First and foremost, the Nordhavn 46 is a true-blooded, full displacement design. Detailed benefits of a full displacement hull are presented in the Nordhavn full line brochure, but they can be summed up in three words: seakindly, seaworthy and efficient. Capable of running in very rough seas in any direction, her gently-curved chine and ballasted hull form deliver a soft, comfortable motion. There are no harsh, snapping motions characteristic of a hard chine, semi-displacement hull. Instead, she presents a more natural, friendly shape to unfriendly seas. Her seaworthiness can be utilized to great advantage, as her efficiency through the water requires only l00 hp to maintain cruising speeds of between 7.5 and 8.5 knots. As a result of this modest power requirement, her low fuel consumption provides an ocean-crossing range of nearly 3,000 nautical miles. Even for coastal cruising, this freedom from having to find fuel every few hundred miles is a great comfort to captain and crew.
From the beginning of the design phase, P.A.E. wanted this vessel to be easily handled by two people, yet include accommodations for at least two more. An LOA of over 45 feet was agreed upon as an ideal length for accomplishing both goals; and judging from the robust sales of the 46, this length is ideal for many cruising couples and families. She functions as a comfortable home with a level of luxury that keeps all aboard perfectly happy for long, extended stays. And her maneuverability, stability and well-thought-out deck layout make docking and anchoring simple tasks for two people to perform.
At first sight, the Nordhavn 46 gives the impression that she not only is capable of going long and far, but that she enjoys challenging seas. Indeed, she is a boat with a strong personality. Certainly, part of the attraction many sailors and traditionalists have for this vessel is her salty, romantic appearance, especially given her classical overhangs and slightly narrowed stern. But her appearance is also a function of her seakindliness and offshore friendly interior. She performs as impressively and confidently as she looks. To begin with, the 46 strikes a good balance between initial stability and period of roll. While some trawler enthusiasts like hard chine for increasing initial stability, the Nordhavn 46's more rounded bottom contributes to a less "snappy'' movement while at sea. And while the natural roll motion of the 46 hull is quite gentle, it has been found that the added weight of stowing a dinghy and extra gear up on the boat deck dampens the motion to an even more comfortable rate. Some owners have even added a foremast with a crow's nest which has a positive effect. To understand this phenomenon, think of the harsh motion of a sailboat at sea without its mast. Add the weight of the mast, and the rate of acceleration and deceleration decreases, resulting in greater comfort. The 46, with cruising gear stowed properly, is a beautifully balanced vessel.
For overall stability, the 46 benefits from over 4,800 pounds of ballast in its keel. To provide additional stability in difficult sea conditions, most owners select either a passive stabilizer system (paravanes or "flopper-stoppers'') or active fin stabilizers controlled by hydraulics and an electronic gyro sensor. Either system has proven to be highly effective, reducing roll by as much as 90%. A Nordhavn 46 equipped with stabilizers is capable of crossing any ocean. Directional stability is enhanced by its full length keel, and, with the help of the slightly tucked-in stern, the 46 rides down swells as if on rails.
One of the more striking characteristics of the Nordhavn 46 is its high Displacement/Length Ratio. At 383, it is a function of extra-heavy scantlings, or construction details, contributing greatly to her ability to punch through heavy head seas without suffering from deceleration. When comparing boats, buyers should carefully consider
displacement as well as length, as it is an important measure of seaworthiness and overall value. At 60,000 pounds, the rugged Nordhavn 46 is heavier than most 50 to 55 foot boats. Adding to the advantages of her heavy displacement, the reserve buoyancy of her high bow allows her to proceed in extreme conditions when other boats have to return to port. Indeed a Nordhavn 46 has been observed outpacing a l00-foot-plus semi-displacement motoryacht against high winds and 15 foot head seas. In the case of full displacement designs, "heavier'' is better, and in certain sea conditions, actually faster. The owner of a new Nordhavn 62, the big sister to the 46, said of his first Nordhavn voyage, "This was the fastest voyage I ever made in the slowest boat I've ever owned.''
Contributing to her seaworthiness and sure-tracking in heavy wind conditions is her low A/B ratio (Above Water vs. Below Water) of 2.3:l. This indicates that she has almost 50% of her total area below the waterline. Commercial fishing trawlers, with very little space above deck for accommodations, approach A/B ratios of 2 or under. Many of today's popularly styled "trawler yachts'' have ratios exceeding 4, which should give cause for concern if ocean voyages are being considered. With all their glass windows and exposed cabin area, they are vulnerable to high winds and boarding seas. The Nordhavn 46, with its relatively low freeboard and low cabin profile, presents a small surface to the elements. In keeping with the Nordhavn's offshore capability, its saloon and pilothouse windows are designed to accept heavy-duty storm plates when anticipating extreme conditions.
The Nordhavn 46's hull form has proven to be efficient, seakindly and seaworthy. With several circumnavigations and many ocean crossings being achieved by owners with modest boating skills and physical strength, this vessel has a track record to support a high level of confidence by her captain and crew.
