The Alden 46 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 37.1′, the Alden 46 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.1′ 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.
PHRF Rating
84s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
17.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
280
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.70
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
38.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.70
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 Alden 46 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Oyster 48 Lightwave
62s/nm
Swan 46
68s/nm
Tartan 48
80s/nm
Alden 46
84s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Hinckley 48
108s/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° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (17.2), 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 Alden 46 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Alden 46.
|
Alden 46 |
Bristol 477 |
Hinckley 48 |
Oyster 48 Lightwave |
Swan 46 |
Tartan 48 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
47.7 |
47.0 |
48.3 |
48.0 |
47.1 |
48.0 |
| LWL |
37.1 |
37.3 |
34.2 |
41.7 |
37.8 |
36.0 |
| Beam |
13.5 |
13.2 |
13.0 |
14.3 |
14.4 |
14.0 |
| Displacement |
32 |
34 |
36 |
27 |
31 |
28 |
| Ballast |
13 |
15 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
— |
| Sail Area |
1 |
968 |
1 |
1 |
978 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
84 |
— |
108 |
62 |
68 |
80 |
| SA/Disp |
17.2 |
14.6 |
15.0 |
18.9 |
15.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.6 |
43.3 |
29.4 |
— |
36.4 |
— |
| Comfort |
38.4 |
43.0 |
47.6 |
27.6 |
34.1 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.70 |
1.62 |
1.58 |
1.91 |
1.83 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
8.2 |
7.8 |
8.7 |
8.2 |
— |