CAL 2-46
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 45.5 ft |
| LWL | 37.5 ft |
| Beam | 12.5 ft |
| Draft | 5 ft |
| Displacement | 30,000 lb |
| Ballast | 8,001 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 48 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 18 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 40.08 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.42 ft |
| FLforestay | 18 ft |
| Mainsail | 809 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 432 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 734.4 sq ft |
About the CAL 2-46
A development from the earlier CAL 46 MS (CAL CRUISING 46). The differences between this and the earlier version: The engine room has been moved forward to midships, the aft cabin moved further aft. The main salon and the forward cabin have been enlarged. This 'new' design, proved to be a huge success with 95 built. Bill Lapworth has stated that this was his favorite design and a yacht that he actually owned. The boat went through a third iteration in the mid-'70's that included smaller cabin windows and a different interior layout. All the 46's were based on the same hull. Available as sloop or ketch.
Designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine (USA) from 1971–1975, the CAL 2-46 is a substantial 45.5 ft cruising sloop with a production run of 129 hulls. Its heavy displacement of 30000.0 lb and high comfort ratio of 40.21 reflect a design prioritizing stability and seakeeping over speed.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers and bluewater passagemakers who value a spacious, stable platform and are prepared for significant maintenance.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 30000.0 lb, a low capsize ratio of 1.61, and a fin keel, the CAL 2-46 is well-regarded for offshore capability, though its age requires rigorous structural inspection.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 40 and Cal 46 from the same era, as they share similar heavy-displacement characteristics and Jensen Marine construction quality.
Direct variants of the CAL 2-46
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
6 listings · boat years 1970–1976 · median $125,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 45.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
23 reported issues across 10 systems for the CAL 2-46, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CAL 2-46? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 23 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your CAL 2-46?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Perkins, Yanmar, Universal — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the CAL 2-46
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…