The Ericson 46 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, 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 35.0′, the Ericson 46 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √35.0′ LWL = 7.9 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
72s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
17.1
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
52.4%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
328
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
40.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.68
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
40.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.68
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 Ericson 46 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Ericson 46
72s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Little Harbor 46
108s/nm
Morgan 45
120s/nm
Oyster 46
135s/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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts),
SA/D (17.1), 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 Ericson 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 Ericson 46.
|
Ericson 46 |
Grampian 46 |
Little Harbor 46 |
Morgan 45 |
Oyster 46 |
X 452 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.8 |
46.0 |
45.7 |
45.7 |
46.0 |
45.7 |
| LWL |
35.0 |
33.0 |
36.5 |
31.4 |
39.6 |
35.3 |
| Beam |
13.3 |
12.0 |
13.8 |
11.0 |
14.0 |
13.9 |
| Displacement |
31 |
25 |
32 |
25 |
31 |
19 |
| Ballast |
16 |
9 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
881 |
966 |
893 |
980 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
72 |
— |
108 |
120 |
135 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.1 |
16.6 |
15.2 |
16.8 |
15.6 |
22.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
52.4 |
36.0 |
42.5 |
48.0 |
40.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
40.8 |
38.3 |
39.0 |
44.4 |
35.4 |
23.8 |
| Capsize |
1.68 |
1.64 |
1.73 |
1.51 |
1.77 |
2.07 |
| Hull Speed |
7.9 |
7.7 |
8.1 |
7.5 |
8.4 |
8.0 |