Cal 46 Iii (1975) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Cal 46 III begins with its predecessors, the original Cal 46 MS and the Cal 2-46, all sharing the same fundamental hull design. Bill Lapworth, who considered the Cal 46 one of his favorite designs and even owned one himself, aimed to create an offshore cruising sailboat that leveraged a century of design principles for efficient passage-making. The Cal 46 III, specifically produced starting in 1975, distinguishes itself from the earlier Cal 2-46 primarily through smaller cabin windows and a revised interior layout. This evolution reflects Jensen Marine's ongoing commitment to refining their performance-oriented fiberglass sailboats, ensuring they remained tough, easy to sail, and comfortable, with good tracking characteristics. While primarily offered as a ketch, the Cal 46 III was also available as a sloop, and some owners have even converted their ketches to sloops. The ketch rig is often favored on this design, known for offering more manageable sail plans.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Cal 46 III, with a length overall of 45.5 feet and a waterline length of 37.5 feet, is a substantial cruising vessel. Its design characteristics lend themselves to a stable and comfortable motion in a seaway rather than outright speed. With a calculated Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 12.25, the Cal 46 III is not optimized for blistering light-air performance. Instead, this lower ratio, combined with a hefty displacement, indicates a boat designed for steady progress in a variety of conditions, typical of a heavy ketch cruiser.

The Ballast to Displacement (B/D) ratio stands at around 0.266. While this is on the lower side compared to some heavily ballasted offshore designs, the sheer displacement of 30,000 pounds contributes significantly to its stability. The Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 568.9 firmly places the Cal 46 III in the category of a very heavy, traditional cruiser, affirming its design as a robust, blue-water capable boat. Owners generally report good handling characteristics, noting a lack of control problems even in heavy weather. The ketch rig, by distributing the sail area across two masts, can lead to less heel on a beam reach compared to a sloop with equivalent sail area, offering a more comfortable ride.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed diagrams of the Cal 46 III's interior layout are not consistently available, it is known to feature a different interior arrangement and smaller cabin windows compared to its immediate predecessor, the Cal 2-46. As a large cruising ketch of its era, a typical layout would likely include a V-berth forward, followed by a head compartment. The main salon would offer settees, a dining area, and a functional galley, providing ample space for extended living aboard. Given its design as an offshore liveaboard, storage solutions would have been a significant consideration. Some owners have even customized their interiors, highlighting the adaptability of the platform. While Practical Sailor notes that the interior may not be as "light and airy" as some other boats, a common observation that could be attributed to the smaller cabin windows.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners consistently rate the construction of the Cal 46 series as excellent, a testament to Jensen Marine's build quality. Many praise the Cal 46 III for being a "great boat" with abundant space, making it a popular choice for blue-water cruising and liveaboard lifestyles. The solid construction ensures a comfortable motion offshore, and the ketch rig is often preferred for its versatility and ease of handling in varying wind conditions, with some owners re-rigging from ketch to sloop to suit their preferences. While no unique common problems were broadly reported beyond the typical maintenance considerations for boats of this vintage (such as potential re-bedding of original deck fittings), the enduring popularity and active owner community underscore the Cal 46 III's reputation as a reliable and capable cruising sailboat.