Its brief is uncompromising: this is a boat clearly ready to range from the Arctic to the Antarctic and all points between, built of robust aluminum to an expedition standard.
Design and Construction
Every structural element above and below the waterline is aluminum. The hull, deck, and pilothouse—the latter described as a “command module”—all use the same metal. Multiple chines shape the canoe body rather than a single rounded form.
Below the waterline, the hull is sandblasted and given an epoxy barrier coat within eight hours to head off oxidation. Custom-made plastic and anodized bushings isolate dissimilar metals throughout the boat. Three sacrificial anodes provide further protection: one at the rudder, one at the centerboard, and a large 5-kilogram unit near the engine and stainless shaft. A hull-potential meter at the pilothouse lets the operator watch for galvanic corrosion before it causes damage.
The keel arrangement is central to the boat’s ability to take the ground. A centerboard lowers the draft to 8 feet 1 inch. This NACA foil provides lateral stability only; it carries no ballast. Instead, the lead ballast sits in a keel embryo that extends below the rudder’s lowest point.
The builder claims the Boreal 47 can sit on its own bottom without poles or crutches when the tide runs out. It will not flip over when beached, returning upright if heeled to 14 degrees before slowly settling onto its first chine. A somewhat stubby rudder and a centerboard partially enclosed by a thick skeg help the hull take the ground readily.
Rig and Sail Handling
The Boreal 47 has a double-spreader masthead rig, with a Sparcraft aluminum mast and boom and stainless wire rigging. Two headsails set on Profurl furlers, while an inner forestay carries a true staysail for dirty weather. A sturdy aluminum sprit doubles as an anchor roller and Code 0 tack point; the Code 0 is cited as invaluable when sailing downwind.
The steering arrangement is distinctive. Two shallow daggerboards are mounted aft, athwart the single midship rudder. Raising the windward board and lowering the leeward one lets the boat track as sweet as you please. In 20 knots against the tide, test sailors credited the boards with keeping the rudder from breaking loose when sailing hard on the wind. Delvoye distrusts twin rudders, so the Boreal instead pairs a single spade rudder with the two aft boards.
Performance Under Sail and Power
Trial results were consistent. Close-reaching in a high-teens breeze, the Boreal 47 made 7-plus knots with ease. During a Chesapeake trial in 16 to 22 knots and 2- to 3-foot seas, it posted 7.2 knots closehauled and 8.5 knots reaching.
As the wind built into the low 20s, the helm loaded up until the crew put in a reef. Afterward, the boat was back on rails. Its motion through the swells was easy and forgiving, with no slamming—a seakindly boat that takes care of its crew.
Under the 55hp Volvo Penta D2, maximum throttle produced 2,800 rpm and 8.3 knots. Delivery pace was about 7 knots at 1,800 rpm.
Pilothouse and Accommodations
A massive watertight door leads from the cockpit into the pilothouse. Outside, a hard dodger shelters two people at the cockpit’s forward end. Inside, a portside navigation station sits at cockpit level in the heated cabin. It has a padded interior helm seat and a magnificently large navigation surface with room for all the electronics desired. A lip along the trailing edge serves as both a handhold and a vent.
A companionway leads down to the saloon. To port, a large raised table has settees on three sides. The in-line galley runs along the starboard side, separated from the saloon by a substantial box that encloses the centerboard trunk and provides space for bracing and stowage.
On the test boat, ash joinery, numerous hatches, and plenty of ports kept the saloon light and airy. Mahogany is optional. Forward, the owner’s cabin was large and comfortable, with the same ash finish. The aft cabins can be fitted with optional full-size double berths.
Cockpit, Deck, and Stowage
The cockpit is compact and refreshingly deep. Strong tether points and large drains prepare it for boarding seas, while the pilothouse’s trailing edge extends a foot over the benches to create snug nooks.
Ahead of the large, uncluttered foredeck is a suitably large sail locker. A massive lazarette sits beneath a mini lounging deck, just forward of an optional aluminum arch.
The deck is arranged for secure work in high latitudes. Safety railings flank the mast, aggressive antislip covers the working surfaces, and sturdy welded-on mooring cleats sit alongside double stanchions. A teak toerail runs from stem to stern.
A single large wheel allows the helmsman to move outboard for a view around the pilothouse. Even so, the house remains a bit of an obstruction, and testers often stood to see where they were going. A bow thruster is optional.
Verdict
The Boreal 47 is a purpose-built aluminum world cruiser. Its ground-takeable centerboard-and-keel-embryo arrangement, aft daggerboards, and expedition-grade corrosion management make it a serious high-latitude tool. The pilothouse command module and protected, deep cockpit suit long passages, while the saloon is both light and practical.
The main caveat is the pilothouse’s blind spot from the seated helm, which can be managed by standing.
Pros
- Aluminum hull, deck, and pilothouse built to expedition standard, with proactive anti-corrosion systems
- Ground-takeable keel embryo and centerboard; the builder claims the boat remains stable when beached to 14 degrees
- Aft daggerboards provide balanced, steady tracking and help the rudder hold when sailing hard on the wind
- Protected pilothouse with a navigation station at cockpit level
- Deep, well-drained cockpit
- Secure deck layout with safety railings, aggressive antislip, and welded cleats
Cons
- Pilothouse obstructs forward visibility from the seated helm
- Centerboard serves only as a lateral-stability foil and carries no ballast
