Design and Construction
The 46 DS uses ETAP’s signature double-skin construction. Closed-cell polyurethane foam is injected between inner and outer fiberglass shells, rendering the hull and deck unsinkable; both skins are solid fiberglass.
A length-to-beam ratio of 3.29 and displacement-length ratio of 183 describe a beamy, moderately loaded cruiser rather than a lithe racer. The tandem keel consists of two short fins aligned fore and aft and joined by a wing-bulb. This arrangement keeps draft modest while preserving lateral grip, while a spade rudder provides predictable steering authority.
The boat carries 9,259 pounds of iron ballast and displaces 28,329 pounds, giving her a ballast ratio of 32.7 percent. That figure, together with a capsize screening value of 1.90, places her firmly in the offshore-capable range. Her CE Class A (Ocean) certification confirms the yard’s intent.
Rig and Handling
The 46 DS carries a fractional sloop rig with a combined mainsail and jib area of 105.9 square meters. Her sail-area-displacement ratio is 19.63—enough to drive the 41-foot waterline to a theoretical hull speed of 8.6 knots without demanding extreme amounts of canvas.
The recorded standing-rigging and sheet specifications list 16 mm control lines throughout. Jib and genoa sheets are 14.5 meters long, the mainsheet is 36.2 meters, and the spinnaker sheets are 31.8 meters. All are sized for secure crew handling under load.
A motion comfort ratio of 29.12 and an immersion rate of about 368 kg per centimeter describe a hull that settles gently into a seaway and resists abrupt changes in trim. Those traits are consistent with its volume-driven hull form.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the Bertone interior offers above-average headroom and an open, contemporary layout centered on a proper galley and dedicated toilet facility. The 14.4-foot beam provides substantial salon and cabin volume. The three-cabin owner’s layout, which appears more commonly on the resale market, uses that width to separate the sleeping quarters from the central living space.
Freshwater capacity is 420 liters, while the wastewater holding tank carries 125 liters. Those capacities support extended stays at anchor without frequent fills.
Verdict
The ETAP 46 DS is a thoughtfully engineered ocean cruiser. Its double-skin foam construction removes sinking from the risk register, while the tandem keel makes a 47-footer manageable in shallow Mediterranean and tropical anchorages.
She isn’t 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 reduces draft while maintaining stability
Cons
- Modest sail-area-displacement ratio limits light-air acceleration
- Production ended in 2009, limiting the availability of newer examples
