For several years, the boat carried the Cruising 46 name before later versions dropped it. The original run was succeeded by the Cal 2-46, built from 1973 through 1976 with a redesigned deck, cockpit, and interior. The Cal 3-46 followed in 1977 and 1978, bringing only minor interior changes. More than 100 boats were built across the series, yet they remain an uncommon sight.
Design and Construction
Lapworth’s hull is hand-laid solid fiberglass using cloth and woven roving, as were most early Cal boats. The lead ballast was precast in a mold, lowered into the fiberglass keel cavity, and glassed over. Wood bulkheads and structural furniture were fiberglassed to the hull to add rigidity.
The hull-to-deck joint was sealed with 3M 5200 and through-bolted with 1/4-inch machine screws. The builder described the connection as bonded to form a double-thick seam. The deck was cored with plywood, which one owner considered structurally sound for that application.
The underbody combines a long cruising keel, cut away significantly at the forefoot, with a large spade rudder. Practical Sailor called this pairing one of the boat’s more unusual features. Draft is a shoal five feet, while the displacement/length ratio is around 250—moderate even by today’s standards, according to Practical Sailor.
The center-cockpit arrangement was unusual in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its elevated, dry cockpit reflects that forward-looking approach.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
A sloop rig was the only option until 1973, when a ketch rig became available. The rig is notably short, a consequence of the shoal five-foot draft and the high center of gravity produced by the ballast profile. The shoal draft and short rig limit ultimate sailing performance, but they deliver manageable handling.
Despite its modest sail plan, the hull drives at about 8.5 knots and has a cruising range near 1,200 miles. Owners appreciated the beefy 85-horsepower Perkins diesel as a reliable answer to calm conditions. The standard 26-inch three-blade propeller provides good power and control in close quarters.
Accommodations
The original Cal 46 has V-berths and a private head forward. A raised deckhouse amidships contains the dinette and galley, while a large living room aft provides settees and a sofa bed. Burmese teak is used for the interior joinerwork, and the overhead panels are vinyl-covered.
The deckhouse offers 270-degree visibility, a daring departure for its era. Later layouts placed a stateroom at each end of the boat, allowing two couples to cruise with privacy while leaving the dinette available.
Owners across all Cal 46 versions are unanimous in praising the large engine room and its standing headroom.
Known Issues
The large windows are a concern on every model because they appeared weak and were prone to leaking. Later versions used smaller windows, but the vulnerability remained.
Owners also identified the wooden spreaders as a maintenance item. One owner reported that the black iron fuel tanks rotted out after 15 years. By contrast, a Cal 2-46 brochure says its pair of steel tanks held 135 gallons and were made from 10-gauge metal. Later models at least used stainless water tanks.
Verdict
The Cal Cruising 46 is a thoughtfully engineered coastal and offshore cruiser with a layout that was decades ahead of its time. Its shoal draft and short rig limit ultimate performance but deliver manageable handling. The comfortable, private interior works particularly well for two couples.
Solid-fiberglass construction and the widely praised engine room reinforce the boat’s cruising intent. However, prospective buyers should pay close attention to the windows and tank details.
Pros
- Center-cockpit layout with staterooms at each end for privacy when cruising with two couples
- Hand-laid solid-fiberglass hull with glassed-in bulkheads
- Large engine room with standing headroom
- Robust 85-horsepower Perkins diesel
- 270-degree visibility from the deckhouse
- Elevated, dry cockpit
Cons
- Large windows prone to weakness and leakage across all models
- Black iron fuel tanks reported to rot after 15 years
- Wooden spreaders require ongoing maintenance
- Shoal five-foot draft requires a short rig, limiting sail-driven potential
