Designed for serious bluewater cruising, the St Francis 460 is a South African-built catamaran that has earned a strong reputation among offshore sailors seeking a capable and comfortable passage-maker. Developed by the respected St Francis Marine yard, this vessel reflects decades of design refinement aimed at long-distance cruising couples and families who want to cover serious ocean miles without sacrificing livability.
The St Francis 460 is widely regarded for its robust construction and thoughtful layout, balancing seakeeping performance with the spacious interior accommodations that make extended voyaging genuinely enjoyable. South African-built catamarans from this era and region have generally been praised for their structural integrity and practical, sailing-focused design philosophy, and the 460 fits squarely within that tradition.
Well suited to offshore passages and extended coastal cruising, this catamaran appeals to sailors who prioritize reliability and sea-kindly behavior over outright speed. Its reputation within the cruising community suggests a vessel built to handle challenging ocean conditions with confidence, making it a compelling option for those planning ambitious offshore itineraries or extended liveaboard adventures.
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
140.96
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
12.88
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
3.4
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.
9.04 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.
25.6 pounds/inch
