An Awesome 1979 Alden 44

Gammon is a two-owner 1979 Alden 44 that has clearly been well maintained her whole life. Designed by legend John Alden and built by Tillotson Pearson, she is the centerboard model, making her ideal for shallow water cruising.

She has benefitted from several smart upgrades, including all new electronics and nagivation, mostly Garmin, in 2015. Her forward V berth was converted to a double berth, and she received all new opening ports at the same time. She was repowered with a 63hp Westerbeke in 1998, and a new electrical system and refrigeration in 2015.

The Alden 44s are a much sought after cruiser on the used market. As Sail magazine describes them, “Classy, sleek and beautiful are words typically heard when admirers first encounter the Alden 44.  This yacht exudes power and style with a cutter rig, long graceful sheer, teak decks and quality hardware. The open cockpit is roomy enough for an intimate cocktail party of six during calm weather but designed to keep sailors warm and dry in a pounding sea. 

For traditionalists, the Alden 44 is a dream yacht, well proportioned overall, slender at the beam, sturdily built, big enough to sleep eight, seaworthy and especially pretty.”

Although a quarter century has elapsed since the last Alden 44 was constructed, the yacht regularly appears on lists compiling the top-20 offshore sailboats. Evidently the term “built to Alden standards” still has meaning. Gammon appears to be fine example. Listed at $165K, she currently lies in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.