At 46 feet 9 inches overall, the North Wind 47 combines a three-cabin interior with twin steering positions and the tankage expected of a boat intended for long passages. Her numbers reinforce that purpose: a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 36.15, a displacement-length ratio of 245.76, and a comfort ratio of 33.20.
Design and Construction
Penna’s hull measures 37.34 feet on the waterline, with a beam of 13.88 feet. The boat displaces 28,660 pounds and carries 10,362 pounds of ballast. Draft is 6.56 feet.
The defining underwater arrangement is a fin keel with a partial skeg-hung rudder. This gives the hull the volume needed for bluewater cruising without sacrificing the maneuverability protected by a skeg-supported rudder. The immersion figure of 1,851.87 pounds per inch indicates how reluctantly she settles deeper as stores come aboard—useful when provisioning a boat built to cross oceans.
A capsize screening formula of 1.82 and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20.86 point to a conservative, self-righting profile with enough sail area—1,216.32 square feet reported—to make her 8.19-knot hull speed attainable in a breeze. Construction is straightforward GRP; the builder built her as a serious cruiser from the first unit in 1988.
Rig, Steering, and Power
The masthead sloop rig has a 55.81-foot foretriangle and a 49.25-foot mainsail luff. The sail plan includes a 739-square-foot 150-percent genoa and a 115-percent working jib. A spinnaker of roughly 1,508 square feet was also part of the plan, so downwind passages were clearly in the designer’s mind.
Twin helms allow the crew to steer from shelter or outside as conditions dictate. One is inside and has a seat; the other is in the cockpit. The center-cockpit layout keeps the primary steering position clear of the working foredeck.
The standard 100-horsepower Volvo Penta diesel gives the 28,660-pound hull ample push when maneuvering around a marina berth or motoring through a calm.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the North Wind 47 sleeps six to eight people in three cabins. The master cabin is aft and has an en-suite head. A V-berth lies forward, while a double guest cabin sits amidships.
The interior also includes a U-shaped galley, a saloon with dinette and settees, a proper navigation station, and two heads, one with a shower. High-quality teak is used throughout. The interior wood isn’t merely cosmetic; it marks a build standard aimed at owners who live aboard for months, not days.
Tankage follows the same long-haul logic. Water capacity is 238 gallons, and two 450-liter fuel tanks provide 900 liters in total. The 13,000-kilogram displacement also absorbs motion that lighter boats transmit below.
Refit and Ownership
One documented example illustrates the scale of renewal that a serious owner may undertake. All paint was stripped back to the gelcoat, the flying buttress was reinforced, the rudder stuffing box was replaced, and the mast partners were renovated.
In 2013, the teak deck was completely replaced with 25 mm stock glued in place without screws. Every Vetus window and Lewmar hatch was also renewed. The rigging was changed, and a remote-controlled Bamar electric genoa furler was added. Harken electric winches—two 60 ST units, along with assorted 40 ST and 20 ST models—were distributed between the cockpit and mast.
Other additions included a 1600 W remote-controlled windlass, stainless-steel davits, and a complete Raymarine and Garmin electronics suite. Together, these upgrades were aimed at short-handed, self-sufficient cruising.
Mechanical and electrical work included replacement of the main engine turbo and heaters, renewal of the generator valves and gaskets, and installation of new service batteries. The example shows that the platform rewards deep investment.
Verdict
The North Wind 47 is a thoughtfully proportioned bluewater cruiser from North Wind Yachts in the late 1980s. Penna’s hull balances load-carrying stability with manageable draft, while the three-cabin teak interior is arranged for liveaboard use.
She is no lightweight. Her displacement, systems, tankage, and documented refit history reflect an owner base more interested in crossing oceans than bay-hopping.
Pros
- Conservative capsize and comfort ratios suit extended offshore passages.
- Three-cabin teak interior, including an en-suite master cabin, supports long-term liveaboard cruising.
- Skeg-protected rudder and 100 hp Volvo provide confidence in close quarters and calms.
Cons
- A displacement-length ratio of 245.76 means she won’t be quick to accelerate in light air.
- The original 1988 construction predates modern vacuum-infusion methods.
- Many comforts depend on owner-added electronics and deck work, making the boat reliant on substantial refitting.
