Design and Construction
The 46 DS is built around ETAP’s signature double-skin method: closed-cell polyurethane foam is injected between inner and outer fiberglass shells so the hull and deck are rendered unsinkable, with both skins themselves of solid fiberglass. At a length-to-beam ratio of 3.29 and a displacement-length ratio of 183, she is a beamy, moderately loaded cruiser rather than a lithe racer. Her tandem keel—two short fins aligned fore and aft and joined by a wing-bulb—keeps draft modest while preserving lateral grip, and the spade rudder gives her predictable steering authority. With 9,259 pounds of iron ballast against 28,329 pounds of displacement, the 32.7 percent ballast ratio and 1.90 capsize screening value place her firmly in the offshore-capable range, and the CE Class A (Ocean) certification confirms the yard’s intent.
Rig and Handling
The boat carries a fractional sloop rig with a combined mainsail and jib area of 105.9 square meters, yielding a sail-area-displacement ratio of 19.63—enough to drive her 41-foot waterline at a theoretical hull speed of 8.6 knots without demanding extreme canvas. Standing rigging and sheet spec from the record show 16 mm control lines throughout: jib and genoa sheets of 14.5 meters, a 36.2 meter mainsheet, and 31.8 meter spinnaker sheets, all sized for secure crew handling under load. The motion comfort ratio of 29.12 and immersion rate of about 368 kg per centimeter describe a hull that settles gently into a seaway and resists abrupt trim changes, traits consistent with her volume-driven hull form.
Accommodations
Below, the Bertone interior gives the 46 DS above-average headroom and an open, contemporary plan centered on a proper galley and a dedicated toilet facility. Freshwater capacity is 420 liters with 125 liters of wastewater holding, supporting extended anchorages without frequent fills. The 14.4-foot beam translates into real salon and cabin volume, and the three-cabin owner layout—more commonly seen on the resale market—uses that width to separate sleeping quarters from the central living space.
The Verdict
The ETAP 46 DS is a thoughtfully engineered ocean cruiser whose double-skin foam construction removes sinking from the risk register and whose tandem keel makes a 47-footer manageable in shallow Mediterranean and tropical anchorages. She is not a light-air sprinter, but her sail plan and comfort ratios suit long passages and liveaboard use. The Bertone-styled interior remains modern two decades on, and the CE Ocean rating underwrites the build.
Pros
- Unsinkable double-skin foam construction
- CE Class A (Ocean) certification
- Beamy, open Bertone interior with above-average headroom
- Tandem keel for reduced draft with maintained stability
Cons
- Modest sail-area-displacement ratio limits light-air acceleration
- Production ended in 2009, limiting newer-model availability
