Seamaster 46 Information, Review, Specs

The Seamaster 46 entered production in 1981, emerging from the Lien Hwa Industrial Corp. shipyard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The design was penned by Robert Perry, an American maritime architect whose philosophy often centered on creating vessels that offered a blend of seaworthiness, comfort, and respectable sailing performance. The Seamaster 46 reflects this ethos, being described as a "strong boat, that can handle any climate and waters" and an "ideal Cruiser for couple or family wanting very safe and comfortable cruising any place in the world". The vessel features a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration chosen for its balance of performance and directional stability. Lien Hwa's reputation for robust, solid fiberglass hull construction contributed significantly to the durability and seaworthiness of the Seamaster 46, a hallmark of their manufacturing during that era. While specific variations like "MkI" or "MkII" are not widely documented, the Seamaster 46 was consistently produced as a masthead ketch, a rigging choice often favored for its versatility and ease of handling due to smaller, more manageable sail sizes.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Seamaster 46 is engineered for comfortable offshore cruising rather than light-air racing, a characteristic evident in its design ratios. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 15.08, the Seamaster 46 is moderately powered, suggesting she will perform well in a range of conditions without being overly sensitive in heavy air, though perhaps requiring more wind to get moving briskly in lighter breezes. Her Ballast to Displacement (B/D) ratio stands at a substantial 0.40, indicating excellent stiffness and stability, enabling the boat to stand up to a good amount of wind and provide a comfortable motion in a seaway. Furthermore, a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 230.15 classifies the Seamaster 46 as a moderately heavy cruiser. This weight class contributes to her solid feel and robust construction, making her well-suited for extended voyages and providing a forgiving ride in challenging sea states. Owners and reviewers often describe the ketch rig as being easier to handle, particularly for short-handed sailing, due to the ability to balance the sail plan with smaller, individual sails. The design is noted for its ability to excel in both sailing and motoring performance, which is a significant advantage for a vessel of this type.

Accommodations and Layout

The Seamaster 46 is recognized for its spacious hull design, which translates into comfortable interior accommodations. While specific headroom figures are not consistently available, the generous beam of 14.25 feet and overall design intent suggest ample living space below deck. The typical layout of a Seamaster 46, based on common cruising yacht designs of its era, would likely feature a large salon, a well-equipped galley, multiple cabins offering private sleeping quarters (such as a V-berth forward and one or more quarter berths or an aft cabin), and at least one head compartment. The design often includes extensive tankage, with a substantial 500-gallon water capacity, emphasizing its blue water cruising capabilities and self-sufficiency for longer passages. The general finish quality, often associated with Taiwanese builders like Lien Hwa, typically involved robust construction with a practical and often warm use of materials suitable for a liveaboard or extended cruising yacht. Many examples on the brokerage market today show evidence of upgrades to interior, exterior, and rigging, highlighting the vessel's enduring design and suitability for customization.