Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass, while the deck is fiberglass with a balsa core. The fin keel draws roughly six feet, depending on load. Quoted draft ranges from 6.00 to 6.30 feet.
With a ballast ratio of 44 percent and a length-to-beam ratio of 3.52, the Cardinal 46 is heavily ballasted and beamy at just over 13 feet. Her immersion rate is about 1,746 pounds per inch, so added weight translates predictably into greater static draft. This accounts for the load-dependent draft range.
The underwater body has about 548 square feet of wetted surface, a large area for a 46-footer. Combined with a displacement-length ratio of 222, it confirms a boat tuned for passage-making comfort.
Rig and Handling
The Cardinal 46 has a masthead sloop rig carrying 935 square feet of sail area. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 16.42, and her theoretical hull speed is 8.3 knots.
Each of the three halyards is 128 feet long and 14 mm in diameter. The working sheets are 16 mm, with a 116-foot mainsheet. The cunningham, kicking strap, and clew outhaul are 14 mm and around 17 to 34 feet long. Those dimensions imply a rig built for loaded cruising.
The skeg-hung rudder and fin-keel arrangement is conventional for the era. The boat’s large wetted surface means she’ll be slower to accelerate in light air than a lighter rival.
Tankage, Engine, and Cruising Numbers
The Cardinal 46 carries 110 gallons of diesel and 125 gallons of water. Auxiliary power comes from a 55-horsepower Pathfinder diesel, appropriate to the boat’s displacement.
A capsize ratio of 1.74 and a comfort ratio of 33.84 characterize the Cardinal 46 as a stable, livable platform. Her six-foot-plus draft, however, limits her to major marinas and deeper anchorages.
Known Issues
The balsa-cored deck requires vigilant inspection for moisture intrusion around penetrations. A saturated core loses strength and can be costly to repair.
Draft is the other practical constraint. At 6.00 to 6.30 feet, depending on load, the Cardinal 46 is restricted to major marinas and deeper anchorages. Her 548-square-foot wetted surface and displacement-length ratio of 222 also limit light-air acceleration compared with a lighter boat.
Verdict
The Cardinal 46 is a thoughtfully proportioned mid-1980s cruiser: heavily ballasted, beamy, and equipped with a durable rig and generous tankage. She rewards an owner who values predictable behavior under load and offshore stability over racing pace.
Pros
- 44 percent ballast ratio, with 12,225 lb of lead ballast and 27,500 lb displacement, supports steady offshore behavior
- Robust cruising rig with 14–16 mm running rigging
- 110 gal diesel and 125 gal water support long, autonomous passages
- 8.3-knot theoretical hull speed is consistent with the 38-foot waterline
Cons
- Load-dependent draft of 6.0–6.3 ft restricts her to major marinas and deeper anchorages
- Balsa-cored deck requires disciplined monitoring for moisture
- 548 sq ft of wetted surface and a displacement-length ratio of 222 limit light-air acceleration
