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Nelson Marek 46
Designer: Nelson/Marek  ·  Builder: Carroll Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Nelson Marek 46

Built by Carroll Marine from 1995 in a limited run of just six hulls, this Nelson/Marek collaboration represents a focused approach to performance cruising design. The 46-footer strikes an appealing balance between comfort and sailing ability, with its moderate displacement of 18,500 pounds and substantial 11,000-pound ballast providing both stability and reasonable performance under sail. The design's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, combined with a masthead sloop rig carrying 1,195 square feet of sail area, delivers respectable sailing characteristics for both coastal cruising and offshore passages. With a comfort ratio of 21.38, the boat leans toward the performance end of the cruising spectrum while maintaining adequate accommodations for extended voyaging. The capsize screening formula of 2.06 suggests reasonable offshore capability, though this design is perhaps best suited to coastal and near-shore cruising applications. The Nelson/Marek partnership brought together expertise in both racing and cruising design philosophies, resulting in a boat that doesn't sacrifice sailing enjoyment for creature comforts. Given the limited production run, these boats represent an exclusive choice for sailors seeking something beyond mainstream production offerings, with the fiberglass construction ensuring durability and relatively straightforward maintenance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 46.58 ft / 14.20 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 39.25 ft / 11.96 m
Beam 13.58 ft / 4.14 m
Max Draft 9.17 ft / 2.80 m
Displacement 18,500.00 lb / 8,391 kg
Ballast 11,000.00 lb / 4,990 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,195.00 ft² / 111.02 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Nelson/Marek
Builder Carroll Marine (USA)
First Built 1995
Number Built 6
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
27.44
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
59.46
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
136.59
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
21.38
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.06
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 8.40 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,904.52 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 50
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
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