The Contest 46 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 38.9′, the Contest 46 tops out around 8.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √38.9′ LWL = 8.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
40.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
257
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.9
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.70
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
8.4kts
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
38.9
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 Contest 46 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Tartan 4600
Hylas 47
Moody 47
Passport 47
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Contest 46.
| Contest 46 | Beneteau 461 | Hylas 47 | Moody 47 | Passport 47 | Tartan 4600 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 46.4 | 46.6 | 46.8 | 46.5 | 46.6 | 46.2 |
| LWL | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 39.0 | 39.6 |
| Beam | 13.8 | 14.0 | 14.3 | 14.7 | 13.5 | 14.3 |
| Displacement | 33 | 20 | 35 | 27 | 34 | 28 |
| Ballast | 13 | 7 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
| Sail Area | — | 832 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 93 | 99 | 117 | 75 |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.6 | 15.8 | — | 15.3 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 40.3 | 35.8 | 41.7 | 40.0 | — | 30.4 |
| Comfort | 38.9 | 23.3 | 38.9 | — | 39.8 | — |
| Capsize | 1.70 | 2.03 | 1.75 | — | 1.67 | — |
| Hull Speed | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.2 | — | 8.4 | — |