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Kaufman 47
Designer: M. Kaufmann  ·  Builder: Kirie (Fra)  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Kaufman 47

Built by French yard Kirie between 1986 and 1988, this substantial 47-footer represents Marc Kaufmann's approach to serious blue-water cruising. The design emphasizes seaworthiness and comfort over pure performance, evident in its robust 30,000-pound displacement and conservative proportions that deliver excellent stability for offshore passages. The fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder configuration provides good tracking and protection for the steering gear, while the 7-foot draft offers impressive stability without compromising access to most cruising destinations. Her cutter rig with 1,002 square feet of sail area provides versatile sail handling options, particularly valuable when short-handed or in challenging conditions. With a comfort ratio of 33.48 and capsize screening formula of 1.77, the Kaufman 47 falls squarely in the category of capable ocean cruisers rather than coastal daysailers. The generous beam of 13.75 feet translates to spacious accommodations below, while the moderate sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.67 suggests steady rather than spirited performance. Though production was limited to just three years, those seeking a well-built European cruiser designed for extended voyaging will find the Kaufman 47 offers the heavy-displacement characteristics that inspire confidence in serious offshore sailing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.00 ft / 14.33 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 40.16 ft / 12.24 m
Beam 13.75 ft / 4.19 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 30,000.00 lb / 13,608 kg
Ballast 10,700.00 lb / 4,853 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,002.00 ft² / 93.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer M. Kaufmann
Builder Kirie (FRA)
First Built 1986
Last Built 1988
Related Sailboats Hylas 47 · Valiant 47 · Swan 46 · Bristol 477 · Ct 47
Owner Reviews

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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
 16.67
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
 35.67
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
 206.77
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
 33.48
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
 1.77
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. 8.49 kn
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. 1,973.07 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 225 gals / 852 L
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 477, Ct 47, Hylas 47, Swan 46, Valiant 47

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kaufman 47 ★
47.0 ft
Bristol 477
47.0 ft
Ct 47
46.9 ft
Hylas 47
46.8 ft
Swan 46
47.1 ft
Valiant 47
47.0 ft
LWL
Kaufman 47 ★
40.2 ft
Bristol 477
37.3 ft
Ct 47
37.5 ft
Hylas 47
37.8 ft
Swan 46
37.8 ft
Valiant 47
40.0 ft
Beam
Kaufman 47 ★
13.8 ft
Bristol 477
13.2 ft
Ct 47
13.2 ft
Hylas 47
14.3 ft
Swan 46
14.4 ft
Valiant 47
13.8 ft
Displacement
Kaufman 47 ★
30 lbs
Bristol 477
34 lbs
Ct 47
29 lbs
Hylas 47
35 lbs
Swan 46
31 lbs
Valiant 47
30 lbs
Ballast
Kaufman 47 ★
10 lbs
Bristol 477
15 lbs
Ct 47
12 lbs
Hylas 47
14 lbs
Swan 46
11 lbs
Valiant 47
11 lbs
Sail Area
Kaufman 47 ★
1 sq ft
Bristol 477
968 sq ft
Ct 47
908 sq ft
Hylas 47
1 sq ft
Swan 46
978 sq ft
Valiant 47
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Kaufman 47 ★
—
Bristol 477
—
Ct 47
111 s/nm
Hylas 47
93 s/nm
Swan 46
68 s/nm
Valiant 47
92 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kaufman 47 ★
16.7
Bristol 477
14.6
Ct 47
15.3
Hylas 47
15.8
Swan 46
15.8
Valiant 47
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Kaufman 47 ★
35.7 %
Bristol 477
43.3 %
Ct 47
40.8 %
Hylas 47
—
Swan 46
36.4 %
Valiant 47
36.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kaufman 47 ★
33.5
Bristol 477
43.0
Ct 47
36.4
Hylas 47
38.9
Swan 46
34.1
Valiant 47
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kaufman 47 ★
1.77
Bristol 477
1.62
Ct 47
1.71
Hylas 47
1.75
Swan 46
1.83
Valiant 47
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Kaufman 47 ★
206
Bristol 477
299
Ct 47
248
Hylas 47
—
Swan 46
258
Valiant 47
209
Hull Speed
Kaufman 47 ★
8.5 kts
Bristol 477
8.2 kts
Ct 47
8.2 kts
Hylas 47
8.2 kts
Swan 46
8.2 kts
Valiant 47
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kaufman 47 ★
—
Bristol 477
1.6
Ct 47
2.0
Hylas 47
1.7
Swan 46
2.0
Valiant 47
—
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