FORMOSA 46
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 45 ft |
| LWL | 39.58 ft |
| Beam | 12.92 ft |
| Draft | 6.46 ft |
| Displacement | 33,000 lb |
| Ballast | 9,999 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 53 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 19.3 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 47 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17 ft |
| FLforestay | 19.3 ft |
| Mainsail | 942.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 511.5 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 869.5 sq ft |
Engine
| Commonly | Perkins, Westerbeke, Yanmar, Lehman, Volvo Penta, Ford, Universal, Ford Lehman, Sole |
About the FORMOSA 46
Yet another altered version of the KELLY-PETERSON 44 (PETERSON 44 CUTTER), first offered in 1976. (Often, as in this case, with out the payment of design royalties.) To make the boat longer, it is said that builders simply added an incremental distance between each station on the original plans.
The Formosa 46 is a heavy-displacement cruising yacht designed by Doug Peterson (unauthorized) and built by Formosa Yachts in 1978, with an unknown total hull count. Weighing 33000.0 lb with a 39.58 ft LWL, this 45.0 ft LOA cutter is characterized by its substantial build and traditional cruising layout.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced coastal and offshore cruisers who prioritize seakeeping and comfort over speed, particularly those willing to manage the maintenance demands of a 1978-era fiberglass hull.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 33000.0 lb and a low capsize ratio of 1.61, the Formosa 46 is well-suited for offshore passages, though its age and reported structural issues require careful vetting.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other heavy-displacement 1970s cutters like the Tartan 44 or O'Day 46, the Formosa 46 shares a similar role as a robust, slow-but-steady bluewater cruiser with a high comfort ratio of 40.99.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.6 |
| 60° | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| 75° | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| 90° | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 8.2 |
| 110° | 4.3 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.2 |
| 120° | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 8.1 |
| 135° | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| 150° | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.6 |
| Beat VMG | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Run VMG | 2.7 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 7.4 |
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
8 listings · boat years 1977–2022 · median $90,000
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 45ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
9 reported issues across 6 systems for the FORMOSA 46, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FORMOSA 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 9 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 FORMOSA 46?
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Used sails that fit the FORMOSA 46
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