Trojan 440 Express: Used Boat Review

Hand a blank sheet of paper to a talented designer like Italy's Fulvio DeSimoni, tell him to look at all the express cruisers available for ideas and then ask him to design a boat that is a quantum step forward, and the result is the Trojan 440 Express Yacht. Trojan's advanced thinking and their drive to push the comfort envelope has resulted in an elegant and luxurious yacht with a host of thoughtful touches.

With a 15' beam and an overall length of just under 45' for the Trojan 440, DeSimoni had a spacious package to fill, and he created a genuine two-stateroom yacht that can be increased to three staterooms without cramping the occupants.

The cockpit of the Trojan is large enough to entertain all your neighbors, the two heads are amply sized, and there's plenty of room to sprawl in the salon. But the 440 is more than just spacious accommodations: it's a whole attitude of making life comfortable. The helm has air conditioning for those warm summer afternoons, there's a "garage" for a personal watercraft, and the anchor windlass is tucked into an oversized locker with through-the-stem anchor so the foredeck is uncluttered.

Step aboard the wide transom swim platform, and you're standing on a hidden storage area. At the touch of a switch, the entire platform rises to reveal a cavernous bin that can hold all sorts of water toys such as a personal watercraft, inflatable dinghy, or stacks of scuba tanks. An optional davit is concealed in the compartment to simplify launching, making this a no-effort way to fully enjoy the water. The swim platform also has an additional on-deck compartment designed to hold fenders, dock lines and shore power cords.

The cockpit has two areas: an aft lounge and a forward command bridge, and both are sumptuously upholstered. Wrap around seating with a cocktail table is aft to port, and a wet bar with hidden sink is to starboard. The double helm seat is electrically adjustable and there is a companion bench to port.

At the helm, an array of VDO gauges is grouped by function for easy scanning, and these include the usual instruments plus such valuable additions as transmission gear oil temperature and pressure. A flat area is left for electronics to be installed, which makes them a bit hard to read when flush-mounted, but a nearby plexiglass-topped bin keeps the necessary VHF within easy reach. The adjustable steering wheel allows for standing or sitting, and single-lever Morse controls are standard. The entire area is protected by a huge wrap-around tinted windshield that has an innovative vent system which allows air to flow under the windshield at the touch of a switch. Overhead, the radar arch has racy winglets at each end for a distinctive styling touch.

The companionway hatch slides neatly out of sight and the usually mundane cabin steps are turned into an artform with stainless-steel rails and plexiglass side panels. The saloon is cool and elegant, with pale gray upholstery, Berber carpeting and bird's eye maple paneling that gives the look of an Architectural Digest penthouse. There's plenty of room to move around, and the long curved couch to starboard is inviting with supple gray covering. The windows are cleverly hidden in cabinets, allowing light and air as well as privacy.

The galley of the 440 Express is forward to port, with a stand-up refrigerator concealed behind decor panels, custom countertops with covers for the sink and 2-burner cooktop, and cabinetry with built-in microwave and coffeemaker. A surprising amount of useful storage space is available for utensils, dishware and foods in lockers and drawers.

The forward stateroom has a queen-sized berth, a permanent vanity and seat to port, cedar lined hanging lockers, and lighted under-bunk storage areas. A television is flush-mounted in the bulkhead, and the master head is spacious enough to include a separate stall shower behind a curved plexiglass door. Aft, a private guest stateroom has a queen-sized berth, a cedar-lined hanging locker, and a private entry into the second head compartment that also opens to the salon.

Construction is top notch, which is understandable when you discover that this Trojan was actually built by Hatteras Yachts. Both companies were at the time of construction under the Genmar corporate umbrella, and Trojan used the resources of Hatteras' High Point, NC facility to produce the 440 Express. With that in mind, the premium grade NPG gelcoat and vinylester barrier coat are just part of a quality program that gives a five year hull warranty and a two-year blister protection warranty.

I was impressed by what I could see of the systems installations, with all the wiring in tidy looms with labels, and the plumbing solidly secured. Access to the various systems seems to be good, and particularly to those below the waterline such as seacocks. A cockpit hatch reveals a ladder leading to diamond-plate flooring between the engines, and there is plenty of room to move around and check systems. Two additional hatches can be opened to reach the areas outboard of the engines, all without having to move furniture.

Our test boat had a pair of Caterpillar 3126 diesels of 420 HP, and there was a selection of engines ranging from gas Crusader 502s to Cummins 400C diesels. A nine-kw generator was standard with diesels, 10-kw with the gas engines, and both are housed in a separate concealed compartment aft for quiet operation. Our Cat 3126s were a good choice, providing quiet power and plenty of punch when needed. We topped out at 29 knots (33 MPH) with a full load of fuel and water, and the factory suggests a comfortable 2400 RPM cruising speed of 23 knots (26 MPH), also fully loaded.

Underway, the 440 was a delight. It came onto plane smoothly and gobbled up the lumpy seas at the Newport Harbor entrance without a bobble. The big windshield keeps the breeze off all but the tallest of skippers, and the innovative venting system will be much appreciated by anyone who dislikes the scent of diesel that is pulled back into the cockpit on most boats. We did our best to find waves that would put spray on deck but the 440 slid through them all with aplomb, and I have to admit that I was impressed by the solid feel and comfortable motion of this big yacht.

Boat Specifications