HH44 Named One of SAIL Magazine’s 2024 Top Ten Best Boats

We are thrilled to announce another exciting accolade for the HH44, SAIL Magazine’s Best Boats Top 10! From the editor of SAIL: Of all the boats presented this year, none put sustainable sailing as far in the forefront as HH with its new 44. CEO Paul Hakes says he wanted to “really revolutionize our boat, make it different, a special part of the future,” and according to HH execs, the buyers for this sleek bluewater cat are at least as interested in this mission as in its cruising capabilities. This effort centers around the boat’s EcoDrive, a hybrid diesel electric system whose backbone is a 43.2 KwH 48V lithium battery bank fed in part by a whopping 4,232-watt solar array on the cabintop. Commitment to that array meant the twin helms had to be in the cockpit rather than up top, and HH put a lot of thought into maintaining good sailhandling and visibility from here, including carbon fiber wheels on easily manipulated swing helms that let you steer from multiple positions. During a test sail off Annapolis, even under less-than-optimum delivery sails, this boat was a lively ride, turning out 10 knots of boatspeed in true wind of about 17 knots and an AWA of 47; but its real strength, we’re told, is light air performance, frequently sailing at windspeed in 6-10 knots of breeze. “Performance-oriented cruising on the 44 holds the promise of sailing quickly through even the lightest of winds, but just in case, HH includes a hybrid powering package that adds value not only on the sustainability front, but in its ability to silently maneuver under power,” Adam says. Adds Zuzana, " The 44 remains true to its HH family aesthetics and performance cruising and brings both down to the mid-40-foot market where it's sure to find an eager audience." That it looks screaming fast standing still is a bonus. (Watch the walkthrough video here.)