Wajer Yachts in The Netherlands just announced that it’s making a new, high-tech 44 couples’ cruiser. The first is due to be launched this summer. Wajer says it’s already sold 20 of them.
The lines for the new Wajer were drawn by Van Oossanen Naval Architects, and the boat has a deep-V hull with a 21-degree deadrise at the transom for maximum performance. With twin 480-hp Volvo IPS650 pod drives, top speed is 40 knots, and the range is about 300 nm at a cruising speed of 26 knots.
The boat uses Wajer’s Smart Boating concept, where owners use the company’s app to connect remotely and operate many of the boat’s functions. If an owner wants to have a picnic on a beach, for example, he or she can use the app to check on the anchor’s position, to set the air conditioning, or raise or lower the swim platform.
“The Wajer 44 is not only state-of-the-art in terms of design, but also in terms of connectivity,” says Dries Wajer, the company’s managing director. “As an owner, you can view all data in the Wajer app and operate your boat remotely, no matter where you are.”
A family company, Wajer was founded in 1992 in the Friesland area of northern Holland. It makes its boats by hand, so that no two are exactly the same and owners can customize their own vessel.
The clean, minimalist design and sheer line of the new 44 are similar to those on the successful 77. The swing-over anchor arm retracts fully into its hatch at the touch of a button, so it doesn’t interrupt the visual flow of the hull.
For weekend, or longer, cruising, the interior of the Wajer 44 has a double bed that can be transformed into a sitting area with a dining table. It has a head and shower and a mini-galley with a sink, fridge, ice machine and coffee maker.
The fore and aft decks are major sunning areas, where the backrests have ergonomically designed supports. The stern has enough space to hold the usual water toys.
At the helm, Garmin screens are flush mounted while the captain controls the boat with a custom Wajer-designed steering wheel or Volvo’s IPS joystick. There are three carbon-shelled seats for the captain and passengers.
Wajer got some news in the U.S. three years ago when Tom Brady, the GOAT quarterback, bought a Wajer 55 for $2 million after he moved to Tampa Bay. A year later, he moved up, spending $6 million for a Wajer 77.
Specs.: LOA: 42’9”; Beam: 13’1”; Draft: 3’6”; Disp.: 25,200 lbs.; Fuel: 317 gals.; Water: 76 gals.; Power: 2×480-hp Volvo IPS650 pod drives. Read more at http://wajer.com and see the video below:
