Jackett is Back at the Drawing Board: Blue Jacket Yachts Announces New Model
June 2026 | Tim Jackett Designer Comments
The Start of Something New: BJ46RS
When Niche’ Watercraft founder, Mike Mullenberg, acquired the Blue Jacket 40 molds and brand, originally built by Island Packet and built to my design, he wanted to add a couple of new models to the Blue Jacket line-up. The first was a new raised salon 46-footer. To get things rolling, I asked Mike to put together his design brief for the new model. An experienced sailor and long-time marine industry veteran, Mike served up a design “brief” of 26 pages! After reviewing Mike’s work, I told him that I might need 100 feet to meet all of his features, but that I would do my best to check as many boxes as possible.
I’ve designed a number of raised salon sailboats, starting with the Tartan 4400 in 2000. The 4400 hull was used on several additional designs, the 4700 and most recently the 455. With the Blue Jacket 46, I was excited to have the opportunity to start with a clean sheet of paper or more accurately a clean computer screen, removing the restrictions and limitations that come with using an existing hull design. Thanks to her nearly plumb bow, the Blue Jacket 46 hull sports a 42’ 8” waterline length providing long legs producing an impressive theoretical hull speed relative to her length on deck of 46 feet even. With a fine entry, full aft quarters and balanced hull volume distribution, the 46 promises to deliver a comfortable motion in a seaway and maintain predictable manners in all sailing conditions. The hull shape anticipates how modern performance cruising boats are equipped and accounts for the added weight of dinghies, davits, arches and equipment that add weight aft without the need for speed and comfort robbing trim ballast. Designed displacement is 30,000 pounds for the fin keel version, giving the hull plenty of reserve buoyancy for a full compliment of cruising gear and provisions. Her displacement to length ratio of 160 indicates a hull with excellent top end speed capabilities. With a ballast to displacement ratio of 40% and maximum beam at 13’ 9 1/2” the 46 will be stable and have plenty of sail carrying ability. With a projected STIX number of 40, the 46 will be ready to take her crew offshore. The Blue Jacket 46 hull form is a clean and current design that will deliver superior performance and comfort.
The Blue Jacket 46 underwater appendages offer performance options for all sailing locales. The hull can be fit with a standard fin with 7’ 0” of draft for those without draft restrictions or a choice of two shoal draft options, a fixed shallow draft bulb keel (6’ 0”) or a super shallow bulbed keel/centerboard configuration (5’ 6”). All three keels are cast with 4% antimonial lead maximizing their strength. My very low CG designs are a real-world evolution proven over the past 40 years. All provide great stability, tracking ability and sail carrying power. The rudder on the 46 is a state-of-the-art balanced foil with a protective skeg. The rudder post is supported high in the hull and at the lower end by the skeg providing a rugged assembly that will provide peace of mind to the offshore sailor and fingertip control for the performance geek in all sailors. Whether offshore or coastal cruising the 46 can be configured to meet your sailing conditions, dreams and plans.
The sail plan is designed with performance and ease of handling prioritized. The standard sail plan sports a large mainsail, self tacking jib and a versatile masthead reacher. All three sails can be trimmed from the helm position. For upwind work, the main and self tacking jib provide effortless and efficient tacking and efficient close-hauled sailing. Ease the sheets onto a reach and set the always ready reacher from its furler for maximum power and performance. The reacher can also be used as a light air sail close hauled. A carbon fiber mast maximizes performance and stability while still being cleanly rigged without the need for unnecessary additional rigging. Upwind the standard sail plan boasts a SA/Displacement ratio of 17.9 and off wind with the reacher a powerful SA/Displacement ratio of 25.5. Over the past 20 years this sail plan concept has proven its performance and efficiency on over 400 boats built to my designs.
On deck the Blue Jacket 46 features contemporary yet classic North American styling. Her large cockpit has sleeping length seats with tall backrests and ergonomically shaped seats for maximum comfort. The cockpit also features a center console with a drop leaf table for outdoor lounging or dining. Café style companionway doors allow easy access to the raised salon deck house. The twin helm seat positions provide excellent sight lines and the wrap around stern rail fitted with comfort pads provides the helms person the best seat in the house. Integral catbird seats offer a comfortable place to perch and enjoy wind in your hair sailing. At your favorite anchorage, enjoy easy access to the water through the open transom with the swim platform in the deployed position. The cockpit also provides ample storage in two helm seat hatch compartments, a centerline hatch accessing additional storage and a port side cockpit hatch that provides on deck access to the utility cabin below. A convenient step between the wheels and cockpit seats offers easy access to the wide side decks. The raised salon coach roof is fit with expansive and striking, wrap around forward and side windows and 4 deck hatches. The sleek forward house has six opening portlights and three additional hatches providing unsurpassed ventilation and light below. Stainless steel handrails are carefully placed to provide safety on deck. The 27-inch lifelines, and rails and raised bulwarks capped with teak, further enhance on deck security. Premium, Harken deck hardware is specified for all sail handling equipment with sheets, halyards and sail controls all placed for convenient sail handling, trim and tweaking to satisfy the experienced sailor’s desire to maximize performance. The forward storage and anchor locker is accessed through a proper, watertight deck hatch and ground tackle is neatly managed with an integral anchoring system and windlass. Custom designed corrosion resistant type 316 stainless steel chocks with large stainless-steel cleats provide plenty of options for secure docking. Safety, comfort, efficient sail handling are the hallmark features of the stylish Blue Jacket 46 deck design.
The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems have been carefully developed for efficiency and serviceability. At 115 hp, the Kubota based low RPM Nanni diesel engine with sail drive and folding prop will easily drive the hull at hull speed with plenty in reserve to muscle through adverse conditions or tidal flow. 360-degree service access is afforded by the large electrically lifted service hatch. The optional generator is located beneath the companion way steps with full-service access through the hinged steps and cabin sole access panel. All plumbing is installed in accordance with ABYC recommended practices. Underwater hose connections are all double clamped and black water systems employ the highest quality non-permeable sanitation hoses. The fresh water system is color coded semi-rigid poly tubing with mechanical fittings. Plumbing fixtures are all of the highest possible marine grade. The standard electrical system is robust with options available to upgrade the system to LiPo4 battery systems with high amp, fast charging capabilities. There are many systems options available to fit the requirements of each owner. The steering system touts dual, independent helms for redundancy, should one helm fail, the other remains fully operational. The best systems, engineered to perform and great accessibility assure a long life of trouble-free cruising.
No single accommodation plan will satisfy all owners, so the Blue Jacket 46 has several arrangement plans available and Niche encourages individual owner optimization. Interior cabinetry features solid joinery, louver ventilated cabinet and passage doors and a variety of hardwood species are available. The owner’s stateroom forward includes a private head with stall shower and generous storage in hanging lockers, drawers and shelved lockers. In the galley down layout, the galley is situated to starboard and immediately aft of the owner’s stateroom and in the galley up plan the galley is located to port in the raised salon. Both have extensive storage in upper cabinets, and lower shelved lockers. Countertops are available in a wide range of designer solid surface colors and are comprised of a light weight, cored laminate. A drawer style refrigerator which operates on AC or DC power and a separate drop in freezer provide plenty of space for provisions. The chef will appreciate the 4-burner Force 10 stove with oven and broiler. A large and deep sink and plenty of counter space make meal preparation and clean up a snap. For those that need more sleeping cabins, the galley up plan includes a crew cabin with stacked berths in a cabin to starboard, aft of the owner’s stateroom. To port in both layouts is a nav station/work station with plenty of room to navigate or work away from the office. The bright and airy raised salon area features an “L” shaped settee to starboard, including a large wet locker and either the galley up or two over stuffed easy chairs to port. The guest cabin is located to starboard and includes generous storage in, lockers, drawers and hanging lockers. To port is the day head with wet shower and access to the utility space to port and aft of the head. The utility space includes storage, work bench and space for additional systems such as an additional top load freezer and a washer/dryer combo. Additional accommodation options are available, including an inside helm/watch station, if you can dream it, we can design and build it.
Conceived as a go anywhere, offshore, performance cruising yacht, the Blue Jacket 46 design is an evolutionary result of my 48 years of designing award winning sailing yachts with a tip of the hat to the desired features authored by Mike Mullenberg in his extensive and detailed design brief.