Professional Marine Arch for Bluewater Cruising
Designed and built by Pierre Meunier in Montréal, Reliance 44s were available either as a hull and deck to be finished by the owner or in various stages of completion from the factory. Since many, including my own, were finished by the original owners, there are vast differences between boats in terms of cabin layout, hardware, and the general quality of the interior.

The hull and deck are constructed of hand-laid fiberglass with a 1-inch balsa core. The core provides for a stiff hull that’s much lighter than solid glass, and the additional insulating effect has been a bonus for living aboard through New England winters. There’s solid fiberglass in the important places: the chainplates, deck fittings, and keel. The fiberglass work is top-notch, and delamination hasn’t been an issue with our boat or with any other Reliance that we’ve encountered. Meunier was one of the first builders to utilize temperature and humidity control during layup.
The June 1981 issue of Cruising World describes the Reliance 44 as a “sturdy and pretty boat that will stand out in any crowd of modern cruising boats.” Now, 30 years later, it’s still true. Depending on the fit and finish, Reliance 44s usually list between $85,000 and $150,000.
Reliance 44
LOA 44′ 4″ (13.5 m.)
LWL 31′ 5″ (9.5 m.)
Beam 11′ 8″ (3.5 m.)
Draft 6′ 2″ (2.1 m.)
Sail Area (100%) 905 sq. ft. (84 sq. m.)
Ballast 11,200 lb. (5,080 kg.)
Displacement 28,000 lb. (12,700 kg.)
Ballast/D .40
D/L 403
SA/D 15.7
Water 200 gal. (757 l.)
Fuel 80 gal. (303 l.)
Holding 30 gal. (113 l.)
Engine 40-hp. Yanmar diesel
Designer Pierre Meunier