1980 Wellington 44 Center Cockpit Cutter

1980 Wellington 44 Center Cockpit Cutter
$20,000 Price Reduction
If you are looking for a spacious and seaworthy UNSINKABLE Bluewater Keel/Centerboard Cruiser that will take you safely and comfortably to offshore destinations and also capable of gunkholing in your favorite anchorages; then this semi-custom, two-owner, 1980 Wellington Center Cockpit 44 Cutter is a must-see and a step above all of the other Wellington 44 models that were built. This hull was hand-laid of solid fiberglass and cured in the mold for 30 days so you won't find stress cracks or even spider cracks in the gelcoat after all these years of bluewater sailing. The original owners cruised onboard Bird of Paradise for over 10 years throughout the Caribbean and the current owner, stalled by COVID restrictions, has updated systems since 2019 in preparation for a Caribbean and Pacific cruise that has been cancelled for health reasons.

She was re-powered in 2018 with a 110HP Yanmar 4JH11X1 Diesel Engine and Yanmar Digital Instrument panel and currently has only 85 hours. The Genoa and Mainsail were recently removed, checked and reconditioned by a local sail loft, and the super-slick Tides Marine Strong track system on the Mainsail makes raising and lowering the mainsail effortless. Additional recent upgrades include both electric toilets with Bidets and plumbing replaced, the interior satin-varnished teak cabinetry is in nice condition for its age, all bilges and interiors of cabinets and storage areas are freshly painted and clean, and all opening windows and hatches have been re-sealed in the last few years to ensure a dry and leak-free interior. This 44 Wellington Cutter hull is lined with foam that provides excellent insulation as well as full flotation buoyancy that makes this an unsinkable and extremely dry and quiet yacht.

All Garmin Electronics were replaced since 2022, featuring a Garmin GPSMap Color 942xs MFD Chartplotter with a Garmin Panoptix Forward Looking Transducer, Garmin GMR 18 HD Color Radar, Garmin Digital Display Touch-Screen AutoPilot, ICOM SSB and a 2023 Standard Horizon Matrix VHF Radio with GPS & AIS are all in good working order.


Bird of Paradise is ready to cruise with a 5kW Kohler Generator with under 2,500 hours and recent service, a Xantrex Freedom 30 Inverter/Charger, Ice-Cold Air Conditioning system with reverse cycle heat, SeaFrost Refrigeration with a large separate Freezer, heavy duty SS custom dinghy davits, a Caribe RIB with Yamaha 15hp engine, a SS Outboard Engine Lift, multiple anchors with recently updated Anchor Chain, and custom Sunbrella covers on all the exterior varnished teak, hatches and windows, and serviceable Bimini with full enclosure panels, custom-made teak cockpit grate, and a custom skylight above the Master Shower that makes it bright with natural light. Additional sail inventory includes a Staysail on a Pro-Furler, a high-cut furling jib on a 2022 Harken Furling System, 140% Genoa, and a Spinnaker with a spinnaker pole.


This 1980 Wellington 44 Center-Cockpit Cutter has had extensive upgrades and safety inspections to prepare it for safe bluewater cruising but is in need of some Exterior TLC because the Seller?s plans were to have some exterior upgrades and deferred maintenance done in Panama, before cruising to the Pacific. However, if you appreciate quality craftsmanship and classic styling, you owe it to yourself to schedule a personal inspection of Bird of Paradise. Plan on buffing out two small areas on the hull of minor dock rash, waxing the hull and cabintop, sanding and treating the exterior teak, and you won't be disappointed upon inspection.