The Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 47'5" (14.5m)

Waterline Length: 37'3" (11.4m)

Beam 14'4" (4.4m)

Draft: 8'10" (2.7m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 25,353lb (11,500kg)

Designer: Philippe Briand

Builder: Jeanneau (France)

Year First Built: 1983

Year Last Built: 1989

Number Built: 315

Owners Association: Jeanneau Owners Network

Published Design Ratios for the Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.1

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.0

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 219

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 27.9

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 15.1 suggests that the Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.0 means that the Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47 will initially stand up reasonably well to her canvas in a moderate breeze, but she'll need a reef in the main to avoid heeling excessively in a gust.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 219, tells us the Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 27.9 suggests that crew comfort of a Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.0 indicates that a Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47 would not be the wisest choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making owing to the lower resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas that is associated with sailboats with a CSF of 2.0 and above.