Cranchi M44 HT Brings Two-Cabin Weekending to Malta Boat Show

A weekend cruiser in Cottonera

Cranchi is exhibiting the M44 HT at the Malta Boat Show in Cospicua from 29 October to 1 November 2026, alongside smaller dayboats from its range. The M44's place in the lineup is distinctive because it is designed to make overnight coastal cruising a natural extension of a relaxed day on the water.

At 13.82 metres overall and approximately four metres wide, the hardtop motorboat offers substantially more interior living space than a conventional open bowrider. Its proportions suit an owner who wants to leave after work, reach a nearby anchorage and spend a weekend afloat without chartering a larger yacht.

The model's roof can open across the central cockpit, creating a more open-air atmosphere when conditions are pleasant. Closing it gives protection over the helm and dinette, an important characteristic for boating in a region where sunshine can be intense but wind can still make exposed seats uncomfortable.

Cockpit living and a practical lower deck

The cockpit arrangement combines seating, a dining area, a galley zone and a chaise longue alongside the helm. Cranchi has attempted to keep the social side of the boat connected to the driver's position rather than separating passengers into entirely different spaces.

Below deck are two cabins, two bathrooms and a saloon area with a galley and dining space. Those facilities may make a short coastal holiday much easier for a family, although usable storage, actual headroom and berth access deserve close inspection before deciding how many people can comfortably stay overnight.

The builder's published data lists five berths and a maximum passenger capacity of twelve, but those numbers describe different operating situations. A vessel that is pleasant with twelve people aboard for lunch will not necessarily be practical as an overnight base for the same party.

Diesel power and operating decisions

Cranchi lists twin Volvo Penta D6-400 diesel engines for the M44 HT, producing 400 horsepower each. Fuel capacity is approximately 940 litres and fresh water capacity about 300 litres, useful starting figures for assessing how many nights can be spent away from shore facilities.

The model's published approximate draft is 0.96 metres, with a dry displacement of roughly 10.9 tonnes. These characteristics influence berth selection, launch facilities and the handling differences that a skipper moving up from a smaller boat will notice.

Buyers should request measured consumption at their preferred cruising speed, with the actual equipment and passenger load aboard. Published fuel capacity does not translate directly into a usable passage range without allowing for reserves, sea conditions and generator or hotel loads.

For owners considering short passages to Gozo or Sicily, the most useful question is how readily the yacht can be prepared to leave. Mooring line storage, galley provisioning, tender arrangements and access to the engine compartment all affect whether a spontaneous weekend feels relaxed.

The hardtop's opening roof provides a choice rather than a fixed character, but it brings moving parts that should be inspected for water seals and service accessibility. A used or heavily equipped example may handle these details differently from a new display boat.

Service support is also worth discussing at the show, particularly the arrangements for Volvo Penta systems, electronics and seasonal maintenance in Malta. An owner should request an itemised specification so that an advertised model price is not confused with the equipped vessel on display.

Why the Malta visit is useful

The Malta show offers local buyers an opportunity to compare the M44 HT with more open Cranchi designs in the same setting. Particular attention should be given to whether the hardtop ventilation works well at the dock and whether moving between cockpit and swim platform feels safe with children aboard.

Owners cruising around Malta, Gozo and Sicily should also evaluate the practicalities of berthing, winter service and maintenance support. A familiar coastal route can still involve rough exposed passages, so comfort in real sea conditions matters more than attractive harbour photography.

The M44 HT presents an established, coherent approach to the 13-to-14-metre weekend boat. Its value will depend on how well the convertible cockpit and lower-deck facilities match the way a buyer genuinely uses the Mediterranean.