Zeelander Z44 Review (2014 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Zeelander Z44 is the very first model that Zeelander launched back in 2008. Even though this particular example is a 2014 boat, you can still trace the bloodline right through to the current Zeelander 5. They began as very elegant machines and, while the designs have been refined over time, this one still looks every bit the desirable object it was when new.

The transom is a clever bit of design. There’s a cut-out section that rolls back to form the bathing platform. Step over the top, drop down onto the platform, and you’re straight at the water. With it closed up, though, the lines are wonderfully clean.

A stainless steel rail sweeps right around the aft end has cleats built directly into it - the kind of neat engineering Zeelander has kept and polished in later boats. The exterior is kept very low profile, coupe-like rather than towering, but there are plenty of handrails set about the place as you make your way forward.

On top you’ll spot the sliding roof, radar, satellite dome, antennas, and even a FLIR camera on this example. At the bow, a discreet little searchlight is fitted, and looking back from here you really see how the whole shape just works. From every angle, it's still a boat that turns heads.

Semi-Enclosed Cockpit

The cockpit flows straight through into the wheelhouse. Originally, there would have been a U-shaped seating area at the aft end, but on this boat it’s been removed, possibley for so the area can be used for sports fishing, wanting to get right to the back and around the sides. You could always reinstate that seating if you wanted, of course.

Engines live under the cockpit sole, which we’ll get to later, and there’s an isinglass panel system that zips in here so you can close the space off if the weather turns. Storage is well thought through – lockers under the floor swallow canopies and boat gear, and tucked beneath the counter you’ll find a sink, a bin, and a fridge.

The forward part of the cockpit offers more seating around a table that folds out to double its size. The helm seat can swivel back to join it, so you end up with a proper sociable dinette. Overhead, the sliding roof opens right up. At the helm itself, you’ve got twin Garmin screens, Volvo Penta instrumentation, an IPS joystick, and even a Fusion stereo system.

What really shines through, though, is the craftsmanship. The woodwork is beautifully formed - the grain runs in sweeping curves, the finish feels rich and tactile. It’s exactly how Zeelander set out their stall from day one.

Head below and you’re greeted by a nice wooden door which closes off the companionway. Down here, the dinette sits forward, complete with a drop-down table and infill cushion so it can convert into an occasional berth. A big overhead hatch allows light in, and again the grain of the wood flows in long unbroken lines.  

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin is really the only dedicated cabin on board aside from the convertible dinette forward. It’s a double berth set low in the hull, very much in keeping with the Z44’s coupe style. Because the boat itself is so sleek and low, you do lose a bit of headroom down here, but that’s the trade-off for having a profile that looks this good.

The cabinetry is beautifully curved, the wood grain is carefully matched, and there’s also a TV tucked in so you can wind down properly. For overnighting it works absolutely fine – no problem at all for a couple to spend weekends aboard, but if you’re looking to pack in as many berths as possible, this probably isn’t your boat. To be fair, most owners run these as very stylish dayboats with the occasional night away, and the cabin suits that role perfectly.

Lift the cockpit floor with the push of a button and up she rises, revealing a neatly laid out engine bay. This one carries a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 600s, 435hp each, which will push the Z44 to about 32-34 knots flat out. Settle her at 25 knots and you’re looking at a very comfortable cruising speed with a range of around 400 nautical miles.

It’s not just the engines down here either. The generator sits on one side, there’s the air-conditioning unit tucked to starboard, bilge pumps centrally mounted, and the raw water intakes for the engines within easy reach. It’s all the usual engine room stuff, but done with the same sense of order you see elsewhere on the boat. Even the deck drains are styled, which feels very Zeelander – turning something functional into a design detail.

The Z44 is designed first and foremost as a dayboat and short-range weekender. Its low, sleek lines, open cockpit, and sociable layout are perfect for coastal cruising, harbour hopping, and spending the day anchored off a bay with friends. It’s not built for long-distance passagemaking or extended stays at sea, but for Mediterranean waters, the Hamptons, or summer days along the Riviera, it’s absolutely in its element.

For a 44-footer with IPS drives, the Z44 is a very approachable ownership prospect. The twin IPS 600s are widely used and well proven, giving you efficiency, joystick precision around the dock, and decent cruising economy. A 25-knot passage feels easy and unstrained, with range enough for coastal runs.

Running costs are what you’d expect for this size of boat - fuel, servicing on the Volvos and generator, and the usual IPS maintenance. But the real investment with a Zeelander isn’t just in the mechanics. It’s in keeping the style pristine. The paint finish is a major part of the boat’s identity, and it needs the right care to keep that deep colour shining. The upholstery, the isinglass panels, the polished wood – all need a bit of love to maintain.

In terms of market value, well-kept examples of the Z44 tend to command strong prices. Recent listings for 2012–2014 boats have ranged from the mid-$600,000s, up to $800,000, reflecting both the limited supply and the desirability of the model. Two interesting rivals to consider would be the Riva Rivamare - another highly styled 40-footer with a focus on glamour, day use, and Mediterranean cruising – and the Palm Beach PB42, which brings Aussie design, open social spaces, and a similar emphasis on style.

Space is limited below decks, so if you’re looking for a yacht to spend weeks away on board, this isn’t the answer. But that’s not what the Z44 is really about. What you do get is a boat that still looks absolutely stunning years after launch. Most importantly, this was the boat that launched the Zeelander name, and for everything that followed.