Navaho 46 Information, Review, Specs

Built by Sailcraft Ltd. of Brightlingsea, Essex, a company renowned for pushing the boundaries of multihull design, the Navaho 46 leveraged the builder's expertise gained from successful racing catamarans like the Olympic-class Tornado.

History and Design

The Navaho 46 began production in 1972, emerging from a period when British builder Sailcraft Ltd. was at the forefront of fiberglass multihull construction. 2, 3, Builder Article Sailcraft, founded in 1967 by Reg White MBE and Rodney March, quickly evolved from building high-performance dinghies to collaborating with J.R. (Rod) Macalpine-Downie on a series of fiberglass cruising catamarans. Macalpine-Downie, a self-taught but highly influential multihull designer, was instrumental in expanding Sailcraft's offerings beyond racing to encompass the cruising market.

The Navaho 46, a product of this collaboration, aligns with Sailcraft's broader design philosophy emphasizing speed, intelligent design, and the early adoption of fiberglass for production multihulls. The company's commitment to modern materials allowed for the creation of vessels that were lighter, stronger, and more consistently built. Sailcraft Ltd. continued operations until 1986, suggesting that production of the Navaho 46 likely continued for a significant portion of that period, though specific end-of-production dates are not widely documented. Information regarding significant variations in the Navaho 46's production run, such as MkI or MkII versions, is not readily available in public records.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a catamaran, the Navaho 46 inherently offers a stable platform and spacious decks, distinguishing itself from monohulls of comparable length. With a length overall of 46 feet and a wide beam of 20 feet, she boasts a substantial footprint on the water. Her hull is constructed from solid fiberglass, contributing to a reported displacement of 45,000 lbs.

The Navaho 46 is equipped with a cutter rig, providing a versatile sail plan that allows for effective adjustments to sail area across a range of wind conditions. Her twin keels, a common feature in cruising catamarans for shoal draft capabilities, would also contribute to lateral resistance, aiding upwind performance while minimizing draft to just 2 feet. The twin rudder configuration offers precise steering control. While detailed anecdotal descriptions of the Navaho 46's specific handling characteristics in various sea states are not widely published, Sailcraft's general reputation for building efficient and capable multihulls suggests the Navaho 46 was designed for competent offshore cruising.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its considerable length of 46 feet and a substantial beam, the Sailcraft Navaho 46 would have offered generous interior volume for a vessel of its era. As a cruising catamaran, its design inherently provides two separate hull spaces, typically utilized for cabins and heads, flanking a central bridgedeck structure that houses the main living areas.

Specific details regarding the interior layout, finish quality, and material use for the Navaho 46 are not extensively documented in widely accessible online resources. However, typical cruising catamarans of this size and period would likely feature multiple private cabins, often with V-berths or double berths forward in each hull, and possibly quarter berths aft. A head compartment with marine toilet and shower facilities would be expected in at least one hull. The bridgedeck salon would typically include a dining area, a galley, and a navigation station, benefiting from the wide platform to offer panoramic views and ample natural light and ventilation through hatches and ports. While the maximum headroom is not specified in available data, a vessel of this size would generally aim for comfortable standing headroom throughout key living areas. Owners of similar vessels from this era often note the robust, if sometimes utilitarian, use of fiberglass with wood trim for interior finishes, prioritizing durability and functionality for extended cruising.

Owner's Perspectives

Due to the limited public information available specifically for the Sailcraft Navaho 46, comprehensive owner reviews or common maintenance issues are not widely documented or synthesized in online forums or review sites. Therefore, a collective summary of owner perspectives cannot be robustly provided at this time.