The Cal Cruising 46 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 37.5′, the Cal Cruising 46 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.5′ LWL = 8.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
13.8
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
26.7%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
254
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
40.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.61
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
40.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.61
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cal Cruising 46 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Coronado 45
111s/nm
Columbia 45
120s/nm
Morgan 45
120s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (13.8), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Cal Cruising 46 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cal Cruising 46.
|
Cal Cruising 46 |
Cal 46 Iii 1975 |
Cc 46 |
Columbia 45 |
Coronado 45 |
Morgan 45 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.5 |
45.5 |
45.6 |
45.3 |
45.3 |
45.7 |
| LWL |
37.5 |
37.5 |
38.8 |
34.5 |
34.4 |
31.4 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
12.5 |
13.0 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
30 |
30 |
26 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
| Ballast |
8 |
8 |
— |
10 |
12 |
12 |
| Sail Area |
827 |
855 |
939 |
698 |
812 |
893 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
120 |
111 |
120 |
| SA/Disp |
13.8 |
14.2 |
16.9 |
13.1 |
15.3 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
26.7 |
26.7 |
— |
41.2 |
49.2 |
48.0 |
| Comfort |
40.2 |
40.2 |
33.2 |
36.1 |
36.2 |
44.4 |
| Capsize |
1.61 |
1.61 |
1.74 |
1.69 |
1.69 |
1.51 |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
8.2 |
8.4 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
7.5 |