1981 Frers F&C 44 CB

This Frers F&C 44 CB carries the kind of proportions you don’t see often anymore: a powerful hull, fine entry, and a ketch rig that keeps sail handling civilized in a blow. The centerboard lets you slip into snug anchorages while still enjoying real upwind bite with the board down. Below, the layout feels purposeful and seamanlike, with proper sea berths, solid grab points, and ventilation that actually works at anchor. The joinery has that warm, hand-built feel—more ship than condo. On deck, the cockpit is deep and protected, winch placement is sensible for short-handed sailing, and there’s enough storage for real cruising gear, not just dock lines and fenders.

A Frers F&C 44 CB makes particular sense in this cruising area, where depths and conditions can change dramatically between open water and tucked-away harbors. The centerboard gives you the flexibility to nose into shallow coves, yet still track and point respectably offshore. The ketch rig lets you break sail area into manageable chunks, ideal when afternoon squalls or frontal passages roll through. Robust tankage and a seakindly hull shape suit longer hops between ports, while the comfortable interior turns weather days into something you can actually enjoy. It’s a boat that feels equally at home slipping along the coast or stretching out on a bluewater passage.