TheFjord 44 will be provided by the Hanse Group in two versions built. Once as an Open and, like our test boat, as a Coupé. While the Open is built by aT-top open all round The Coupé's driving position, the row of seats behind it, a pantry block plus a U-shaped seating area with table are covered and surrounded by a glass superstructure.This provides plenty of light and a clear view in all directions, including upwards.
And in the dark, numerous LED lights illuminate the interior and exterior of the boat in up to six selectable colours.
With theSunroof above the driver's cab and the side windows, each of which is very easy to operate electrically, plus the manually operated large sliding side doors and a spacious aft entrance, there is plenty of space for a very cosy and comfortable stay.Good air supply taken care of. If that's not enough, there is also an air conditioning system.
Both boats are identical below deck. To the left of the driving position, a small companionway leads down to the living area, where a fairly large cabin opens up to the observer. The view falls onto a
attractive double bedflanked by cabin walls with slit windows and integrated portholes. The ceiling is adorned withSkylights including escape hatchwhich can be covered by various roller blinds.
However, if the sun cushions are on the cabin roof, neither air nor light have a chance of penetrating the cabin from above.
Between the companionway and the separate bathroom on the starboard side, once you have passed through the small passageway, there is either a large storage space or, as in the test boat, a sleeping cabin for two adults for an extra charge. The shipyard does not like to refer to this as a cabin, but rathercasually calls it "plus one"because the headroom is severely restricted due to the positioning under the driver's cab and cabin superstructure. The spacious bathroom is equipped with everything you need: Shower cubicle, washbasin and appropriately sized toilet. TheFeel-good factor below deck right.
The test boat is equipped withtwo Volvo Penta IPS600 each of whose diesels deliver 435 hp to the water by means of pod drives. In the standard version, there are two IPS500s with 370 hp each. A joystick is always fitted as standard, which can be used to drive the boat in any direction at low speed, making mooring or casting off manoeuvres considerably easier.
On boats with IPS drives, the foredeck always lifts a little further out of the water due to the system. For this reason, the trim tabs on our test boat should also be used during sailing and when starting off in favour of foresight. Otherwise, the trim tabs in automatic mode ensure the optimum boat position, which is particularly noticeable in crosswinds.
The 44 Coupé is moored at the south-western tip of Mallorca in the harbour of Port Adriano, with a decent sea in front of the harbour - perfect waters to see how the deep V-hull behaves: rather calm and safe, no wild movements, no banging. Sailing against the wind and waves, there is only a little spray, which is absolutely normal.
For the test, I set course to starboard, pass through the passage at Es Malgrat and head for Cala Fornells to take the measurements in calmer waters.
The engines do not quite reach the maximum speed specified by the manufacturer, which the shipyard justifies with a slightly unclean underwater hull and therefore only allows a maximum speed of 35 kn instead of 36 kn. After analysing the measurement data, the 44 test coupé cruises economically at 25 kn. One tank of fuel is theoretically sufficient for a distance of 185 nm plus 15% reserve.
At full throttle, the range is only slightly less at 179 nm. However, both values do not fulfil the minimum range of 270 nm required by BOOTE.
As far as the extreme manoeuvres at full speed are concerned, they are all moderate, as the IPS keep the turning angles of the drives rather low. My instruments show a diameter of 300 metres for the full circle at full speed, which means that if you want to go tighter, you have to ease off the throttle.
In terms of acoustics, our sound pressure level meter shows no more than 79 dB/A at cruising speed and up to 82 dB/A at full throttle in the cockpit. That's really something to be "heard".
The skipper sits between two co-drivers and has everything in view and under control in front of a control station on which, in addition to an analogue compass
analogue compass, monitors show everything you need to know about the sailing area, course, boat and engines.
A rarity on boats of this size and therefore aBig safety plus point is an emergency stop switch (quick stop) on the control stand.
The engine compartment has two separate access points: one in the saloon and the other aft in front of the cockpit bench seat. This benefits service work overall. While a ladder at the front of the saloon makes it easier to get in and out, access at the rear is more difficult. The manufacturer has also recognised this problem and intends to retrofit a climbing aid in the future. Once down, there's no feeling of unease and everything is within easy reach.
As far as the safety requirements demanded by BOOTE are concerned, our test boat has only one weakness. The criticism is levelled at the open stern on both sides, which does not stop children, cones or dogs.
Fjord builds extravagant boats and equips them ready to sail. The shipyard also fills niches and tries to fulfil particularly unusual customer wishes with an extensive equipment list.
CONCLUSION
The cabin superstructure also makes the Fjord 44 Coupé interesting for the north. Apart from that, the 44 Coupé fulfils all the requirements for having fun on the water and also for spending the night with four people. She is an all-rounder, so to speak.
