Design and Construction
Boréal built the 47.2 as a genuine aluminum centreboarder. Its wide 14ft 5in beam is a direct consequence of the shallow-draught configuration, providing sail-carrying power without a deep keel. The hull has an ice-breaking stem, watertight bulkheads, and 8–10mm bottom plating over substantial framing, allowing the boat to be safely beached.
A distinctive feature is what the builder calls the keel “embryo.” This shallow, 80cm-wide vestigial keel acts as a broad, extended skeg. It provides a massively strong base for drying out and houses the centreboard case, tankage, and lead ballast. Heavy items—including the anchor chain, tankage, and batteries—are kept low and central. Both the centreboard and rudder have efficient hydrodynamic profiles.
Substantial aluminium stanchions avoid the mixed-metal corrosion issues that can arise in salt water. A high toerail and welded metal handholds complete the rugged deck structure.
Rig and Handling
The cutter rig places the mast well forward in the hull, the opposite of most true cutters. Unlike the self-tacking staysail on the 44/47, the 47.2’s new staysail is conventionally rigged. The larger, overlapping staysail sheets inboard through the slot between the two sets of shrouds, improving the sheeting angle. An optional bowsprit carries Code sails.
All lines lead back to a large central winch, and the sitting area is fully separated from the steering and working zone. Twin wheels operate a single spade rudder, while the V1 shrouds attach to the coachroof, leaving a clear walkway along the foredeck. Despite the lack of a traveller, a powerful vang controls mainsail twist.
A pair of daggerboards, one on either side of the rudder, allows the crew to adjust the handling. With the boards raised, the boat is more responsive, like a smaller yacht. Lowering them markedly improves directional stability. Yachting World found the 47.2 responsive and fun in confined waters. Its rudder stalled at a much higher angle than deep, high-aspect performance rudders and gave ample warning before doing so.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon is offset to port. Its inboard settee sits atop the centreboard case, so the case doesn’t intrude into the accommodation. The galley runs fore and aft to starboard, with extensive Corian worktop fitted as standard.
The builder says the doghouse provides a 360° view. On the test boat, however, blind spots meant the deep port bucket seat stopped short of rotating fully. A direct passage connects the doghouse to the aft cockpit, and the table can remain in place. A full-height watertight door separates and seals the doghouse from the cockpit.
The owner’s cabin forward has more volume than that of the previous 47. It includes a wider peninsula bed and a larger ensuite with a separate shower stall. Gas struts lift the bed base to reveal a huge stowage area.
The aft cabins can convert between double and twin berths, while the starboard cabin can instead serve as a technical and storage space. A full-width dorade vent serves both aft cabins.
Deck stowage is equally substantial. There’s a cavernous sail locker forward and a massive, twin-opening lazarette aft. The liferaft stows in the starboard lazarette and can be reached through a transom door.
Equipment and Systems
The standard engine is a 50hp Volvo Penta D2, with 60 or 75hp options. The test boat had the 75hp engine driving a fixed three-blade prop.
A hefty combined twin bow roller and sprit comes as standard. The anchor rode runs aft through a concealed foredeck channel to a below-deck windlass positioned just ahead of the mast.
The galley’s large, two-drawer fridge can be supplemented by a freezer in the starboard aft cabin. The test boat also had twin galley foot pumps, one for salt water and another serving as a backup for the pressurized system.
Two 13kg gas bottles sit in a locker accessed from the cockpit, giving even heavy users months of autonomy. Flexible solar panels on the doghouse and coachroof provide 500W.
Verdict
The 47.2 is a big boat masquerading as a small one. It comes within a ton of the Boréal 52 while retaining a shorter waterline and a fractionally narrower beam at the waterline. It maintains its trim better than most boats of its type, carries a load without sagging, and tacks through around 100 degrees—a fair average for ocean sailing. Its keel embryo also allows it to be beached or dried out.
The result is a considered refinement of a proven concept rather than a clean-sheet gamble.
Pros
- Full-aluminum construction, with an ice-breaking stem, watertight bulkheads, and beaching capability
- Centreboard and twin daggerboards combine shallow draught with adjustable handling and stability
- Doghouse and deck-saloon layout provide protected 360° visibility and watertight separation from the cockpit
- Larger owner’s cabin and forward ensuite than on the previous generation
- Central winch and coachroof-mounted shrouds simplify sail handling and movement around the deck
Cons
- Sail-area-to-displacement ratio is below 17 light ship, and the boat isn’t as close-winded as a performance cruiser
- The offset saloon and aft-head entrance rule out an island galley
- The conventional, non-self-tacking staysail loses the easy-tacking benefit of the older model
