1984 DeFever 44 Offshore Cruiser – Proven, Practical, and Ready for the Next Chapter

This 1984 DeFever 44 Offshore Cruiser is a classic long-range trawler designed by the legendary Arthur DeFever—renowned for building safe, seaworthy vessels that continue to attract knowledgeable cruisers worldwide. This particular hull has logged thousands of nautical miles through Central America, the Caribbean, and the Great Loop. I owned her from 2013 to 2018, and I've known her since then. She's now offered for sale on behalf of her current owner, a retired physician who made the difficult decision to part with her due to unforeseen health issues.

Built on a solid fiberglass hull with a deep full-length keel and protected running gear, this DeFever 44 is exceptionally capable in open water. Her displacement hull, paired with Naiad stabilizers, ensures a stable and comfortable ride, as well as impressive fuel economy on extended cruises.

Key Features:

The galley-up layout keeps the cook part of the conversation in the spacious salon.

Full-beam aft master stateroom with island queen berth, ensuite head, and abundant storage

Forward guest stateroom with V-berth and adjacent head

Walk-in engine room with nearly stand-up headroom—rare for boats this size

Expansive flybridge with excellent visibility and generous seating

Large covered aft deck, ideal for relaxing, entertaining, or carrying gear

Expansive, secure walk-around decks—a hallmark of DeFever design

Stabilized with Naiad fins for offshore comfort

Whether you're planning to live aboard, cruise the Great Loop, or head off to explore the islands, this DeFever 44 delivers the kind of comfort, durability, and pedigree few boats in this size range can match.

DeFever owners form a tight-knit, active online community, and with good reason—these boats are built to be used and appreciated. This is an excellent opportunity to own one of Arthur DeFever's most beloved designs at a very reasonable price.

• Teak wood deck
• Magma barbeque grill
• Transom gate with stainless steel boarding & swim ladder
• Mounts for spare anchors

• Garmin chart plotter
• Garmin Radar dome
• Still helm seat
• NEMA 2000 backbone network
• Deck storage box
• Windless controls
• Fiberglass deck storage for (2) propane tanks

• Salon with a height-adjustable custom table with folding leaves
• Full-size door to the aft deck
• Sliding doors on the port and starboard side of the lower helm
• L-shaped settee with storage underneath

• Microwave
• Princess 3-burner stove/oven (Propane)
• Cold plate refrigerator and freezer
• Corian counter tops and sink
• Digital AC control for Galley and Salon

• Walk around the centerline queen-size berth.
• Night stands
• Digital AC control for the aft cabin
• Ensuite head and shower
• Storage lockers

• Comfortable V-berth
• Port lights
• Hanging locker
• Storage drawers and cabinets
• Ensuite head
• Overhead hatch
• Berth reading lights

• Twin Lehman 120 naturally aspirated engines
• Northern Light 12KW generator
• Cruiseair reverse cycle air conditioning units (3)
• Groco seastrainers
• Racor 900FG fuel filters with T-Handles
• Water heater
• Gulf Coast fuel polishing system for continuous fuel polishing, dockside and underway
• The fuel transfer manifold connects all three tanks and the fuel polishing system.
• Shurflow water system pump

• Batteries - Hopuse bank
• Batteries - Engine start
• Inverter
• Battery charger
• Battery monitor
• Shore power inlet & cable
• Dinghy lift/crane
• Northern Lights Generator

• Galley Maid windless - foot control and upper helm controls
• Boat hooks
• Fiberglass swim platform with stainless steel swim ladder
• Fresh water wash down
• Anchors

• Rule automatic bilge pumps (3) with high water alarms
• Flares gun kit
• Macon overboard throw ring
• Multiple life jacketskets