CARDINAL 46
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 46.42 ft |
| LWL | 38.08 ft |
| Beam | 13.16 ft |
| Draft | 6 ft |
| Deep keel | 7.42 ft(2.26 m) |
| Displacement | 27,500 lb |
| Ballast | 12,223.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 55.67 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 18.33 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 49.75 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.08 ft |
| FLforestay | 18.3 ft |
| Mainsail | 969.1 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 510.2 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 867.4 sq ft |
About the CARDINAL 46
The Cardinal 46 is a substantial cruising sloop designed by Alan Warwick and built by Sen Koh Shipbuilding Co. in Taiwan, with production records indicating a build year of 1985. As a rare vessel with an unknown total hull count, it represents a specific era of Taiwanese boatbuilding characterized by robust construction and traditional cruising aesthetics.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers and couples seeking a comfortable, stable platform with ample interior volume, rather than high-performance racing or solo bluewater expeditions.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 27500.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.75, the Cardinal 46 offers good stability for offshore passages, though its single build year and limited fleet size suggest owners should verify structural integrity and systems thoroughly before long-range cruising.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Hallberg-Rassy 46 and the Tartan 46, as they share similar displacement, beam, and cruising-oriented design philosophies from the mid-1980s.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CARDINAL 46 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 46.42ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
1 reported issues across 1 systems for the CARDINAL 46, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CARDINAL 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 1 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 CARDINAL 46?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the CARDINAL 46
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…