Most boaters consider steel boats to be rather staid and classic. In recent years, however, Dutch shipyards have been looking for new, more modern designs to give steel boats a more chic look. Our test boat, the Lauwersmeer 46 OC, is just such a modern example.
The abbreviation OC stands for the open cockpit
In the cockpit, the shipyard accommodates a large rear sofa and a height-adjustable table (with folding sides). The soft top stretched over it protects against sun and rain. Opening the large rear doors between the cockpit and saloon creates a huge living area with the galley at its centre.
Cooking with your loved ones is therefore wonderfully possible - even on unfriendly days, as the carpool gathers in the cosy seating area right next to the galley when the rear door is closed. The best thing about this is the all-round visibility, which is inevitably restricted by the roof struts at the rear.
In good weather, the saloon can be transformed into an open-air area using the sliding roof
One floor below, the designer has accommodated the front and centre cabins as well as the wet room. On the way into the front cabin, the wide entrance door is particularly noticeable; under the cushions there is an exemplary mesh mat that ensures good ventilation of the mattress.
The same applies to the double berth in the underfloor cabin (1.80 x 2.00 m), in which two adults
can easily spend the night. The washing machine/dryer combination unit is accessible from this cabin (behind a cupboard door).
The door to the wet room is also pleasantly wide. The room behind it, especially the shower, is pleasing with its spacious, practical layout. Everything is effectively ventilated via two portholes and a ceiling fan.
To ensure that the Vetus Deutz diesel engine (DTA44) can also breathe properly (engine compartment temperature maximum 30 °C at around 20 °C air/water temperature), the shipyard has provided the side walls with large openings, which are fitted with exemplary water boxes. The serviceman has plenty of space in the engine compartment. This is due to the fact that dual motorisation is also possible.
If you put the throttle lever on the table, the four-cylinder engine turns at exactly the 2500 rpm recommended by the manufacturer. A sign of perfect propeller tuning. You are travelling at around 8.3 knots, but it must be clear that the stern wave is quite large and you are not travelling economically at 3.34 l/sm. The 750 litres of diesel in the bunker minus 15% reserve are then sufficient for a mere 200 nm.
A good value of around 500 nm is achieved at a cruising speed of around 6 knots. To prevent the engine from making loud noises during this journey, the shipyard effectively deadens the sound with a fireproof foam that keeps the noise level at around 55 dB(A). Further relaxation is provided by the good directional stability, which is quickly achieved without a long levelling phase.
A practical aid is the rudder angle indicator, which allows you to quickly find the centre. If you want to be really comfortable, switch on the autopilot installed on our test boat, just keep a lookout and adjust the course conveniently using a wheel on the control unit. In full-throttle bends, the 46 OC leans slightly to the outside of the bend, as is typical of displacement boats, and easily completes its laps.
When steering with the sports steering wheel, you have to apply a lot of force just before the full stop, but steering out is noticeably easier. Port manoeuvres are made easier by the stern and bow thrusters (with proportional function). The thrust and shift torque can be precisely and smoothly controlled via the electronic single-lever gearstick.
The skipper sits on an armrest chair with sporty, firm upholstery, the seat can be pushed forwards and backwards and rotated through 360°. There is no special passenger seat. A three-part windscreen with lightly tinted safety glass provides an unrestricted view to the front.
In rain and splash water, three solid double-arm wipers provide the necessary visibility. The instruments are easy to read and the rocker switches are conveniently located next to the steering wheel.
Just as much thought was given to the technical equipment together with the owner as to the layout, because the shipyard discusses exactly what, how and where everything is installed with the customer. In terms of workmanship, we didn't particularly like the sharp-edged saloon door, the forecastle boxes without recessed grips and some of the silicone seams. We were impressed by the work of the welders, painters, carpenters and technicians, who laid all the cables neatly and securely. Another plus: the equipment with fire extinguisher, hand bilge pump and electric bilge pump.
