Design and Construction
Lapworth's hull is hand-laid solid fiberglass using cloth and woven roving, consistent with most early Cal boats, and 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 for rigidity. The hull-to-deck joint was sealed with 3M 5200 and through-bolted with 1/4-inch machine screws, and the builder described the connection as bonded to form a double-thick seam. The deck itself was cored with plywood, which an owner cited as structurally sound for that application.
The underbody pairs a long cruising keel — cut away significantly at the forefoot — with a large spade rudder, a combination Practical Sailor called one of the boat's more unusual features. Draft is shoal at five feet, and the displacement/length ratio sits around 250, which Practical Sailor noted remains moderate even by today's standards. The center-cockpit layout was unusual in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the elevated, dry cockpit reflects that thinking.
Rig and Handling
A sloop rig was the only option until 1973, when a ketch became available. The rig is notably short, a consequence of the shoal five-foot draft and the high center of gravity the ballast profile produces. Despite the modest sail plan, the hull drives at about 8.5 knots and carries a cruising range near 1,200 miles. Owners appreciated the beefy 85-horsepower Perkins diesel as a reliable answer to calm conditions, and the standard 26-inch three-blade propeller gives good power and control in close quarters.
Accommodations
The original Cal 46 laid out V-berths forward with a private head, then a raised deckhouse containing a dinette and galley, and a large living room aft with settees and a sofa bed. Interior joinerwork is Burmese teak, with vinyl-covered overhead panels. The deckhouse offers 270-degree visibility, a daring departure for its era. Later layouts provided a stateroom at each end of the boat so two couples could cruise with privacy while the dinette stayed available. Owners across all 46s are unanimous in praising the large engine room and its standing headroom.
Known Issues
The large windows on all models are a cause for concern, as they seemed weak and leaked; their size was reduced in later versions but the vulnerability remained. Owners also noted wooden spreaders as a maintenance item. One owner reported the black iron fuel tanks rotted out at 15 years, while a 2-46 brochure claims the pair of steel tanks holding 135 gallons are built from 10-gauge metal; later models at least used stainless water tanks.
The Verdict
The Cal Cruising 46 is a thoughtfully engineered coastal and offshore cruiser whose layout was decades ahead of its time. The shoal draft and short rig limit ultimate performance but deliver manageable handling and a comfortable, private interior for two couples. Solid glass construction and a praised engine room underscore its cruising intent, while window and tank details demand buyer attention.
Pros
- Center-cockpit layout with staterooms at each end for two-couple privacy
- Hand-laid solid fiberglass hull with glassed-in bulkheads
- Large engine room with standing headroom; robust 85-hp Perkins diesel
- 270-degree deckhouse visibility and elevated dry cockpit
Cons
- Large windows prone to weakness and leakage across all models
- Black iron fuel tanks reported to rot at 15 years
- Wooden spreaders require ongoing maintenance
- Shoal five-foot draft mandates a short rig, capping sail-driven potential
