The Swan 47 Ss is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 36.2′, the Swan 47 Ss tops out around 8.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.2′ LWL = 8.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
75s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
16.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
38.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.73
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
38.4
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
1.73
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 Swan 47 Ss sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
X 482
15s/nm
Baltic 47
24s/nm
Swan 48 Ss
72s/nm
Swan 47 Ss
75s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.1 kts),
SA/D (16.7), 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 Swan 47 Ss — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Swan 47 Ss.
|
Swan 47 Ss |
Baltic 47 |
J/145 |
New York Yacht Club 48 |
Swan 48 Ss |
X 482 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
47.8 |
47.8 |
47.9 |
47.8 |
47.9 |
48.0 |
| LWL |
36.2 |
39.5 |
41.0 |
36.2 |
37.3 |
41.0 |
| Beam |
13.8 |
14.4 |
14.2 |
13.8 |
13.6 |
14.1 |
| Displacement |
32 |
24 |
26 |
34 |
36 |
26 |
| Ballast |
15 |
10 |
11 |
17 |
14 |
11 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1,020 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
75 |
24 |
— |
— |
72 |
15 |
| SA/Disp |
16.7 |
22.2 |
16.5 |
16.1 |
15.2 |
20.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
41.1 |
42.3 |
50.9 |
39.2 |
— |
| Comfort |
38.4 |
26.0 |
35.9 |
40.8 |
42.5 |
28.0 |
| Capsize |
1.73 |
1.98 |
1.54 |
1.70 |
1.65 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
8.1 |
8.4 |
11.0 |
8.1 |
8.2 |
8.6 |