The Oceanis 47 Beneteau is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 41.3′, the Oceanis 47 Beneteau tops out around 8.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √41.3′ LWL = 8.6 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
17.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
24.9%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
132
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
23.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.04
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
20.1
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
23.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.04
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Oceanis 47 Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
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 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.3 |
6.7 |
7.5 |
8.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.8 kts),
SA/D (17.6), 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 Oceanis 47 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–18 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 Oceanis 47 Beneteau.
|
Oceanis 47 Beneteau |
Boreal 47 |
Dufour 48 Prestige |
Oceanis 46.1 Beneteau |
X 482 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
47.9 |
47.7 |
48.0 |
47.9 |
48.0 |
| LWL |
41.3 |
38.2 |
42.0 |
41.3 |
41.0 |
| Beam |
15.1 |
14.1 |
15.2 |
15.1 |
14.1 |
| Displacement |
30 |
22 |
29 |
29 |
26 |
| Ballast |
10 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
| Sail Area |
1,163 |
1 |
1 |
1,120 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
15 |
| SA/Disp |
17.6 |
21.6 |
21.6 |
18.7 |
20.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
24.9 |
36.9 |
31.9 |
34.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
23.2 |
25.2 |
28.1 |
28.2 |
28.0 |
| Capsize |
2.04 |
2.00 |
1.96 |
1.96 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
8.8 |
8.3 |
8.7 |
8.6 |
8.6 |