As Hull #3 of just 60 Catalina Morgan 440 Deck Salon yachts ever built, Chasing Sunsets carries the bragging rights of a low hull number in a limited production run — a distinction prized among serious sailors. Designed by Gerry Douglas, the CM440 combined exclusivity with pedigree from the start. Upon launch, it was awarded Cruising World’s “Boat of the Year – Best Production Cruiser 40–45’” (2005) and garnered praise for blending comfort, seaworthiness, and usability.
In Sailing Magazine’s field test, veteran sailor John Kretschmer lauded the 440’s balance — a design that sails as a true cruising boat rather than a weekend toy. As he put it, “The 440’s hull shape is meant for blue water, it is not a weekend warrior masquerading as an offshore boat.”
Kretschmer, who has logged over 300,000 offshore miles and completed more than 20 ocean crossings, also highlighted its quality and livability: “There is no disputing that the 440 will be a very accommodating boat. However, what impressed me during our SAILING Magazine Boat Test is how well the sailing systems are laid out, how nimble the boat was underway and the overall high quality of fit and finish.”
