The North Wind 47 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 37.3′, the North Wind 47 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.3′ LWL = 8.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
20.9
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
33.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
33.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the North Wind 47 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Valiant 47
92s/nm
Stevens 47
93s/nm
Passport 47
117s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.8 |
7.6 |
7.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (20.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the North Wind 47 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the North Wind 47.
|
North Wind 47 |
Kelly Peterson 46 |
Passport 47 |
Stevens 47 |
Tayana 47 Cc |
Valiant 47 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
46.8 |
46.3 |
46.6 |
46.8 |
47.0 |
47.0 |
| LWL |
37.3 |
40.8 |
39.0 |
37.8 |
40.3 |
40.0 |
| Beam |
13.9 |
13.3 |
13.5 |
14.3 |
14.5 |
13.8 |
| Displacement |
28 |
33 |
34 |
32 |
35 |
30 |
| Ballast |
10 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
117 |
93 |
— |
92 |
| SA/Disp |
20.9 |
17.1 |
15.3 |
— |
20.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
— |
— |
45.3 |
33.4 |
36.7 |
| Comfort |
33.2 |
38.5 |
39.8 |
— |
36.4 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.82 |
1.66 |
1.67 |
— |
1.78 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
8.6 |
8.4 |
— |
8.5 |
— |