Super roomy Aft cabin, excellent weekender on the Bay away from the Desert.
Overview and Reputation
The Trojan 44 Motor Yacht, part of the F-series, was produced during a time when Trojan Yachts, then owned by the Whittaker Corporation, was a major player in the American boat-building industry. These vessels were known for offering a tremendous amount of interior space and creature comforts for their price point, making them popular choices for families and those looking for a capable coastal cruiser or liveaboard vessel. While not always considered in the same top-tier as builders like Hatteras or Viking, Trojans were respected for their solid construction and practical, user-friendly designs. Today, they are regarded as classic aft-cabin cruisers that represent a good value on the used market, provided one can find a well-maintained example.
Design and Layout
The standout feature of the Trojan 44MY is its spacious and well-planned interior, made possible by its wide 14'11" beam. The layout was designed for comfort and privacy, making it suitable for extended stays.
Aft-Cabin Design: The signature feature is a large, full-beam master stateroom aft. This stateroom typically includes a double or queen-sized bed, ample storage with hanging lockers and drawers, and a private ensuite head (bathroom), often with a separate shower stall.
Main Salon: Amidships, the main salon serves as the primary living area. It is generally large and open, with large windows providing excellent natural light. The salon is often on the same level as the aft deck, creating a flowing entertainment space.
Galley and Dinette: Most 44MY models feature a "galley-down" layout, where the kitchen and a convertible dinette are located a few steps down from the main salon. This separates cooking and dining from the main living space.
Forward Stateroom: A guest cabin is located in the bow (forecastle), typically with V-berths and its own access to a second head, which also serves as the day head. This two-stateroom, two-head layout was ideal for cruising with another couple or family.
Flybridge and Aft Deck: The flybridge provides a complete upper helm station with good visibility and guest seating. Below the flybridge, an enclosed or semi-enclosed aft deck (often called a "sundeck") serves as a prime spot for relaxing and entertaining, effectively acting as an outdoor living room.
Construction and Build Quality
For its era, the Trojan 44MY featured conventional and robust construction.
Hull: The hull is a solid fiberglass, modified-V design with a hard chine. This design provides significant stability at rest and while cruising at moderate speeds.
Deck and Superstructure: The decks and cabin tops are typically built with a cored construction (using balsa or plywood core sandwiched between layers of fiberglass). This method reduces weight while maintaining stiffness. While effective, it is also the source of the most common issues on these boats today.
Interior: Trojan was known for using a good amount of teak wood joinery and cabinetry, giving the interiors a warm, traditional nautical feel that was popular in the 1970s.
Performance and Handling
The Trojan 44MY is a heavy displacement cruiser, not a high-speed vessel. Its performance is best described as stately and comfortable.
Handling: The modified-V hull provides a stable ride in calm to moderate seas. However, like many aft-cabin cruisers of its vintage, it can be prone to a wet ride and some pounding when heading into a steep chop. It is most comfortable cruising at semi-displacement speeds.
Speed: Performance depends heavily on the engine package. Models fitted with diesel engines, such as the Cummins have a typical cruising speed is around 12-15 knots, with a top speed approaching 17-18 knots.
