Jelle Hutting stands on the jetty next to the new 46 and seems to pause for a moment. Then he says, seemingly half to himself and half to the bystanders: "She looks best from here." Then he smiles, because it's done: the shipyard's first new build in 20 years is afloat, and the owner is happy. It seems to be the first moment that the young Frisian has taken to calmly contemplate the work that he has been involved in for so long, in which he has considered, prepared and ultimately implemented countless decisions.
Jelle Hutting and his siblings are in the process of taking over the shipyard, Hutting Yachts from Makkum, from their father. The new Hutting 46 is something of a signpost in this process. Father Tjerk is slowly saying goodbye to the shipyard and the youngsters are taking over. Before he hands over the helm, however, a new building is needed. A compass course from the bridge that indicates how the founder, former mastermind and soul of the shipyard envisions the future. The Hutting-typical triad of graceful lines, excellent seaworthiness and the finest quality remains untouched. However, it was clear to father Hutting that hardly anyone wants to buy a long keeler these days, and that a certain sportiness coupled with sailing fun and thus also achievable longer distances are at the top of the wish list for long-distance yachts.
Also interesting:
Finally, the proven design by Dick Koopmans, known everywhere for his very seaworthy designs, was polished up to the present day by the flow magicians at Van Oossanen. A deep foredeck for good seakeeping, a few changes to the stern, a specially designed keel bulb to bring an optimally clean current to the rudder and, as an option, a wing keel with trim tab, which has almost half a metre less draught, but which gives the same figures in the VPP on the vast majority of courses. As I said: magic. Thus equipped, the new 46 starts her life.
Oh yes: and with a cabin superstructure that extends forwards. This is neither typical of Hutting nor Koopmans, but it looks good. And creates a lot of space inside. And because there is more space for windows, it is not gloomy despite the teak interior. "O tempora, o mores", the traditionalists will now say. Suddenly even a hutting is bright inside. But don't worry, there is no danger of confusing the interior of the new one with a loft, as is often the case in many other modern designs. At least on building number one: "This is custom building. If someone wants whitewashed oak or bamboo, we'll do that too," reports Jelle Hutting. The interior layout can also be customised.
The real sensation is hidden in the interior. It is the quality of the work
The galley is nicely seaworthy and has plenty of storage space. The saloon table and benches are large enough and very cosy. At sea, berths can be built there to sleep comfortably. Tanks, air conditioning, batteries and some storage space are housed under the benches. The electrical system is very well installed, relies on simple fuses for large currents and is easy to repair in very remote locations if necessary. The sat nav is also large and cosy. There is storage space in a practical compartment and a table with space for large maps. This has become rare, but somehow still appeals.
In the foredeck, there are separate rooms for the toilet and shower, neither of which is huge, but both are easy to use. The berth is free-standing, at the owner's request, and at 1.45 metres it is sufficient, but for a boat of this calibre it is actually tight. Wider is possible, the space is there, but then it is no longer free-standing. The thickness of the cushions is not tight: 20 centimetres is comfortable.
Things are less pleasant aft. The cabin has two single beds on different levels. This is clever because the inner berth can slide aft. There you lie behind the engine compartment. Unfortunately, however, the trench for the large wheel aft is in the way. 15 centimetres of space above the bunk is not enough, which means that the usable length shrinks to a good 1.50 metres. Not enough. However, the width of both berths is just fine at 75 centimetres. So only one berth is really usable aft. At 46 feet.
The second wet room is located on the other side of the companionway. It's not huge either, but it's sufficient. Unfortunately, at 88 centimetres, the height above the toilet is so low that you bump your head sitting down. What a pity. A small door leads from the toilet room into the forecastle, which also serves as a technical room. Salty and damp fenders and lines are therefore unlikely to be stowed here. However, this is not necessary either: there is space for this in the anchor locker and aft of the cockpit. However, the Hutting shows her great class below deck.
Quality in every detail
The astonished visitor can expect doors framed with reveals, matching grain, solid corners and finishing mouldings, a curved surround for the washbasins, milled from solid wood; an abundance of wood everywhere. The particularly prominent corner of the navi table, for example, has been round-sanded from a particularly beautiful knot so that the rings run perfectly. Inside, all the wood is first varnished eight times, then sanded before receiving two layers of finish varnish. Every piece of wood on board that is not teak deck is varnished. On both sides and also on the cut edges.
Quality in every detail, that continues outside. The teak deck is a feast of wood. Thick, in perfect shape, in love with detail. And an anachronism. "It won't be like this again. As far as we're concerned, it was the last of its kind. We still had an old log of Burmateak in storage when you could still buy it legally. We no longer want to use the wood that is available today as decking." For the time being, however, the deck glows a golden yellow in the April sun as they head out to sail.
Powerful, extendable bow and stern thrusters push the ship in the right direction in the narrow harbour. And everything works. What doesn't seem quite finished yet are the North sails. They stand up well, but unfortunately the outhaul line of the furling mainsail is not spliced in properly so that the sail cannot be pushed through far enough, it is too bulbous. What a pity. Because you notice this immediately when steering. In gusts, the rudder makes itself clearly audible with pressure.
The Reckmann hydraulics have everything under control: backstay, outhaul, downhaul and the furlers for the main and jib. Oh yes: and the bowsprit, which can be extended and retracted as if by magic at the touch of a button.
The boat is fun
It wants to be ridden actively, offers a nice response that can be trimmed to the desired level and, above all, it is stiff. Larger aluminium yachts tend to be a little wobbly. Not this one. The structure prevents this. The keel, for example, sits in a deep pocket in the hull and is fully welded. "You can't lever it out of there, no matter how. It's rock solid," reports father Hutting after the test. And because the ship is so rigid, a thought immediately springs to mind: how would it sail without a heavy teak deck, heavy furling mast and air conditioning? How about a light deck, perhaps a carbon mast and a battened main, paired with a slightly larger headsail?
The shipyard is thinking about this, as Hutting junior reports. However, turning angles of just under 90 degrees are possible. The whole thing at 6.3 knots in the wind. It was blowing at around 14 knots. Decent, but not yet the end of the line, as the ship made abundantly clear. The experts from North only came on board after the test and spent two days tuning the boat and sails to each other. That alone should have improved the performance quite a bit. What remains, however, is the feeling that the hull is capable of much more than the test revealed.
What remains is the categorisation of the ship in the market
There is nothing comparable in metal: elegant, robust, good sailing and perfectly finished. In GRP, Contest and Breehorn come to mind, which can achieve such a level of quality. However, they are made of plastic and are not particularly suitable for the very high latitudes. What the direct neighbours from Makkum build, K&M Yachtbuilders, is less pretty and more functional, which applies equally to the exterior and interior. So the air is getting thin. Perhaps an owner who could also afford a yacht from Royal Huismann, but prefers to travel without a crew, but can't do without the best quality? Or people who have seen all that is possible with their Hallberg-Rassy and now want to become one step more exclusive? The shipyard is ready. They want to build one Hutting per year. It can be more classic, more modern, sportier or more comfortable. Anything is possible.
The test boat with expensive hydraulics, teak deck and full comfort equipment costs around 1.6 million euros. That's about two and a half times the price of a mass-produced yacht of the same size. But what owner is going to be bothered by this after feeling the perfect shape and the immaculate finish of the handrails on his yacht, whose gaze wanders over the extraordinary woodwork and who then settles down in the saloon with the certainty that this perfection runs through the entire ship? Down to the very last detail? Exactly! Priceless.
The measured values for the Hutting 46 test
The Hutting 46 in detail
Technical data of the Hutting 46
- Designer: Dick Koopmanns
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 13,90 m
- Total length: 13,90 m
- Waterline length: 11,20 m
- Width: 4,20 m
- Draught/alternative: 2,30/1,90 m
- Mast height above WL: 21,80 m
- Theor. torso speed: 8.2 kn
- Weight: 14,5 t
- Ballast/proportion: 4,5 t/31 %
- Mainsail: 60,3 m2
- Self-tacking jib: 43,5 m2
- machine (Yanmar): 83 kW/110 hp
- Fuel tank: 500 l
- Fresh water tanks (2): 300 litres each
- Holding tank: 94/103 l
- Batteries: 4x Li-Ion 24 V/5,000 W
Hull and deck construction
Seawater-resistant aluminium 5083 H111, keel sole 8, hull 7 and deck 6 mm. Fully insulated
Equipment, price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: 1.666.000 €
- Standard equipment included: Engine, main and genoa, sailcloth, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, anchor and chain, fenders/mooring, antifouling, clear sailing handover, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, fire extinguisher, electric cooler, holding tank with suction system
- Price ready to sail: 1.666.000 €
- Guarantee: 2 years
Surcharge for comfort equipment
- Hole points: incl.
- Traveller with line guide: incl.
- Electric windlass: incl.
- Tube kicker: incl.
- Backstay tensioner: incl.
- Jumping cleats: incl.
- Sprayhood: incl.
- Teak on the running deck: incl.
- Teak in the cockpit: incl.
- VHF radio: incl.
- Log and echo sounder: incl.
- Wind measuring system: incl.
- Autopilot: incl.
- Charger: incl.
- Shore connection with RCD: incl.
- 230 volt socket (one): incl.
- 12-volt socket in the sat nav: incl.
- Heating: incl.
- Pressurised water system: incl.
- Hot water boiler: incl.
- Shower WC room: incl.
- Cockpit shower: incl.
- Comfort price : 1.666.000 €
Included in the price
Dickinson stove, air conditioning system, sail hydraulics, extendable bow and stern thruster, thrust bearing in the drive train, moulded rubbing strake. Elimination of individual items reduces the overall price
Engine compartment
Finely insulated, easily accessible and tidy. Everything in the engine compartment is as it should be, including double, reversible fuel filters
Bowsprit
The bowsprit can be extended and retracted hydraulically from the deck. It is made of carbon fibre and holds the jib line or furler of asymmetrical headsails. These are also useful, as the self-tacking jib quickly loses its effectiveness when sailing deeper courses. A large genoa can be set on the forestay
Traveller
Thick wood, reinforced with aluminium, and large fittings characterise this important trimming instrument. Instead of the one-sided operation, a double-sided operation can also be ordered
Equipment
The ship is fully equipped, there are no additional items for the comfort price according to the YACHT definition
Shipyard and distribution
Hutting Yachts, Makkum/Netherlands; www.hutting-yachts.com.
YACHT review of the Hutting 46
The Hutting 46 is quite unique: elegant, nautical, highly customisable, optimally built from aluminium and equipped with plenty of sailing potential in the hull. It therefore occupies a small but very fine niche
Design and concept
- Very rigid hull
- Fully customisable
- Very good insulation
- Solid rudder and keel design
Sailing performance and trim
- Pleasant to steer
- Easy handling
- Traveller difficult to reach
- Jib and mainsheet one-sided
Living and finishing quality
- The finest timber construction
- Sophisticated details
- Height above bunk and WC aft
Equipment and technology
- Well installed electrics
- Oversized fittings
- E-winches
- Technical room
- Fusible links
