Production ran from 1980 through 1990. Only 30 hulls were completed at the Queen Long Marine Co. shipyard in Taiwan under Kelly’s close supervision.
Design and Dimensions
Doug Peterson, the California designer behind the original Peterson 44 performance cruiser of 1976, drew the 46 as a deliberate improvement on the earlier hull. The result is a low-profile yacht with a graceful sheerline. Because the cockpit isn’t raised, the hull lines remain uninterrupted at deck level. Owners and reviewers alike note the more elegant sheer and the additional space below compared with the 44.
The Kelly Peterson 46 measures 46 feet 3 inches overall and 40 feet 10 inches on the waterline, with a 13-foot 4-inch beam and a 6-foot 8-inch draft. Displacement is 33,300 pounds, including 11,330 pounds of lead ballast internally bonded with fiberglass.
A sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.1 and a ballast ratio near 34 percent place the boat firmly in the moderate-displacement cruiser class. Its comfort ratio is 38.5, and its capsize screen is 1.7.
Construction
The hull and deck are built from hand-laminated, reinforced fiberglass. The deck has an Airex core between glass layers and is finished in teak or nonskid. Fiberglass bonds the structural members to the hull and deck.
Below, the interior uses teak-veneered plywood and solid teak, with a teak-and-holly cabin sole. The skeg-hung rudder has a high-density foam blade on a stainless post. Recessed deck tracks and hardware help preserve the boat’s clean lines while reducing snag points underfoot.
The KP46 is well built, but it carries plenty of teak and other rare woods on deck and below. That material character helps define the boat, but it rewards fastidious maintenance.
Rig and Handling
The Kelly Peterson 46 is most often described as a cutter, although period summaries also list an available masthead-sloop configuration. The cutter rig carries 1,100 square feet of sail area. Below it, the boat has a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder.
As a bluewater cruiser, its safety inventory includes a cockpit bridgedeck and heavy lifelines. The deep 6-foot 8-inch draft contributes to directional stability and sea-kindly manners. Owners also report, however, that it makes parts of the world harder to reach for cruisers intent on exploring shallow anchorages and remote reefs.
Accommodations and Systems
The center-cockpit layout puts the master berth aft, with a private head and shower. A secondary companionway also provides access to the aft cabin.
Forward, the V-berth cabin includes storage, a hanging locker, and an opening hatch. The forward head is to port and has hot and cold water, along with a sump-pump shower.
Amidships, a U-shaped dinette converts into a double berth, while the starboard settee serves as a single. The port-side galley faces a chart table and locker.
The engine sits farther forward near the centerline, with a workbench to port and a generator opposite. The engine room lies beneath the cockpit sole and is accessible from either the aft cabin or the cockpit. It has a sound-insulated enclosure.
Four separate stainless tanks provide roughly 200 gallons of water. A central gray-water holding tank avoids the need for extra through-hulls. Headroom ranges from about 6 feet 3 inches forward to 5 feet 9 inches aft.
Known Issues
Owners report that the secondary companionway hatch is prone to leaking. Because it opens directly into the aft sleeping area, the source of any leak is worth tracing during a survey.
The rear lazarettes are impractically small, limiting space for shore-power cables and warps. The propane locker holds only two small cylinders, which can constrain galley autonomy on long passages without frequent resupply.
The Verdict
The Kelly Peterson 46 is a rare, thoughtfully evolved bluewater cutter with real teak warmth and a structurally integrated build. Its scarcity, deep draft, and owner-cited shortcomings in access and stowage make it better suited to a deliberate buyer than a casual cruiser.
Pros
- Lengthened Peterson 44 hull with a more elegant sheer and additional space below
- Hand-laminated fiberglass construction, fiberglass-bonded structure, and lead ballast
- Center-cockpit layout with two private cabins, two heads, and roughly 200 gallons of water in stainless tanks
- Bluewater safety features, including a skeg-hung rudder, cockpit bridgedeck, and heavy lifelines
Cons
- Secondary companionway hatch is prone to leaks
- Rear lazarettes are impractically small, and the propane locker holds only two small cylinders
- 6-foot 8-inch draft restricts access to shallow cruising grounds
- Only 30 were built, so finding one and sourcing spares requires patience
