of s-turns and hard over maneuvers, leaning over nicely with no perceptible loss of speed, feeling solid underway, as well as tracking straight and true. 

After 31+ years, with 850 workers at three different factories, Schaefer Yachts has established itself as designing, engineering and building a quality product across its model lineup, of which the V44 is a perfect example.

The V44's spacious main deck features standard hydraulically-operated balconies to either side, wide walkarounds, exciting entertaining spaces and a large bow area. Coupled with living quarters presenting a unique and exceptional space, she can fulfill any owners needs for an exciting day out on the water or as a destination-bound traveling cruiser. 

With a long list of premium options, including an impressive lineup of engine options and an equally comprehensive list of standard features, your V44 will be a personal statement of ownership. 

Remember, life is better on a boat!