The Peterson 46 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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 40.6′, the Peterson 46 tops out around 8.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √40.6′ LWL = 8.5 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
87s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
13.6
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Comfort Ratio
39.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.62
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
39.6
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
1.62
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 Peterson 46 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Alden 46
84s/nm
Peterson 46
87s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
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° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.4 |
6.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.5 kts),
SA/D (13.6), 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 Peterson 46 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Peterson 46.
|
Peterson 46 |
Alden 46 |
Gulfstar 47 Sailmaster |
Landfall 48 Cc |
Mariner 47 Brewer |
Swan 46 Mkii |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
47.5 |
47.7 |
47.4 |
47.5 |
47.5 |
47.1 |
| LWL |
40.6 |
37.1 |
40.5 |
37.3 |
37.0 |
37.8 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
13.5 |
13.8 |
14.0 |
13.8 |
14.4 |
| Displacement |
33 |
32 |
38 |
31 |
29 |
31 |
| Ballast |
— |
13 |
10 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
| Sail Area |
878 |
1 |
923 |
958 |
— |
978 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
87 |
84 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
13.6 |
17.2 |
13.1 |
15.4 |
— |
15.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
40.6 |
27.6 |
— |
39.0 |
— |
| Comfort |
39.6 |
38.4 |
41.7 |
36.0 |
— |
34.1 |
| Capsize |
1.62 |
1.70 |
1.65 |
1.77 |
— |
1.83 |
| Hull Speed |
8.5 |
8.2 |
8.5 |
8.2 |
— |
8.2 |