From The desk of Eric Sorensen …

Sorensen is the art of the possible in a universe of boats that for me falls short in many ways. What I know about boats is based largely on at-sea experience. I was a charterboat mate as a boy, a Coast Guard coxswain and surfman starting at age 17, and a U.S. Navy officer serving aboard four warships eight years later. I started the J.D. Power marine practice, and wrote hundreds of analytical boat reviews and Sorensen’s Guide to Powerboats. I then focused on competitive analysis, rigorously seatrialing and digging into what made boats work. I found that hard-riding hulls that kept families tied to the dock or slowed to a crawl offshore were the norm. Also common were unsafe topsides, poor helm sightlines and ergonomics, short bunks, unseaworthy hulls, inaccessible systems, cave-like interiors, and evidence of an overall lack of designer insight and operational experience. But chiefly, poor hull design.

Clearly, a new boat brand was needed. Now, with a Hunt hull’s ultra-smooth ride, Sorensen owners can keep going when the wind picks up, make it to their destination in comfort and security, and keep their valuable leisure time plans intact. No more cancelled trips. An 8 or 80-year-old old can get on, off and around the boat, from bow to swim platform, confidently and safely. The bow cockpit transforms life afloat, offering a perch and oasis of delight that landlubbers and old salts alike will love when running offshore at 30 knots.

Sorensen owners can select from a wide range of personalized interior layouts, woodwork and décor, and propulsion choices include pods, shafts and waterjets. Sunlit and breezy interiors, megayacht-quality finish and great views everywhere make everyone in the family happy, so life really will be better on the boat. Situational awareness and ergonomics at the wheel are a source of joy – and calm nerves- for the skipper. And also thanks to Ray Hunt Design, she’s easy on the eyes, a classically contemporary beauty.

By imagining a more intelligent boat, understanding latent market demand, and applying some of the latest and most exciting technologies and innovations, we’re are very pleased to be able to introduce Sorensen Yachts to boating families who value their autonomy and leisure time and will appreciate and value the transformative nature of these boats.

I think of Sorensen Yachts as 50 years of best practices carefully and purposefully distilled into a package that’s equal parts innovation, functionality and charm. I sincerely hope you share our great enthusiasm and vision for the Sorensen brand.

See you offshore!

Eric

wHY SORENSEN°

Sorensen° Yachts challenges the Blue Boat market status quo with its superb seakeeping, bow-to-stern functionality, beautiful lines, ease of ownership and the high degree of personalization offered to each owner. We call the Sorensen° 46 a boat for the 21st Century because many boat brands in the Blue Boat segment are based on time-worn ideas that cry out for a reboot. Sorensen is the antidote.

The 46 is the first of a series, with a 52 and 60 to follow, with signature Sorensen features in all models. So, why Sorensen?

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BEST PRACTICES FROM THE MAN WHO LITERALLY WROTE THE BOOK 

Known as ‘Sorensen’s VI’ all Sorensen Yachts exemplify Eric’s best practices in these  areas: 
I. Seaworthiness

II. Personal Safety

III. Ease of Use

IV. Comfort

V. Cruiseability

VI. Aesthetics

The Ride-Sea Trials Sell

A Sorensen owner will be more fully in charge of their valuable recreational time when at sea, reaching distant destinations as scheduled in comfort and security even when the wind is blowing 15 or 20 knots.  You’ll be far more likely to make that long-planned lunch date on Nantucket in a Sorensen.  The ride and handling of a Ray Hunt deep-vee hull in a seaway must be experienced to be believed and is one of Sorensen’s greatest advantages for the owner and differentiators for the dealer. Having operated all manner of pleasure, commercial, and military craft for many decades, we can confidently attest that the Hunt hull’s smoothness in a head sea, easy motions in a beam sea, nearly hands-off coursekeeping with seas abaft the beam, and dryness on all headings are without equal on any other monohull.

Propulsion - Cast a Wider Net

The Sorensen 46 comes standard with twin 480 hp Volvo-Penta IPS 650s. With Volvo’s remarkable forward-facing, counter-rotating propeller pods, you get the speed of twin 650 hp inboard shafts with the fuel consumption of 480 hp diesels, and commensurately greater range.  In fact, Volvo IPS is the king of efficiency and range at speeds over 25 knots.

But if IPS doesn't suit you, we also uniquely offer diesel shaft propulsion as well as waterjets, on a semi-custom basis, all with joystick control.

Command and Control

The lower helm design is both revolutionary and the ultimate in ergonomics, taking cues from aerospace and automotive layouts with everything easy to see and comfortable to reach, seated or standing. Sightlines at the wheel are essentially as good as when standing on an open deck, with unprecedented 360° horizon visibility thanks in part to low-profile, foil-shaped carbon fiber corner posts and narrow window mullions that minimizes cross section as viewed from the helm. You’ll think you’re standing on an open bridge. Situational awareness, and the safety of operation and confidence that comes with it, is built into every Sorensen.

Seakeeping and Moderation

The SY46 is certified as ISO Category “A” Ocean Rating, the highest rating possible for seaworthiness. This is a function of stability, down-flooding angle, deck drainage and other important seaworthiness factors. The Sorensen’s length-to-beam, hull-to-deckhouse proportions, bottom loading and power requirements are all moderate and thus favorable in terms of seakeeping and seakindliness. While Sorensen impresses and charms at the dock with its looks and practicality, its moderation in all those elements really shines at sea. Just the right amount of deadrise from bow to stern to make the boat balanced, smooth, dry and agile in a seaway. You may have also noticed the distinctive – and in this class of boat, unique - knuckle in the hull forward, which like the rest of the boat is as functional as it is good looking. It adds buoyancy and lift in rough seas, creates extra cabin volume and allows a wider foredeck at its recessed elevation. We also think it looks great, reminiscent of the Coast Guard 82- and 95-foot patrol boats, and talk about functional.

Flexibility

In addition to propulsion choices, we offer a well-equipped base boat and a generous list of options, from electronics to a teak cockpit. There’s a choice of maple, cherry, walnut (all standard) and teak (optional) interiors. Galley up or down and several cabin layouts are also available, affording many choices to better suit an owner’s wishes.

In Closing

By imagining a more intelligent boat, understanding the market and appreciating the needs and wishes of buyers, and applying technology not available just a few years ago, we are introducing Sorensen Yachts to a discerning and welcoming buyer. The most experienced boat owners who wish to shed the real limitations of other boat brands are those most apt to welcome and invest in what we’re offering. We hope you agree with our assessment and share our great enthusiasm and vision for and commitment to the Sorensen brand.