Cherubini 44 Cutter, METEOR

Broker’s Comments

Cherubini 44 Cutter, METEOR is not only a very elegant yacht with stunning lines, she is also a truly capable bluewater cruising yacht. The yacht has enjoyed a number of significant pit stops throughout her life, combined with continuous care and updating along the way. From her well laid out deck and cutter rig, to the seaman like and comfortable interior – METEOR ticks the box as an offshore yacht but for those with a yearning for classic lines.

Owner’s Comments

Cherubini 44 Cutter, METEOR was designed and built in the spirit of tradition to balance the aesthetic and performance of L. Francis Herreshoff’s Ticonderoga with modern construction methodology and equipment. Our experience sailing METEOR on the Eastern Seaboard, in the Bahamas, to Europe and the UK, has confirmed the fact that they have succeeded in meeting their objectives. She is the high performing, strong, and comfortable yacht that we expected. Her versatile cutter rig provides a variety of sailing configurations, and we have found that she is well balanced and surprisingly swift. Her full keel and clipper bow contribute to a gentle easy motion in most any sea as we have experienced in several major ocean passages, and her low freeboard, and the resulting low windage, have been favourable both underway and at anchor, as well as providing easy boarding from a dinghy.

What we didn’t expect from METEOR is how she turns heads everywhere we go.

People are drawn to her good looks, her nod to a long lineage of maritime design, her sleek, beautiful sheer, low freeboard, sexy tumblehome, and classic wineglass stern. As they get closer, they spy the bronze electroplated Anderson winches, the keyhole cockpit, the brightwork and the traditional wheel. Then, the more technical among them notice the sailing platform. The strength and performance in the Selden cutter rig, the modern mechanical equipment to sail her and power her, the bow thruster that gives us excellent manoeuvrability in close quarters, and the full keel below the waterline that ensures directional stability and a comfortable ride at sea.

When they see the interior, they are struck by the warmth of the space with its cherry wood panelling, the spacious and efficient layout, and the amount of light that pours in from the ports and hatches throughout the cabin, and especially from the elegant butterfly hatch at midships.

METEOR has been well loved by those who have had the privilege of owning her, and this is apparent in the daily care and maintenance, and various rig, mechanical and interior refits undertaken in keeping her “Bristol”, ensuring many more years of adventures for her future owners.

Interior Overview

Before walking you through the vessel, know that it isn’t representative of a conventional interior design. This is not your typical asymmetrical layout. Instead, the layout is akin to a traditional working vessel which avails of pilot berths as an arrangement to maximize shared space. And this is not your modern single deckhouse design either. Instead, it is a 75:25 split aft and forward deckhouse similar again to a traditional working vessel intended to capitalize on the added strength of deck cross beams between the two. While based on the principles of a strong traditional working vessel, make no mistake – METEOR is a yacht. The aft deckhouse contains the owner’s pilot berth, nav station, galley, port and starboard pilot berths and settee. The forward deckhouse contains the head and separate shower.

Sleeping arrangement provide an owner’s double pilot berth immediately entering the aft deckhouse and single pilot berths, port and starboard midships. Sleeping 4, dropping the saloon table provides for an additional 1-2 persons for a maximum of 6. Realistically, 4 is comfortable and 6 would be tight.

Interior Walkthrough

Stepping down into the aft deckhouse, you have the nav station, electrical panel, and owner’s double berth. To starboard, the nav station features a hinged surface that opens into a space large enough to contain a full chart kit and space for additional aids to navigation such as an iPad/laptop and reference books. As well to starboard, the electrical panel and other instruments are located immediately adjacent the nav station. The forward facing nav seat provides a secure watch position with easy access to the cockpit and sight of all panel and instrumentation information. To port, the owner’s double berth is a pilot berth style and is adjacent to the nav station. This arrangement provides the owner with full situational awareness. The aft deckhouse contains a full-size chart drawer and ample drawer and deep cupboard storage space. Two working portholes, one on port and one on starboard provide ventilation in addition to the companionway. Access to the engine is provided via a removable panel behind the stairs. The nav station/owner’s berth area is separated from the remaining cabin by a bulkhead with a door.

Stepping forward through the doorway, the u-shaped galley is to port and a sofa bench, cabinet and raised pilot berth is to starboard. The galley has front entry fridge, gimbled electric stove, double sinks, fresh (both electric and manual) water, and seawater facets and extensive storage. Just forward of the galley and adjacent to the starboard positioned settee is another raised pilot berth to port. Ventilation is provided by two hatches, eight portholes, two cowl vents, and a working skylight. Ample storage space is found throughout, including a wine cabinet for securing bottles and glasses. This area is separated from the forward deckhouse by a bulkhead and door as well as an underdeck breezeway which contains a full-length locker to port and linen storage to starboard.

Forward of the underdeck breezeway, now in the forward deckhouse is a spacious head. This area is accessible from the deck with its own companionway via foldable steps. Forward of the head, separated by a bulkhead with a door is a large shower with ample port and starboard storage. Ventilation is provided by two portholes and a companionway hatch. Forward of the shower, accessible from a removable panel in the shower and as well from a deck hatch is the forepeak. The chain locker is forward of the forepeak and accessible from deck.

Comments on Electrical Capacity

Unconventional for a small yacht is the electrical capacity both in storage and in generation. Primarily, the storage capacity provides for extended times between needing to charge while the generation capacity provides for simultaneous heavy draws. While the generator is required when cooking, the attribute of electric versus propane is an uninterrupted source, eliminating chasing down propane re-fills/canisters, their storage, and the various regulator converters needed while cruising. From an insurance perspective, not having propane on board is a positive. We have found that the generator use during evening meal preparation keeps the batteries at levels 80% and higher.

Comments on Sailing Performance

METEOR has a tall rig and larger sail area facilitated by her bowsprit, extending the sail capacity from a LOD of 44’ to LOA of 50’. This equates to great performance upwind in both moderate and light winds. Strong winds require reefing which is easily facilitated by the mainsail three reef points and robust roller furling on both headsails. Aided by an efficient Brunton prop, METEOR is fast and realizing 8 knots is a regular occurrence. Accepted in the spirit of tradition class, METEOR has raced Antiqua Classics on more than one occasion.

Comments on Overall Capability

Overall, METEOR is equipped in all respects as a larger vessel with extended capacity and stronger capabilities. No wonder she has numerous trans-Atlantic crossings under her belt and thousands of miles cruising – she is fast with excellent performance, she is safe with more than half-a-dozen trans-Atlantic crossings, and she is simply beautiful. We have found that METEOR draws admirers soon-to-be and new friends and becomes the center of attention wherever she is.