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Tiki 46
Designer: James Wharram  ·  Builder: From Plans  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Tiki 46

James Wharram's Tiki 46 represents a fascinating blend of ancient Polynesian design principles and modern cruising practicality. This distinctive catamaran, first introduced in 1984, embodies Wharram's philosophy of creating seaworthy multihulls inspired by traditional Pacific island vessels. Built from plans using plywood construction, the Tiki 46 features an unconventional two-masted schooner rig that sets it apart from typical catamaran configurations. With its 46-foot length overall and generous 24-foot beam, this design prioritizes stability and interior volume while maintaining the shallow 3.58-foot draft that makes it ideal for exploring shallow anchorages and coastal cruising grounds. The boat's 10,000-pound displacement keeps it relatively light for its size, contributing to respectable sailing performance with its 985 square feet of sail area. The asymmetrical hull design eliminates the complexity of daggerboards while maintaining good sailing characteristics. Wharram designs have earned a devoted following among sailors seeking alternative approaches to cruising, particularly those drawn to simple, robust construction and the ability to beach the boat for maintenance. The Tiki 46 suits adventurous cruisers looking for a capable offshore platform with distinctive character, shallow-water access, and the space that only a catamaran can provide.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 46.00 ft / 14.02 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 38.08 ft / 11.61 m
Beam 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
Max Draft 3.58 ft / 1.09 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 985.00 ft² / 91.51 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type 2 Mst. Schooner
Construction Plywood
Designer James Wharram
Builder from plans
First Built 1984
Associations Tiki 46 catamaran by James Wharam
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
5.5
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
4.46
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. 8.27 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. 19.58 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
KSP 0.97
How It Compares

vs. Celestial 46, Lagoon 450, Saona 47

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tiki 46 ★
46.0 ft
Celestial 46
46.0 ft
Lagoon 450
45.8 ft
Saona 47
46.0 ft
LWL
Tiki 46 ★
38.1 ft
Celestial 46
36.3 ft
Lagoon 450
Saona 47
46.0 ft
Beam
Tiki 46 ★
24.0 ft
Celestial 46
13.5 ft
Lagoon 450
25.8 ft
Saona 47
25.3 ft
Displacement
Tiki 46 ★
10 lbs
Celestial 46
31 lbs
Lagoon 450
32 lbs
Saona 47
30 lbs
Sail Area
Tiki 46 ★
985 sq ft
Celestial 46
842 sq ft
Lagoon 450
1 sq ft
Saona 47
807 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tiki 46 ★
Celestial 46
13.7
Lagoon 450
21.8
Saona 47
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tiki 46 ★
5.5
Celestial 46
38.2
Lagoon 450
Saona 47
13.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tiki 46 ★
4.46
Celestial 46
1.72
Lagoon 450
Saona 47
3.25
Hull Speed
Tiki 46 ★
8.3 kts
Celestial 46
8.1 kts
Lagoon 450
Saona 47
9.1 kts
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