Design and Construction
The Formosa 47 measures 14.15 meters overall, with an 11.05-meter waterline, a 4.27-meter beam, and a displacement of 14,000 kg. Her solid-fiberglass hull combines a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder. The keel carries 4,504 kg of cast-iron ballast.
Her displacement-to-length ratio is 289 based on the waterline figure, placing her firmly among heavy, volume-oriented cruisers. A comfort ratio of 36.09 and a capsize screening result of around 1.79 to 1.80 put her within the range that period analyses considered acceptable for ocean-racing evaluation on that formula alone.
The beam-to-length ratio of 3.30 produces a hull that reviewers described as roomier than about two-thirds of comparable designs. The designer appears to have deliberately chosen a slightly roomier hull form. Depending on the figures used, the ballast-to-displacement ratio is about 32 to 37 percent—higher than for most similar sailboats. Period commentary linked that ratio to an above-average ability to resist heeling.
Rig and Handling
The Formosa 47 was delivered as a masthead ketch, although a cutter rig was also offered. Reported sail area is 125 square meters, giving an SA/D ratio of around 21.9.
Her fin keel provides splendid maneuverability in close quarters, though it gives up some directional stability compared with a long-keel arrangement. With about 59 square meters of wetted surface and a hull speed around 8 knots, she was built for steady passage-making rather than acceleration.
Period data specifies 16 mm sheets for the jib, genoa, mainsheet, and spinnaker leads. The mainsheet alone is listed at just over 35 meters.
Accommodations and Machinery
Below decks, the Formosa 47 has 11 berths. That count reflects both three-cabin owner layouts and the ex-charter interior plans found in the fleet.
Tankage is substantial, with a 340-gallon water capacity and a 180-gallon fuel capacity, supporting long independent stretches away from port. An 80-horsepower Lehman Ford diesel drives a direct shaft installation suited to the boat’s displacement.
Draft and Berthing
The principal operational limitation is draft. Depending on load, sources put it at roughly 2.25 to 2.35 meters: SailWiki lists 2.26 m, while YachtDatabase gives 2.25–2.35 m. That draft confines her to major harbors.
This is a straightforward consequence of the fin-keel geometry rather than a defect, but it affects where the boat can be berthed and refueled.
The Verdict
The Formosa 47 is a heavy, beamy, fin-keel ketch. She offers voluminous accommodations and a reassuring ballast profile for offshore use. Her deep draft and single-year production run are the main caveats for buyers comparing her with shallower-draft contemporaries.
Pros
- High ballast ratio improves righting moment and resistance to heeling
- Roomy hull form, with 11 berths and large tankage
- Fin keel provides strong close-quarters maneuverability
Cons
- Deep draft restricts her to major marinas
- Fin keel offers less directional stability than a long keel
- Single-year 1980 production limits fleet commonality
