Fjord 44 Coupé, a Walkaround With a Glass Roof

Fjord 44 and the return of the Norwegian coupe

Most people searching for the Fjord 44 want this boat: the Fjord 44 Coupé, which made its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2018. Motor Boat and Yachting called it a return to the brand's roots. Before HanseYachts took over, Fjord built avant-garde coupes for the changeable weather of Scandinavia; under Hanse it became known for sunpad-covered, T-top open boats aimed at the Med. The 44 Coupé tries to marry the two.

The method was simple and cost-effective. Fjord took the hull, deck and engines of its 42 Open, a Patrick Banfield design that debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show, and fixed a glass-heavy deckhouse on top. Fjord also listed an open version as the 44 Open, which is why listings use the 44 name for both. The coupe won an Asia Boating Award in 2019 and was a 2020 Motor Boat Awards finalist among sportscruisers over 40 feet.

The arc saloon, a glasshouse you can open five ways

Fjord calls the deckhouse the arc saloon after its arched roofline. It is built from real glass, stainless steel and GRP composites, and it can be opened in several ways: twin sliding doors aft, two side doors forward, two electric side windows and an electric sunroof. With everything open on a breezy day the space stays cool without air conditioning, and three separate doors make moving around safer.

Here is the catch that MBY pointed out: the side doors, sliding windows and sunroof were cost options, and with all that glazing air conditioning is close to essential when it is closed. Inside there is a dinette and a galley with an induction hob, sink, fridge and ice maker, and the driver sits in the middle of three bolstered forward-facing seats with the same well-organized dash as the open boat.

To keep the walkaround decks, the deckhouse had to be narrower and taller than a full-width coupe. MBY's tester disliked the look, calling it tall and top-heavy against the hull's clean lines, but conceded that it changes how the boat can be used, because guests are no longer squeezed below in poor weather.

Decks carried over from the open boat

Most of the 42 Open's best features survive. The tall topsides with thick handrails set inside them make the side decks feel secure, the pop-up cleats are large enough for heavy ground lines, deck storage is generous and an optional retracting anchor arm keeps the bow clean. Aft there is a hydraulic bathing platform with built-in steps, and the cockpit table drops to form a large sunpad, with an extending canopy for shade. Forward is a big sunbathing area on the bow.

Below deck, a couple's boat first

The lower deck is the same as on the open boat: an open-plan cabin with a low island double, hanging storage and a bathroom with a large sink and a separate shower stall. Fjord offered a second cabin amidships, which MBY priced at about 7,000 euros, but its tester found headroom and access so tight that it is better treated as luggage storage. Plan on this as a two-person cruiser that can take guests for the day.

IPS600 or IPS500, and the numbers from the test

Only Volvo Penta IPS was offered: twin IPS500 at 370 hp or IPS600 at 435 hp, which MBY said cost 43,911 euros more. Its advice was to pay it. The IPS500 boat tops out around 30 knots, so the engines work hard to hold any useful cruise, while the IPS600 boat is turning a relaxed 2,800 rpm at 28 knots.

On test with IPS600s, MBY recorded a top speed of 35.4 knots, still 400 rpm short of Volvo's rated maximum, which points to prop choice; three propeller options were on the list. The most efficient speed was 28 knots at 122 liters per hour, about 32 gallons per hour, for a range of 166 nautical miles with a 20 percent reserve. At 25 knots the boat burned about 105 liters per hour, roughly 28 gallons per hour, and barely felt like it was moving. Fjord quoted up to 36 knots with 870 hp.

Handling is typical IPS: light, predictable and easy to dock with a joystick, but not exciting. The bow runs fairly high and needs a little tab.

Running a 44 Coupé in American waters

Annual costs should run roughly $32,000 to $62,000 for a 44-foot slip, insurance, IPS service, bottom paint and upkeep of the glazing seals and electric windows. IPS pods need regular anode, seal and drive-oil service, and Volvo's US dealer network is broad, which helps a brand whose own dealers are few in North America.

Climate matters more than usual. In Florida or the Gulf the air conditioning will work hard on a glasshouse, so check the capacity and the generator. In New England or the Pacific Northwest the closed saloon extends the season in exactly the way Fjord intended.

Finding a Fjord 44 for sale

Fjord no longer lists the 44 Coupé as a current model, and YachtBuyer marks it as discontinued. Expect most used boats to be European, VAT-paid and highly optioned, with asking prices in roughly the $430,000 to $760,000 range. Check carefully which opening elements the boat has, because a coupe with fixed side glass and no sunroof is a very different boat to live with. If you find yourself drawn mainly to the outdoor life, MBY's conclusion is worth repeating: a 44 Open, or Fjord's newer 41 XL, may suit you better.