A modern classic performance cruiser turns 20
It is hard to believe that the Outbound 46 is 20 years old. I remember meeting the inspiration behind the boat, Phil Lambert, at the Strictly Sail show in Oakland California the year he launched the design. As it turned out, the concept was a success and he has been selling and building the boats steadily ever since. And, he has been tweaking the design and details all along the way.
The 46 we know today started life as a 44-footer. It was designed by noted race-boat designer Carl Schumacher to be a fast, easy-to-handle couple’s cruising boat that was capable of crossing all oceans in comfort and speed. The hull is not as beamy as many modern production boat designs and beam does not carry all the way aft. Instead, the bow and stern are well balanced so when the hull heels it does not shift the buoyancy aft affecting the pressure on the rudder. Instead, the hull remains in balance which makes it very easy to steer, either by hand or with the autopilot. Read More
