1984 Spindrift 46 Cutter "Luna Sea"
The content on this page was taken from a for-sale listing and from sailboatdata.com. It is reproduced here as a matter of interest for Peterson Cutter afficionados.
One of Only 12 Ever Built
A Proven Ocean-Going Cruiser with Character and Capability
The Spindrift 46 "Luna Sea" is a beautifully appointed, well-maintained long-range cruising cutter, purpose-built for extended offshore adventures. Based on the legendary Kelly-Peterson mold and constructed in New Zealand, only a dozen of these vessels were ever produced — each a robust testament to craftsmanship, comfort, and seaworthiness.
From her solid FRP hull and cored superstructure to her keel-stepped double-spreader mast and overbuilt rigging, Luna Sea is a serious bluewater vessel ready to cross oceans or cruise the Pacific Northwest in complete comfort.
Boat Details
| Make |
Spindrift |
Model |
Cutter |
| Year |
1984 |
Condition |
Used |
| Price |
US$135,000 |
Type |
Sail |
| Class |
Cutter |
Length |
46 ft |
| Fuel Type |
Diesel |
Hull Material |
Fiberglass |
Measurements
| LOA |
46 ft |
Length at Water Line |
39 ft 7 in |
| Length on Deck |
46 ft |
Beam |
12 ft 11 in |
| Max Draft |
6 ft 6 in |
Min. Draft |
6 ft 6 in |
| Freeboard |
4 ft |
Total Sail Area |
100 ft² |
| Headsail Area |
600 ft² |
Mainsail Area |
400 ft² |
| Max Bridge Clearance |
63 ft |
Cabin Headroom |
6 ft 4 in |
| Gross Tonnage |
19 t |
Propulsion
| Engine Type |
Inboard |
Engine Make |
Lehman |
| Engine Model |
s90 |
Fuel Type |
Diesel |
| Engine Year |
1984 |
Power |
90 hp |
| Drive Type |
Direct Drive |
Engine Location |
Center |
| Propeller Type |
3 Blade |
Propeller Material |
Bronze |
| Engine usage (hours) |
3400 |
Features
| Covers |
- Bimini Top
- Spray hood
- Mainsail Cover
- Cockpit cover
- Lazyjacks
- Genoa cover
- Camper cover
|
| Electrical Equipment |
- Shore power inlet
- Inverter
|
| Electronics |
- Depthsounder
- Radar
- Log-speedometer
- Wind speed and direction
- TV set
- Navigation center
- Plotter
- Autopilot
- Radio
- Compass
- CD player
- GPS
- Cockpit speakers
- VHF
- Flat screen TV
- AIS
|
| Inside Equipment |
- Electric bilge pump
- Oven
- Manual bilge pump
- Microwave oven
- Marine head
- Electric head
- Heating
- Hot water
- Refrigerator
- Deep freezer
- Sea water pump
- Battery charger
|
| Outside Equipment/Extras |
- Teak sidedecks
- Outboard engine brackets
- Davits
- Radar reflector
- Wind generator
- Tender
- Solar panel
- Liferaft
- Cockpit table
- Swimming ladder
|
| Rigging |
|
| Sails |
- Fully battened mainsail
- Storm jib
- Battened mainsail
- Spinnaker
- Gennaker/Cruising spinnaker
- Genoa
- Asymmetric Spinnaker
- Furling genoa
- Trisail
|
Other Specifications
| Guest Cabins |
2 |
Guest Heads |
2 |
| Max Passengers |
12 |
Seating Capacity |
8 |
| Fuel Tanks |
130 gal |
Fresh Water Tanks |
170 gal |
| Holding Tanks |
50 gal |
Windlass |
Electric Windlass |
| Liferaft Capacity |
6 |
Detailed Description
Power & Mechanical Systems
- Engine: 90HP Lehman S90 Diesel (Approx. 3,240 hrs)
- Transmission: BorgWarner Velvet Drive
- Steering: Wheel and tiller options; chain-driven quadrant
- Fuel Tanks: Dual 130-gallon stainless steel tanks
- Water Tanks: Dual 170-gallon stainless steel tanks
- Bilge Pumps: Guzzler manual, automatic diaphragm, clean & dry bilge
Sail & Rigging Inventory
- Rig: Aluminum keel-stepped double spreader mast with mast steps
- Sails (Full Inventory):
- Stack Pack Mainsail
- 130% Working Jib (roller furling)
- 150% Genoa
- (2) Staysails
- Cruising Spinnaker
- Storm Jib
- Storm Trysail
- Anchor sail
- Winches:
- (3) Lewmar #46
- (2) Lewmar #55 (All self-tailing)
- Other: Harken roller furling, full canvas enclosure (dodger, bimini, isinglass panels), stainless electronics mast, aft deck floodlights, outboard charging system
Interior & Comfort
- Forward Cabin: Private stateroom w/ custom Handcraft mattress, storage, and ensuite access to forward head with LectroSan treatment
