Salona 46 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Salona builds the 46 with vacuum-infused laminates and vinylester resins, carrying a clear gel coat below the waterline so the underlying fiberglass can be visually inspected, and bonding a stainless steel frame inside the hull to distribute the loads from the keel, mast, and rigging vacuum-infused laminates. Lifting the saloon sole boards shows that frame, through the center of which the keel is secured with ten M30 bolts, while moulded reinforcement runs from the frame up the topsides to the chainplates. The hull has short overhangs for a long waterline and a slightly raked stern that gives looks that should last; the stem sits a few degrees off vertical, narrow at the waterline but wide enough at deck level to tuck the furling drum below the deck. A watertight bulkhead sits at both bow and stern, and below the deck line the only moulded liners are in the heads, which eases access to the hull interior and lets bulkheads bond cleanly, while moulded headliners receive the slotted bulkheads.

Rig and Handling

The 46 carries that high-fractional rig with a minimal-overlap headsail and a keel-stepped Seldén mast; bend is induced by a hydraulic tensioner or twin cascades on the Dyneema backstay. A full-width traveller is recessed into the cockpit sole between the winches and helm stations, Lewmar 45 self-tailers handle the German-style mainsheet led aft each side, a pair of Lewmar 50s on the coamings serves the headsail, and another pair of 45s sits on the coachroof, with the port main halyard often an electric upgrade. On the water, the reasonably high-geared Jefa steering turns lock to lock in less than 1.5 turns and the deep single rudder keeps her tolerant when provoked, as Yachting Monthly found in its test deep rudder made the boat tolerant. A single deep rudder with a balanced hull form gives ample grip and feedback through the wheel that twin rudders can lack. Foot-braces hinge up from the cockpit sole to hold a crew on the high side, and the substantial wooden toerail is lowered and flattened abaft the chainplates for comfortable hiking.

Accommodations

Below, the layout is light and airy, finished as standard in light European oak, with tubular handholds along each side below the windows and one overhead, and companionway steps given bevelled edges for secure footing, though the non-slip could be a touch stronger. Twin double aft cabins are standard, with space down the centerline that can be given over to a generator room. The chart table is on the small side and mounted at the aft end of the starboard saloon berth, a concession purists may regret. A removable table with folding leaves and a stainless frame doubles as a central hand-hold or foot-brace.

Power, Drivetrain, and Options

A 57hp Yanmar is standard and drove the test boat to nearly 9 knots at full chat and 6.7 knots at a comfortable 1,600 rpm, delivered through a saildrive and a folding prop — a two-blader as standard or a three-blader as on the test boat. For those inclined otherwise, a system developed by Oceanvolt in Finland offers electric propulsion with hydro-generation under sail. A retractable bow-thruster was fitted to the test boat, and the deck locker abaft the bow watertight bulkhead swallows warps, fenders, and a downwind sail or two.

The Verdict

The Salona 46 is a considered performance cruiser that pairs a serious structural frame and bolted keel with a racy but manageable rig and a clean, accessible interior. She is built for sailors who want feedback and speed without surrendering the single-rudder manners and traditional stern lines to fashion.

Pros

Stainless steel internal frame with ten M30 keel bolts and topside chainplate reinforcement
Clear gel coat below the waterline for laminate inspection
Crisp Jefa steering with a deep, tolerant single rudder
Long-waterline hull with short overhangs and narrow waterline beam for performance
Light, accessible interior with standard twin aft doubles and oak finish

Cons