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Discovery 47
Designer: Peter Hatfield  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Discovery 47

Designed by Peter Hatfield and first launched in 1969, this substantial 47-footer represents classic British cruising yacht philosophy with its emphasis on seaworthiness and comfort over racing performance. The Discovery 47's generous beam of 12.83 feet and substantial displacement of 26,080 pounds create a stable, spacious platform well-suited for extended offshore cruising and coastal exploration. The masthead sloop rig with 972 square feet of sail area provides adequate power while remaining manageable for a cruising crew. Her fin keel and skeg-hung rudder configuration offers a good balance between directional stability and maneuverability, making her suitable for both open ocean passages and close-quarters marina work. With a comfort ratio of 34.28, this yacht prioritizes crew comfort over speed, reflecting her intended role as a long-distance cruiser rather than a performance boat. The capsize screening formula of 1.73 indicates good stability characteristics for offshore work, while her 7-foot draft provides reasonable access to most cruising destinations without severely limiting shoal water exploration. The fiberglass construction typical of her era ensures durability and relatively straightforward maintenance, making the Discovery 47 an appealing choice for serious cruising sailors seeking a proven offshore platform.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.00 ft / 14.33 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
Beam 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 26,080.00 lb / 11,830 kg
Ballast 11,110.00 lb / 5,039 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 972.00 ft² / 90.30 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Hatfield
First Built 1969
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Performance Ratios
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
 17.76
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
 42.6
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
 249.55
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
 34.28
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
 1.73
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. 8.04 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
 2.26
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. 1,650.35 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. 17.83
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 54.00 ft / 16.46 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 47.80 ft / 14.57 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
SA Fore 486.00 ft² / 45.15 m²
SA Main 489.95 ft² / 45.52 m²
SA Total (100%) 975.95 ft² / 90.67 m²
Est. Forestay Length 56.92 ft / 17.35 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 200 gals / 757 L
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