Van Gorkom Unveils New EXP44 Aluminum Pilothouse Cutter
Van Gorkom Yacht Design has released details of a new cruising yacht currently on the drawing board—a modern 44-foot aluminum pilothouse cutter built for long-range, liveaboard sailing. Dubbed the EXP44, the boat is being positioned as an “expedition-style” cruising yacht that blends robust construction, offshore performance, and innovative sail handling systems with an efficient, customizable interior layout.
Designed for bluewater sailing, the EXP44 features a chined aluminum hull built to ABS and ISO structural standards, with 5086 aluminum plating and 6061 extrusions. Construction will utilize pre-cut parts and a modular “Erector Set” approach to streamline production. The team behind the project is aiming to partner with a skilled local builder for limited-run, semi-production builds.
The cutter rig features a 95% jib, a staysail, and a main, all optimized for push-button handling from the cockpit. With roller furlers on the headsails and a Harken captive reel mainsheet system, the EXP44 offers a conservative but flexible sail plan suitable for shorthanded crews. Performance figures include a SA/D of 21.4 and a Displacement/Length ratio of 135—suggesting a well-mannered, capable passagemaker.
The keel arrangement is a standout feature: a solid steel centerboard pivots hydraulically from within a shallow fin, offering a minimum draft of just 4 feet and a maximum of nearly 10 feet. Combined with twin skegs that double as rudder protection and grounding support, the boat can stand upright on the hard—ideal for high-latitude or remote-region sailors.
Below, a raised pilothouse allows for panoramic views and weather-protected navigation. The standard interior offers a two-cabin, two-head layout with a raised salon, convertible dinette, and ample storage throughout. Design flexibility allows for additions like a workshop, washer/dryer space, or dedicated nav station.
Auxiliary power is provided by an 80hp Yanmar with Sail Drive, supported by 200 gallons of fuel and a 9.5kW generator. A 500Ah lithium battery bank and optional solar integration support house loads. Potable water capacity is 120 gallons, with an option to swap tankage for a watermaker.
No timeline for construction or hull number one has been publicly announced, but Van Gorkom says interest from expedition cruisers and long-range sailors is already building.
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