- Main Salon: Twin facing settees with a folding teak dining table; Dickinson diesel heater for year-round comfort
- Galley:
- Dual stainless steel sinks with pressure and manual pumps
- New Force 10 three-burner propane stove with oven
- Separate refrigeration and freezer systems (engine and AC driven)
- Hot water heater (11-gallon, 115V)
- Aft Cabin: Queen berth with custom mattress, private head, and companionway access to cockpit
- Pilot Berth: Located along starboard passageway with engine access
Electrical & Solar Systems
- (8) 6V Golf Cart Batteries (900Ah @ 12VDC)
- Group 27 Wet Cell Starting Battery
- 125A Alternator with Smart Regulator
- (2) Solar Panels (55W each) + Wind Generator
- Freedom 2500 Inverter/Charger
- Link 2000 Battery Monitor
- Shore Power Inlet (30 Amp) with (2) 50' Cables
- Guest 30 Amp Isolator
Navigation & Electronics
- Furuno 24-Mile Radar
- Garmin GPSMap 220
- Raymarine C-120 Multifunction Display (Radar/Chartplotter/Depth)
- Raymarine ST-60+ Wind/Speed/Depth
- Autohelm 5000 Autopilot
- ICOM VHF IC-M126, Apelco VHF, SGC Ham/SSB
- Datamarine Speed, Depth, Wind Instruments
- Ritchie 6" and Airguide 3" Compasses
- McMurdo EPIRB
Ground Tackle
- (3) Anchors: CQR 60, Fortress Aluminum, Lewmar 20KG
- 450' 3/8" Galvanized Chain (New in 1999)
- 850' 5/8" Nylon Rode
- Lofrans 12V Windlass (Bi-directional)
Tenders & Extras
- 9' Apex Inflatable w/ 8HP Johnson Outboard
- Stainless Davits & Swim Ladder
- 6-man Offshore Liferaft (Needs Recertification)
- Lifesling, Strobes, Horns, BBQ, Stainless Portlights
- Weems & Plath Brass Clock & Barometer Set
- Multiple PFDs, Flashlights, First Aid Kit, Canvas Hatch Covers
Location
Currently moored in Portland, Oregon and shown by appointment.
Final Thoughts
The Spindrift 46 "Luna Sea" is a compelling mix of rarity, offshore capability, and tasteful upgrades. Her robust design, extensive sail inventory, self-sufficient power systems, and comfortable layout make her a top-tier choice for serious cruisers. Whether you're heading offshore or seeking the ultimate PNW liveaboard, Luna Sea is ready.
SailboatData.com - SPINDRIFT 46
Sailboat Specifications
| Hull Type |
Long Keel |
Rigging Type |
Cutter |
| LOA |
45.00 ft / 13.72 m |
LWL |
39.58 ft / 12.06 m |
| S.A. (reported) |
896.00 ft² / 83.24 m² |
Beam |
12.83 ft / 3.91 m |
| Displacement |
30,700.00 lb / 13,925 kg |
Ballast |
10,204.00 lb / 4,628 kg |
| Max Draft |
6.00 ft / 1.83 m |
Construction |
FG |
| First Built |
1982 |
Builder |
Spindrift |
| Designer |
Ron Hillier/D. Peterson (unauthorized) |
Auxiliary Power/Tanks (orig. equip.)
| Make |
Ford Lehman |
| Model |
S90 |
| Type |
Diesel |
| HP |
90 |
Sailboat Calculations
| S.A. / Displ. |
14.68 |
Bal. / Displ. |
33.24 |
| Disp: / Len |
221.04 |
Comfort Ratio |
38.49 |
| Capsize Screening Formula |
1.64 |
S# |
2.20 |
| Hull Speed |
8.43 kn |
Pounds/Inch Immersion |
1,814.47 pounds/inch |
Rig and Sail Particulars
| I |
53.90 ft / 16.43 m |
J |
17.80 ft / 5.43 m |
| P |
49.50 ft / 15.09 m |
E |
16.80 ft / 5.12 m |
| S.A. Fore |
479.71 ft² / 44.57 m² |
S.A. Main |
415.80 ft² / 38.63 m² |
| S.A. Total (100% Fore + Main Triangles) |
895.51 ft² / 83.20 m² |
S.A./Displ. (calc.) |
14.67 |
| Est. Forestay Length |
56.76 ft / 17.30 m |
Sailboat Links
| Builders |
Formosa Boat Building Co. Ltd. |
| Associations |
Kelley-Peterson 44 Cutter Web Site |
| Related Sailboats |
PETERSON 44 CUTTER, FORMOSA 46 |
Notes
The SPINDRIFT 46 was built by Formosa Yachts using the same molds that built the FORMOSA 46. (1980-1984). R. Hillier, of Brisbane Australia, oversaw the building of this yacht which was to be sold in the US for Bristol yachts of Newport Beach CA. For the Australian market, they were called the HILLIER/PETERSON 46. Hillier ran afoul of designer Doug Peterson who filed a law suit. Hillier died and the suit was shelved.
Thanks to SPINDRIFT 46 owner, Mark Warburton, kp44.org owner Jeff, and archivist Graham Court.
