Focus Power 44

Greg Copp reports on an eye-catching all-weather coupé with some serious engine options.

Sleek and seaworthy, the new Focus Power 44 is a boat set to serve a variety of appetites. Though it looks Italian, it is Dutch built, and is heralded as ‘the boat for the powerboater who demands both style and high performance.’ In this department it scores well, as it is built to cater for activities ranging from summer sports to practical long-distance cruising. Consequently it is offered with a range of powerful engine options. The base-spec engine package is a pair of 380hp 5.5L straight-six Volvo D6s on duo-prop DPI sterndrives. However, the optional attraction of a pair of 400hp or 440hp Volvo D6s is clearly something not to be ignored. The 440hp D6s should produce a healthy 45-knot top speed, with a cruising consumption rate that will not break the bank. Apparently this boat can be fitted with twin 550hp sterndrives. Exactly what this engine package could be is not clear at the moment – possibly Mercury V8 petrols, or even a Cummins diesel set-up with Konrad sterndrives, as Focus Power are not known for doing things by halves. They have also offered it with twin 370hp Mercury TDI 4.2 diesels on Bravo 3 XR sterndrives, which, though great engines for lighter boats, are not as well suited as the bigger-block D6s when driving 9.5 tonnes. Its impressive performance is accommodated by a reinforced deep-vee non-stepped hull, which benefits from secondary lamination for extra rigidity – hence its ability to accommodate a wide range of large engines. High-capacity fuel and water tanks are fitted, providing a cruising range of around 300 miles. The engine bay features rubber hatch lining and double-layered sound insulation.

The cockpit takes up more than half of the overall length.

The helm is centrally located.

The 44 boasts an impressive helm station. Positioned at the centre of the deck, it comes equipped with dual leather bucket seats, and a ‘navigation pod’ located on the starboard side – in effect, a large chart table sited under an upholstered panel. A large electric glass sunroof built into the hardtop is standard fitment. This boat enjoys an elevated helm position with good forward visibility, but the sleek coachroof design leaves a low window line, which in turn creates a port-side blind spot when turning hard to port. However, you will be able to see out through the sunroof when banked over, and there is a fold-out footboard that enables you to stand with your head clear of the coachroof – ideal when berthing or simply soaking up the breeze underway.

A passerelle is located under the sunbed.

With the open-back hardtop design you get the best of both worlds. The sunroof enables you to enjoy the benefits of an open boat, while still having instant shade and weather protection. An aft cover set zips onto the rear of the coachroof if the weather takes a dive. The cockpit is generous in size, featuring a six-seat dining table, with a massive 2-metre sunlounger that extends out to the hydraulic bathing platform. The dining area is conveniently served by a wet bar and hob, with a full-size fridge and carbon worktop. The cockpit is relatively high, so the sunbed enjoys an elevated view out over the long bathing platform. This is not the only part of the boat from where to watch the world go by, as wide walk-around side decks and high guard rails provide easy access to the equally spacious sunlounger at the bow.

An airy feel from the light-oak interior.

Plenty of cold food storage

The master cabin is not short of headroom.

The double bed in the port-side guest cabin

Full standing headroom at the foot of the beds on the starboard side.

The master en suite ticks all boxes.

Below decks, the tall design of the boat facilitates full standing headroom throughout. You can have either a twin cabin, a twin en suite design or a triple-cabin arrangement, with a day heads and an en suite serving the forward master cabin. The twin-cabin option provides a very generous full-beam guest cabin, which, thanks to a relatively high deck, means you do not get that ‘stooper’ mid-cabin design in either of the two layouts. The triple-cabin arrangement still offers two very credible cabins: one with two single berths (plus infill) and a double-berth cabin, both with hanging lockers. The saloon area between the guest cabins and the forepeak master cabin is larger than you would normally expect of a 44ft sports cruiser. There is a well-equipped galley to port, complete with flush hob, sink, storage and a full-height fridge-freezer, no less. The dinette opposite is rated for six, though to be fair, this would be on the cosy side for a group of adults. The master cabin, like the rest of the accommodation, benefits from a long window and light interior fittings. A large hanging locker is located on the starboard side, substantial drawer storage sits under the island double bed, and the en suite heads, complete with a separate shower compartment on the port side, ticks all the boxes. The interior joinery is offered in a range of ‘muted oaks’, and the upholstery is premium leather and Alcantara.

At 580,000 euros (plus VAT) for a base-spec boat, the price tag is pretty much par for the course today; however, if you want one for UK waters, it means a weekend in Amsterdam.