Even in a sterile exhibit hall the Sense 46 comes across as inviting. Her gigantic asymmetrical cockpit with soft snap-on cushions easily handled the rush of attendees. Good thing too, because the interest in the second smallest model of this line was immense.

Beneteau Sense 46

The Sense 46 from above - photo Nicolas Claris



Sensse 46When the French manufacturer introduced the first Sense about two years ago, even dealers considered it a product for a small niche of the private-owner market. With the recently presented Sense 46 there are four models already between 43 and 55 feet in length in this series (see Sense 55: Luxury Beneteau Range gets Larger), which sells better than expected. “With these boats we add new clients, especially coming out of the catamaran sector,” one dealer explained during the Hamburg boat show.
The 46 hardly differs from the other models, apart from in size. The concept of sailing and living on a near-level platform is self evident, just as the elimination of aft cabins and pilot berths. The area below the cockpit is reserved for storage and systems, while the giant lazarette on the port side can be converted to a provisional berth.

Sense 46

The main living area occupies a quarter of the boat's length - photo Nicolas Claris



The main living area of the Sense occupies approximately one quarter of the boat’s length. Saloon, pantry and navigation are concentrated in the large area under the raised coach roof. The large aft windows to the cockpit are a specialty, tying together those two areas visually while admitting lots of light into the interior along with the other windows, thus creating a bright atmosphere.

Additional windows in the main bulkhead open up the space forward and supply the guest cabin and the head with additional daylight. The owner’s stateroom is only two flat steps lower in the forepeak, where windows and skylights add significant amounts of daylight, while the en-suite bath ensures privacy. For more details see Beneteau.

Sense 46 Specifications
LOA: 14.12m
LWL: 13.82m
Beam: 4.43m
Draft: 2.05/1.75 m
Displacement: 11.8 tonnes
Ballas/ratio: 3.5 t/29 per cent
Mast height above water: 20.38m
Engine: 75 hp/Saildrive
Price: staring at €272,390

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