Cal Cruising 46 Information, Review, Specs

The Cal Cruising 46 had a brief initial production run from 1967 to 1972, with only 18 units built. Its genesis was rooted in Bill Lapworth's vision for a true cruising yacht, embodying able sailing characteristics alongside comfort. Jensen Marine, under Jack Jensen, embraced fiberglass construction for its durability and versatility, aligning with their ethos of producing solid, well-built, and easy-to-sail vessels.

However, the initial reception of the Cal Cruising 46, which was conceptually also explored as a ketch rig, proved disappointing, particularly concerning its interior layout. This led to subsequent, significant revisions while retaining the same robust hull. The "Cal 2-46" succeeded the original from 1973, featuring a redesigned deck, cockpit, and a notably improved interior arrangement that moved the engine forward and enlarged both the main salon and forward cabin. A third iteration, the "Cal 3-46" or "Mark III," emerged in the mid-1970s with further interior modifications and smaller cabin windows. Despite these changes, all 46-foot models shared the identical hull designed by Lapworth, highlighting its enduring fundamental quality.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Interpreting its specifications, the Cal Cruising 46, with a length overall of 45.5 feet and a waterline of 37.5 feet, is a moderately heavy displacement vessel. Its displacement-to-length ratio of approximately 254 suggests a solid, full-bodied cruiser designed for comfort in a seaway rather than outright speed. The sail area-to-displacement ratio of roughly 13.75 indicates an average performer, especially in lighter winds, typical for a dedicated cruising boat that prioritizes stability and load-carrying capacity over extreme light-air acceleration.

While its ballast-to-displacement ratio of about 0.27 is on the lower side, suggesting a greater reliance on hull form for initial stability, the boat is generally praised for its "able sailing characteristics" and "excellent sailing performance." Owners and reviewers frequently highlight its comfortable motion and stability in various conditions, supported by a comfort ratio over 40 and a low capsize screening formula of 1.61, indicating a very safe and stable offshore platform. The Cal Cruising 46 is known to achieve a good turn of speed, with anecdotal reports of easily reaching 8.5 knots, affirming its capability as a blue-water cruiser.

Accommodations and Layout

The Cal Cruising 46 was designed to be a comfortable offshore cruiser, yet the original iteration's interior proved to be one of its primary shortcomings, leading directly to its redesign in later models. The limited initial sales (18 units) were partly attributed to the interior layout, which prompted Jensen Marine to completely overhaul it for the subsequent Cal 2-46 and Cal 3-46 versions. These later models saw the engine room moved forward and significant enlargement of the main salon and forward cabin to enhance living spaces. While specific detailed schematics or descriptions of the original Cal Cruising 46 interior are scarce due to these extensive modifications, it can be inferred that the layout was geared towards extended cruising, likely featuring a V-berth forward, a main salon, a galley, and a head. However, the subsequent reconfigurations indicate that storage, flow, or overall spaciousness in the initial design may have fallen short of market expectations for a vessel of this size.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners consistently commend the Cal 46 hull series, including the original Cruising 46, for its robust and "excellent" construction quality, distinguishing it as a well-built vessel. Many consider it a "proven bluewater cruiser known for its rugged construction," highlighting its suitability for offshore passages. Owners appreciate the boat's comfortable motion in a seaway and its spacious interior, particularly in the later 2-46 and 3-46 iterations, which benefited from significant redesigns addressing the original model's interior limitations. While specific common maintenance issues for the original Cruising 46 are not widely documented, the widespread interior redesign in subsequent models suggests that the initial layout was a notable area for improvement from an owner's perspective. Despite its short production run, the enduring popularity and active sailing of Cal 46 hulls today attest to their fundamental design soundness and the quality of their build, fostering a dedicated community of enthusiasts.