Caroline Laviolette walks the only Open 46 on the market with the redesigned galley and warm wood interior — and she's ready to go now in South Miami.
Some catamarans ask you to sit inside and watch the ocean go by. The Nautitech 46 Open is built for people who’d rather feel it. In this walkthrough, Caroline Laviolette of The Multihull Company steps aboard S/V Nia, a 2021 Nautitech 46 Open Explorer, and makes the case for a cat that can be, in her words, “sailed like a tiger or a kitten.”
Twin helms, close to the water
The defining feature of the Open series is its dual aft helms, set low and outboard so the driver stays connected to the wind and waves while remaining well protected. Each station carries a B&G Triton display for wind, speed and depth, plus a B&G Zeus 9-inch chart plotter — so either helm can be sailed as the primary station.
The rig backs up the performance promise: a lowered boom for extra sail area and a better aspect ratio, a full-batten mainsail, a self-tacking Dacron solent, and three Lewmar EVO winches in the cockpit. Caroline’s point is that the performance comes without complication — the sail plan, rig and hull design deliver it in an uncomplicated way, while the boat still cruises in comfort.
A cockpit built for storage and living
The open cockpit runs to two large benches port and starboard, with three big lockers beneath the side benches and two more under the aft beam bench. Hulls are fiberglass and polyurethane sandwich, infused using a vacuum process. Below and aft sit twin Volvo 50 hp diesels in sound-proofed compartments, backed by an Onan 9 kW generator, four solar panels totaling 400 watts, and a 100 liter-per-hour watermaker — the systems package that turns a coastal cruiser into an Explorer.
The rare redesigned interior
This is the detail Caroline flags as unique: Nia is a late-model boat with the redesigned layout and warm wood tones, and she describes it as the only Open 46 currently on the market with that galley redesign. The galley has moved from the forward bulkhead to face the cockpit, which transforms the flow between inside and out. It’s fitted with a four-burner gas stove, a separate gas oven, a large worktop, two stainless steel drawer fridges, a double sink and generous cupboards.
The saloon stays sleek and modern — lounge-style sofa, a 43-inch Samsung smart monitor, a large day bed to starboard with storage beneath, and overhead skylights adding light. Forward is a proper sit-down, forward-facing chart table with a suite of B&G electronics.
Four cabins, four heads
Nia carries the four-cabin layout. The mirrored aft cabins have double berths with shelves to each side, a large drawer under each berth and storage cupboards. All four guest cabins offer double beds, reading lights and ambience lighting alongside large windows and hatches, and each has its own head with a separate shower and natural teak grates. A Gala 11-foot center console tender handles shore excursions.
Where she sits in the market
For context, here’s what the Nautitech 46 Open has been doing on YachtSite:
| Recent solds (24 mo.) | 4 |
|---|---|
| Median sold price | $462,000 |
| Median time to sell | ~475 days |
| Active listings | 3 |
| Asking range | $469,000 – $599,000 (median $590,000) |
| Median sold (last 24 mo.) | $462,000 | |||
| Median asking (active) | $590,000 |
Nia is available immediately in the South Miami area. Caroline Laviolette is based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and can be reached directly for a viewing or further details.