The Big Picture: Neil Gilbert’s OD44

SinC OD44 Neil Gilbert 700

December 14, 2022

This scorching 44 is a holiday gift from Neil Gilbert, one of the country’s few professional boat designers. Neil is arguably Canada’s most prolific, working or having worked with Malibu Boats, Campion Marine, Doral Boats, Vector Powerboats, C&C Yachts, Twin Anchors, and many others over four decades. An accomplished racer forever, Neil and his brothers won the Shark Worlds in 1981.

This stunning boat, so far just a concept, is a concept for a 44 one design that Neil did during some downtime in between projects in his studio in BC’s Okanogan Valley.

SinC OD44 Neil Gilbert 2 700

The versions named Nanuk were a holiday present for Pat Festing-Smith. Pat and Neil spent their youth sailing in Oakville. Pat has campaigned but mostly cruised various racer-cruisers his current Nanuk, a Jeanneau 57 that has hosted all sorts of celebs from Ed Robertson to Tessa Virtue.

Then big question is will Pat switch to this hot One Design 44? Who else might? Could we see a Canadian fleet come to life? Stay tuned.

-JM

SinC OD44 Neil Gilbert 5 400SinC OD44 Neil Gilbert 3 400

Related Articles

  • NorthStar SailGP Team 7th in New York

    NorthStar SailGP Team 7th in New York

    June 12, 2025 The NorthStar SailGP Team finished 7th overall at the 6th stage of the 2025 SailGP season in New York last weekend. The Canadian team is currently fifth in the 2025 overall standing. Diego Botin’s Spain has recorded back-to-back event wins after spectacularly beating New Zealand and France in New York’s winner-takes-all shootout…. Read More…

  • Regattas: Nepean One Design, June 20 – 22, 2025

    Regattas: Nepean One Design, June 20 – 22, 2025

    June 12, 2025 Hosted by the Nepean Sailing Club, the 27th edition of the Nepean One Design (NOD) Regatta, June 20 – 22, 2025, brings together over 300 participants across multiple keelboat and dinghy fleets for a weekend of sailing, entertainment and friendly rivalry in the beautiful National Capital Region. Since its inception in 1992,… Read More…