Navaho 46 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Navaho 46 are defined by its Macalpine-Downie heritage, emphasizing a "sea-kindly" motion rather than the twitchy performance of its racing cousin, the Tornado. Unlike modern, light-displacement catamarans that rely on massive sail areas and daggerboards, the Navaho 46 utilizes low-aspect-ratio keels and a conservative ketch rig. This sail plan was specifically chosen to lower the center of effort, making the boat easier to manage for short-handed crews and providing a wide variety of reefing combinations for heavy weather.

In his seminal text Cruising in Catamarans, author Charles Kanter notes that the larger Sailcraft models, including the Navaho, were noted for their "unflappable" nature in a blow. The boat tracks exceptionally well due to the length of its hulls and the design of the fixed keels, though it lacks the pointing ability of a modern performance cruiser. Owners often report that while the Navaho 46 requires a bit of wind to get moving—owing to its relatively high displacement for a catamaran—it becomes a freight train once established on a reach, comfortably maintaining high single-digit speeds while the bridge deck remains dry. The high bridge deck clearance, a hallmark of Macalpine-Downie’s design philosophy, significantly reduces the "slamming" effect common in earlier multihulls when heading into a chop.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The Navaho 46 was designed to maximize the "floating home" concept, offering a level of privacy that few 46-footers could match in the 1970s and 80s. The bridge deck is dominated by a sprawling saloon with panoramic windows, a design feature that was decades ahead of its time. Because of its 46-foot length and significant beam, the vessel avoids the "tunnel-like" feel often found in smaller catamarans of this vintage.

Layouts typically featured four or five private cabins. In the standard cruising configuration, each hull contained two large double cabins separated by a central head and shower unit, providing excellent separation for families or charter guests. Materials used in the joinery reflect the era’s preference for high-quality teak veneers and robust moldings, which have generally aged well if protected from UV damage. The Navaho 46 shares its fundamental hull architecture with its smaller sibling, the Apache 45, though the Navaho features extended sterns and an expanded cockpit area, which improves buoyancy and provides a more stable platform for modern amenities like solar arches and heavy dinghy davits.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Navaho 46 must approach the vessel with an understanding of late-20th-century fiberglass construction. While Sailcraft was a pioneer in GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), several areas require specific professional scrutiny:

• Osmosis and Gelcoat Blistering: Like many British boats built during this period, Navaho hulls are known to develop osmotic blistering. While rarely structural in these over-engineered hulls, a bottom survey is essential to determine if a full peel or epoxy treatment is required.
• Bridge Deck Flex: The connection between the hulls and the bridge deck is the most stressed part of the vessel. Buyers should check for stress cracking or "spiderwebbing" in the gelcoat at the four inner corners of the bridge deck, which may indicate structural fatigue or a history of hard use in heavy seas.
• Chainplate Inspection: The ketch rig places unique loads on the chainplates and stays. Given the age of these vessels, the internal backing plates for the shrouds should be inspected for signs of water ingress or crevice corrosion, which can be hidden behind interior cabinetry.
• Window Leaks: The large panoramic windows on the bridge deck are notorious for developing leaks over decades. Re-bedding these expansive acrylic panels is a labor-intensive but necessary maintenance task to prevent damage to the teak interior.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Navaho 46 often find common ground within the Catamaran Association (UK), which remains one of the primary repositories for historical data on Sailcraft Ltd. and Rod Macalpine-Downie’s designs. Because of the boat's rarity and its connection to Reg White’s Olympic legacy, it is often a featured subject in British multihull archives. Technical support for the older Sailcraft models is also frequently discussed within the broader multihull community on platforms like the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC), where long-term owners share refit strategies for modernizing these classic hulls.

The Verdict

The Navaho 46 is a "gentle giant" of the classic catamaran world. It is a vessel designed for the sailor who prioritizes stability, volume, and historical pedigree over modern aesthetics and high-speed sprinting. While it requires a significant maintenance budget to update its aging systems, it offers a robust platform for long-range cruising that remains competitive in terms of living space with much newer, more expensive vessels.

Pros:

• Immense Living Space: The saloon and cabin volume rival modern 50-footers.
• Ocean-Proven Design: High bridge deck clearance and a conservative ketch rig make for a safe, stable passage-maker.
• Historical Pedigree: Built by one of the most respected names in British multihull history.

Cons:

• Maintenance Intensive: Aging fiberglass and complex systems require constant attention.
• Sailing Limitations: Does not point well to windward and requires a stiff breeze to perform.
• Berthing Challenges: Its beam and length make finding affordable marina slips difficult in many regions.