Marc Lombard—known for successful long-distance racing yachts and popular cruising boats—designed the 46 Open. The model made its first appearance at the International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte, France. The boat is offered in several configurations, including a flybridge version dubbed the 46 Fly and a powercat variant.
Design and Construction
At 13.71 metres overall, with a 7.54 metre beam and a light displacement of 10,800 kilograms, the 46 Open is a substantial multihull. Its defining idea is to blend interior and exterior living spaces as seamlessly as possible: the nacelle and cockpit form one continuous volume.
The saloon and galley occupy the forward end of the bridge deck, with panoramic windows ahead and to either side. Inclined forward saloon windows give the boat a sleek appearance. Wide patio doors open to alfresco dining and lounging areas beneath a rigid hardtop bimini, which provides complete cockpit shelter and ample protection from the sun. Removable canvas side screens offer additional protection from weather or insects.
A passage across the transom makes it easy to move from one hull to the other.
Rig, Engines, and Handling
The standard helm arrangement places twin wheels at the aft end of the hulls, where they serve as the hub of sail handling. Compared with a raised helm, this position improves communication with the crew in the cockpit, although visibility from the wheels is more restricted.
The rig is designed around easily handled furling Code 0s and asymmetric spinnakers, intended to increase speed when running and reaching in light airs. The designers also kept the boom relatively low above the bimini while retaining a large sail area. The sailplan comprises a 74 square metre mainsail and a 38 square metre self-tacking jib. Air draught is 22.90 metres.
Propulsion comes from twin 40hp Volvo Penta diesels with sail drive transmissions. Two 300 litre fuel tanks provide sufficient capacity for a range of several hundred miles.
Cockpit and Interior
The 46 Open provides an enormous amount of space, comparable to a respectably sized apartment, and uses it flexibly. Its indoor and outdoor living areas offer all-round views through huge windows, while the ultra-modern finishes suit the boat’s open layout. It’s ideal for anyone who loves alfresco living in warm weather.
The U-shaped galley sits forward, giving the cook a view. Saloon and galley arrangements are flexible, with options for refrigeration and freezer units, and the refrigerator cleverly doubles as a chart table. The interior saloon can also convert into a bunk.
The cockpit lounger is well protected from wind and spray. Leather-covered handrails are another example of the attention to detail.
Accommodation Layouts
The cabins are arranged within the hulls, with a choice of three- or four-cabin layouts. Both versions have two en suite double cabins and a shared shower stall in the starboard hull.
For the four-cabin layout, that arrangement can be mirrored to port. Alternatively, the entire port hull can become an owner’s suite more than 30 feet long. It includes a double berth, a palatial en suite, masses of storage, a large dressing table, and space for an office desk.
Hull windows and overhead hatches keep the cabins airy. Throughout the boat, stowage is impressive and easy to reach, with enough room for people to move around without crowding one another.
Known Issues
The main compromise of the twin aft-helm layout is more restricted visibility than a raised helm provides. The position improves communication with the crew in the cockpit, but sightlines remain its clear drawback.
The boat’s strong emphasis on warm-weather, open-air living may also limit its appeal for off-season sailing in more northern waters.
The Verdict
The Nautitech 46 Open is a thoughtful expansion of the Open philosophy: a light, beamy catamaran that blurs the line between saloon and cockpit while giving a family or charter crew apartment-scale living space and serious sailing intent.
Lombard’s hull and rig offer effortless passage-making potential. The aft helms keep the person steering in the social hub and close to the sail controls, but at the cost of visibility. This is primarily a warm-latitude boat and only reluctantly a northern shoulder-season cruiser.
Pros
- Seamless indoor-outdoor living, with rigid bimini shelter and panoramic bridge-deck views
- Flexible three- or four-cabin layouts, including an owner’s suite more than 30 feet long
- Light construction and a large sailplan intended to support strong passage performance
- Twin aft helms integrate steering, sail handling, and communication with the crew
Cons
- More restricted visibility from the aft helm positions than from a raised helm
- Warm-weather orientation limits off-season use in northern waters
