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Ct 47
Designer: Kauffman & Ladd  ·  Builder: Ta Chaio Shipbuilding Co. (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Ct 47

Built by Taiwan's Ta Chaio Shipbuilding from 1981 onward, this 47-foot cutter represents classic offshore cruising design from the Kauffman & Ladd drawing board. With only 80 hulls completed during its production run, the Ct 47 has earned recognition among serious blue-water sailors for its robust construction and seaworthy proportions. The design emphasizes comfort and stability over pure performance, evident in its conservative 15.32 sail area to displacement ratio and excellent 36.41 comfort ratio. The generous beam of 13.16 feet provides spacious accommodations below, while the moderate 6-foot draft with shoal keel configuration opens up more cruising grounds than deeper alternatives. At nearly 30,000 pounds displacement with 12,000 pounds of ballast, this substantial cruiser offers the stability and carrying capacity serious voyagers demand. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling versatility, particularly valuable during offshore passages where sail reduction options prove crucial. Ta Chaio's reputation for solid fiberglass construction during this era adds confidence for prospective owners considering extended cruising. With a hull speed of 8.21 knots and favorable capsize screening of 1.71, the Ct 47 strikes an appealing balance between passage-making ability and safety margins for offshore adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 46.92 ft / 14.30 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
Beam 13.16 ft / 4.01 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 29,395.00 lb / 13,333 kg
Ballast 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 908.00 ft² / 84.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Sheel Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Kauffman & Ladd
Builder Ta Chaio Shipbuilding Co. (TAIWAN)
First Built 1981
Number Built 80
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 111
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15.32
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 40.82
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 248.85
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 36.41
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.71
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 8.21 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.02
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,763.33 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.32
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 53.00 ft / 16.15 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.75 ft / 5.72 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 47.00 ft / 14.33 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
SA Fore 496.88 ft² / 46.16 m²
SA Main 411.25 ft² / 38.21 m²
SA Total (100%) 908.13 ft² / 84.37 m²
Est. Forestay Length 56.22 ft / 17.14 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4154
Engine Type Diesel
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