CM 46 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The CM 46 is engineered for "fast cruising," a category that demands the boat remain manageable for a couple while capable of 200-plus nautical mile days. Central to its performance are the deep, retractable daggerboards, which allow the CM 46 to point significantly higher than fixed-keel catamarans, often achieving tacking angles comparable to performance monohulls. With the boards raised, the boat draws less than a meter, permitting access to shallow anchorages and reducing drag when running downwind.

The power-to-weight ratio is a defining characteristic. Because the CM 46 is constructed using vacuum-bagged epoxy and E-glass, it avoids the parasitic weight of traditional polyester/chopped-strand mat construction. When paired with a tall, fractional rig—often featuring a carbon fiber mast from manufacturers like Southern Spars or Lorima—the boat exhibits an exceptional Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio. In editorial testing and owner reports, the vessel has been noted for its ability to sail at or near wind speed in light conditions. Its sea-kindliness is enhanced by the flared hull design of the Schionning G-Force series, which provides reserve buoyancy in the bows to prevent pitching and "burying" in a following sea.

Interior Comfort & Variations

While performance is the priority, the interior of the CM 46 is designed for long-term habitability. To keep weight centered and low, Current Marine utilizes lightweight interior components, such as honeycomb-cored cabinetry and thin wood veneers. The layout typically follows the "owner’s version" configuration, where the starboard hull is dedicated entirely to a master suite featuring a large longitudinal berth, a dedicated study or vanity area, and a spacious head forward. The port hull generally houses two guest cabins with a shared or separate head.

The bridge deck serves as the social heart of the vessel, featuring an open-plan galley-up arrangement that flows seamlessly into the cockpit. Large windows provide 360-degree visibility, a critical safety feature for high-speed night passages. Current Marine also developed a larger sibling, the CM 52, based on the Schionning G-Force 1500 hull. The CM 52 offers extended waterline length for even higher theoretical hull speeds and additional interior volume, often utilized for four-cabin layouts intended for larger families or high-end performance chartering.

Popular Mentions & Media

The CM 46 gained significant visibility in the sailing community through its association with Martin Wadhams, the founder of RS Sailing. Wadhams commissioned a highly customized CM 46 named Kitalpha, which became a showcase for the model’s capabilities. His transition from high-performance dinghies to a Current Marine catamaran served as a powerful endorsement of the boat's "sailor's boat" credentials. The build process and subsequent voyages of Kitalpha were documented in various European yachting journals, highlighting the boat’s ability to transition from a comfortable cruiser to a competitive entrant in rallies like the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers).

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Purchasing a pre-owned CM 46 requires a specialized survey due to its advanced construction and performance features.

• Daggerboard Trunks: Inspect the daggerboard trunks and the boards themselves for "fuzzing" or structural stress. Since these boats are often pushed hard, the sacrificial tips of the boards and the internal trunk bearings should be checked for impact damage or excessive play.
• Weight Management History: The CM 46 is highly sensitive to overloading. Buyers should investigate the history of equipment additions (e.g., heavy battery banks, oversized dinghies, or dive compressors). A boat that has been "cruiser-fied" with excessive weight will lose the very performance advantages that define the model.
• Epoxy/Core Integrity: While epoxy is superior for osmosis resistance, the foam core must be checked for delamination, particularly in high-load areas around the chainplates and the bridge deck slam zone. A thermal imaging survey is often recommended for these hulls.
• Rig Tension and Hardware: Given the high righting moment of a performance catamaran, the standing rigging and deck hardware (especially the traveler and primary winches) undergo significant stress. Ensure that the carbon spars, if equipped, have undergone a professional ultrasound or visual inspection by a rigger familiar with composites.

Community & Resources

Owners of Current Marine vessels typically integrate into the broader Schionning Owners Group, a dedicated community of performance multihull enthusiasts. This group provides a wealth of technical data regarding the G-Force hull designs, sail plans, and performance polar diagrams. Additionally, the Knysna boat-building cluster remains a resource for technical support, as many of the craftsmen who built these vessels continue to operate in the Western Cape’s maritime sector.

The Verdict

The CM 46 is an uncompromising vessel for the experienced sailor who views the journey as more than just transit between ports. It demands more attention than a standard cruising cat but rewards that effort with exhilarating speed and superior upwind ability.

Pros:

• Exceptional speed and light-air performance.
• High-quality epoxy/foam core construction reduces the risk of osmosis and increases stiffness.
• Daggerboards provide superior upwind tracking and shallow-draft versatility.
• Semi-custom nature allows for a higher level of finish compared to mass-production cats.

Cons:

• Complex systems (daggerboards, performance rigging) require more maintenance.
• Performance is highly sensitive to onboard weight and payload management.
• Limited availability on the brokerage market due to low production numbers.
• The narrow hulls offer less "living volume" than wider, slower cruising catamarans.