BoatsSpindrift 46

Spindrift 46

Cutter · Long Keel · First built 1982

A long-keeled cutter built from Formosa 46 molds, marketed internationally under multiple names following a design dispute

Designed by Ron Hillier & D. Peterson (Unauthorized).

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Long Keel

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a narrow beam gives 38 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 38
CoastalBluewater

At 1.64 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.64
LightHeavy

221 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 221
EasygoingPowered-up

14.7 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 14.7
TenderStiff

33% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 33%

A capable offshore cruiser with an easy motion when the sea gets up.

  • Heavier than ~80% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~79% of boats her size on file

Compared with 289 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
33.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
14.7
Displacement / length
221.0
Comfort ratio
38.5
Capsize screening
1.64
Hull speed
8.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1814
Hull
Hull type
Long Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1982
Designer
Ron Hillier, D. Peterson (unauthorized)
Builder
Spindrift, Formosa Boat Building Co. Ltd

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Island Packet 4413.41 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 13.4-meter blue-water cutter with a 1.47-meter draft, balancing heavy-displacement stability with shoal-water access
Island Packet 43914.33 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA modern 2021-launched cutter with a heavy-displacement hull and a 1.52-meter draft for stable, deep-water cruising
Hans Christian 4312.99 mSame hull family0.7 m shorterA 12.99-meter staysail ketch with a long keel and high comfort ratio, built from 1974 to 1992 for steady offshore work
Cape George 3811.58 mSame hull family2.1 m shorterA 1985 cutter with a 1.58-meter draft and high comfort ratio, designed by Atkin and Lange for steady offshore work
Baba 4012.14 mSame hull family1.6 m shorterA 13-ton cutter with a 41.5 comfort ratio, built between 1980 and 1982 for steady, long-distance passage making
Explorer 45 (Huntingford)13.79 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA long-keeled staysail ketch designed by Stan Huntingford for stable, comfortable blue-water passage making

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

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