The Etap 46Ds is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 41.0′, the Etap 46Ds tops out around 8.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √41.0′ LWL = 8.6 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
19.3
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
32.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
183
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
29.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.90
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
29.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.90
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 Etap 46Ds sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
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° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.8 |
7.6 |
8.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.6 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.6 kts),
SA/D (19.3), 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 Etap 46Ds — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Etap 46Ds.
|
Etap 46Ds |
Catalina 470 |
Cr 470 |
Etap 48Ds |
First 477 Beneteau |
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
47.4 |
47.0 |
47.8 |
47.4 |
47.0 |
47.0 |
| LWL |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.9 |
41.0 |
41.3 |
40.7 |
| Beam |
14.4 |
14.2 |
14.7 |
14.8 |
14.8 |
14.4 |
| Displacement |
28 |
27 |
29 |
29 |
25 |
28 |
| Ballast |
9 |
10 |
12 |
9 |
8 |
10 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1,010 |
1 |
839 |
1,033 |
1,152 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
102 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
19.3 |
17.9 |
22.9 |
14.3 |
19.2 |
19.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
32.7 |
40.0 |
42.3 |
31.8 |
33.3 |
35.4 |
| Comfort |
29.1 |
28.7 |
29.4 |
29.1 |
25.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.90 |
1.86 |
1.90 |
1.92 |
2.01 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.6 |
8.7 |
8.7 |
8.6 |
8.6 |
— |