Beneath the wonderfully unique personality of the Nordhavn 46 lies a vessel built to such heavy scantlings and high standards that her performance not only stands out today, but she will continue to deliver outstanding performance for years and years. Because she's built to cross oceans, she's built to last a lifetime.

The basic hull structure is made of solid fiberglass. Vinylester resins are used in the first laminations below the waterline to resist water penetration. Heavy-duty transverse and longitudinal stringers are glassed to the hull to provide strength and rigidity. Divinicell is used as a core material in all vertical cabin structures, and end grain balsa core is used in all horizontal surfaces for added strength. The deck-to-hull joint is fastened with stainless steel through-bolts on 6" centers using 3M's 5200. A l l/4" thick solid teak cap rail provides a beautiful, solid finish. The 2" diameter stainless steel prop shaft drives a 28" 4-bladed bronze prop, and the 2 l/4" stainless steel rudder shaft controls the rudder made from l/2" stainless plate. The rudder assembly is protected and strengthened with a massive bronze rudder shoe.

On deck, starting forward, the massive stainless steel, double anchor roller is custom made to handle a l00 lb. CQR anchor plus additional, lighter ground tackle and mooring lines. The dual capstan windlass leads chain and rode beneath a huge locker which is accessible from a commercial-type storm hatch on deck. This cavernous below-deck locker will stow dock lines, fenders, extra ground tackle and more. Anchoring, even on a pitching foredeck, is a safe, secure task thanks to the heavy-duty safety rails and sure footing of the molded non-skid. Moving aft, the foredeck includes three opening hatches for the forward stateroom, which provide excellent ventilation, especially at anchor. Two dorade vents provide additional ventilation below, even in bad weather. Following the tradition used in building over 300 Mason sailboats, P.A.E.'s Nordhavn 46 is perfectly comfortable in most instances without air conditioning. A heavy-duty door opens the Portuguese Bridge, which offers a safe, secure place to stand watch. To port, a stairway leads up to the deck house where the dinghy is stowed along with a deck box for extra gear. A spar and boom system is used to effortlessly launch the dinghy. Many owners enjoy sitting up on the deck house while at anchor, enjoying the view from this ideal height. The roof of the pilothouse is the perfect location for antennas, a radar dome, spotlight and a life raft, and it is finished in non-skid to allow safe access. Some owners have specified a remote steering station above, while others have ordered the 46 with the optional flybridge. Although most 46s are built without the flybridge, some owners have preferred this for coastal cruising where they can enjoy driving the boat outside in fair weather.

From the Portuguese bridge, the starboard side deck continues past the main saloon aft to the cockpit. Along this path, the crew enjoys protection from the seas with extra high bulwarks and the added security of stainless steel handrails that are through-bolted along the entire length of the cabin. Blue water quickly finds itself overboard thanks to the large scuppers along the decks and in the cockpit. All cleats, hawseholes and chocks are highly polished stainless steel, custom made and designed to properly secure the boat in any docking situation. A large, robust swim platform makes boarding easy through the transom door, and an optional stainless steel swim ladder adds a nice touch. Additional, sheltered access to the boat deck from the cockpit is convenient via the beautifully made stainless steel ladder with teak steps.

So much thought and attention to detail goes into each and every Nordhavn 46, that it's only possible to fully appreciate it by seeing one in person. Upon close inspection, the flawless fiberglass work, the polished stainless steel fittings, the heavyduty doors and windows and the overall sense of quality will be clearly evident. Once the engine is started, one immediately appreciates the heavyduty insulation and construction scantlings. There's no rattling of hardware, loose doors, or ill-fitting windows. Instead there's a quiet sense of confidence that comes from a well-built, rugged ship.