The Passoa 47 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Passoa 47

Underwater Configuration: Swing-keel/centreboard with twin rudders

Hull Material: Aluminium

Length Overall: 47'9" (14.5m)

Waterline Length: 40'9" (11.9m)

Beam: 14'1" (4.3m)

Draft: Min 3'7" (1.1m), Max 8'2" (2.5m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 30,649lb (13,900kg)

Designer: Philippe Harlé & Alain Mortain

Builder: Garcia Aluminium (France)

First Built: 1986

Last Built: 2005

Number Built: 60

Published Design Ratios for the Passoa 47

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.5

• 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: 42.0

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 213

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 29.4

• 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: 1.9

• 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 Passoa 47

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 14.5 suggests that the Passoa 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 42.0 means that the Passoa 47 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 213, tells us the Passoa 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 29.4 suggests that crew comfort of a Passoa 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 1.9 tells us that a Passoa 47 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.