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Another hidden, but easily accessible, feature is underneath the bench-style helm seat (with its ergonomic back supports). Part of the optional 24,000-Btu, zone-controlled air conditioner system cools the entire area (as well as the interior) if the isinglass enclosure is zipped tight.
The helm layout proved particularly practical when I took the wheel on the way out Dania Cut in Fort Lauderdale. Its nearly symmetrical setup was divided in two by an optional Raymarine E120 display, with Volvo Penta engine readouts at eye-level on both sides, push-button panels in easy reach, and analog readouts centered above. Although there is no access to the back of the station from inside, you can remove sections to get to the wiring. The only instrument that was slightly obscured was the wheel-position indicator, tucked just forward of the wheel.
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When we reached open water, the confused three-to-four-foot seas wouldn't provide us with a place to collect data, so we cruised down the Intracoastal to a canal area where we had flat water and nearly no wind for our reciprocal test runs. Topping out at 36 mph, the C46 zipped ahead of the bumper-to-bumper cars heading down the adjacent U.S. Route 1.
After collecting the data (see "By the Numbers" this story), we headed back out to the open ocean. As I'd expected, I had to close the sunroof and flip on the wipers. Even with the rather wet ride, I noticed no slamming in the discordant chop, which I attribute, in part, to a moderate 15-degree mid-section deadrise. With the wheel hard over, the C46 made four-boatlength turns at WOT with only moderate heel, an attribute that owes much to Volvo Penta's willingness to assist in the design of hulls for its IPS system. The only drawback I found on the water was with the stainless steel bezel surrounding a hatch in the dashboard, which illuminates the saloon below. The stainless steel glared in the sun, reflecting off the steeply sloped windshield, creating a shiny ring in my center of vision. A matte finish would be advisable.
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An outdoor cooktop means cooks don't have to miss the conversation. |
Docking the C46 is about as foolproof as it gets. For starters, sightlines are clear all around, with the exception of the port quarter, which the tender garage obscures. Sessa solved this mild inconvenience with an optional static rear-facing camera fastened to the radar arch, which gives you a clear view of both aft quarters on the Raymarine E120 display (you can also toggle to a stationary engine room camera). Of course, the IPS joystick makes getting the C46 into a slip even easier. High and low speeds allow you to adjust the amount of gumption applied. My test boat even came with the optional 8-hp Side Power bow thruster. So much thrust may seem unnecessary, but for anyone who's ever tried docking in a strong breeze and current—say, the waterfront docks in Beaufort, North Carolina, at mid-tide—will understand why some extra help can come in handy. Once the vessel is in place, crew can enlist port and starboard warping winches to tighten up on the lines, snugging up to a perfect Med-moor no matter where the wind is blowing.
While stepping off, I noticed that there were stylish fins on the aft quarters where small steps should be, perhaps the only element where looks and function didn't align. Sessa has created a boat that, while seemingly unconventional at first, proves that fashion and ingenuity can go hand in hand. With good stowage, smart components, well-laid-out everything, and simple-to-use IPS drives, the C46 is a practical coastal cruiser, whether you're seated at the helm or lounging on one of her three sunpads.
For more information on Sessa Marine, including contact information,click here.
NOTEWORTHY: Engine Room Access
Sessa nailed it when it comes to getting around the C46's ER. A day hatch to starboard, with a small ladder, lets you drop in on the outboard side of the 435-hp Volvo Penta IPS600 diesel. Racors for both the 8-kW Mase genset (to port) and starboard engine are located at the foot of the ladder, as are all eight of the batteries. If the main hatch is open, there's room to walk around the front of this engine without hunkering; if it's closed, there's still room to wiggle. A polyurethane fuel tank takes up the forward bulkhead area—there's a structural bulkhead forward of it—and its translucence lets you sight fuel amounts. Oil and coolant access are also easy to reach. —G.R.
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This article originally appeared in the February 2009
issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
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