Design and Construction
The Swan 47 is a glassfibre monohull with wood trim, built predominantly of glassfibre, with wood trim. Its raked stem and raised-counter reverse transom give it the purposeful stance associated with the period.
Below the waterline, the boat carries a fixed, swept fin keel and a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a wheel. This configuration pairs directional stability with reasonable close-quarters authority for a boat of its length. The 15,500 lb of lead ballast makes up a substantial share of the 32,400 lb displacement. With a 13.76 ft beam and a 36.24 ft waterline, the Swan 47 has the beamy, volume-rich hull for which the design is known, without departing from the restraint of the S&S line.
The standard keel draws 7.80 ft, which limits access to shallow water.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Performance
The Bermuda rig is a masthead sloop arrangement, with a keel-stepped mast, two sets of unswept spreaders, and aluminium spars with discontinuous stainless steel rod rigging. Its straightforward geometry rewards careful tuning, though the discontinuous rod rigging also calls for disciplined inspection.
The sail plan underlines the boat’s performance intentions. The 446 sq ft mainsail and 920 sq ft genoa provide 1,366 sq ft of upwind sail area. A 2,207 sq ft symmetrical spinnaker brings the downwind area to 2,652 sq ft.
A PHRF handicap of 66 to 81 places the Swan 47 among the credible club racers of its period. Its quoted hull speed of 8.07 kn reflects the long-waterline hull rather than a lightweight planing shape.
Accommodation
Below deck, the Swan 47 sleeps five. The bow cabin has a double V-berth, while the main cabin provides an L-shaped settee and a straight settee. Two aft cabins complete the sleeping plan: a double cabin to starboard and a single-berth cabin to port.
The split galley is on the port side, just abaft the companionway ladder, and includes a three-burner stove, ice box, and double sink. The navigation station faces it to starboard.
Two heads serve the interior. One is on the port side just aft of the bow cabin, and the other is aft to starboard. This distribution helps keep private and social spaces from colliding during a cruising watch.
Engine and Tankage
Docking and manoeuvring are handled by a Swedish Volvo Penta MD21A diesel producing 61 hp. It’s a sizeable auxiliary for a boat of this displacement and provides confident control in marina settings.
Tankage is generous for extended cruising, with 53 U.S. gallons of fuel and 93 U.S. gallons of fresh water. Those capacities support longer passages without constant concern about resupply.
Verdict
The Swan 47 S&S is a thoughtfully executed cruiser-racer that expresses its Sparkman & Stephens pedigree through balanced proportions rather than exaggerated extremes. It was built to be sailed hard while remaining comfortable to live aboard, and its rig and ballast scheme still appear sensible decades after production ended.
Pros
- Substantial lead ballast and a beamy hull provide stable, predictable cruising behavior
- Competitive masthead-sloop rig, rod rigging, and versatile symmetrical-spinnaker capability
- Five-berth layout, split galley, and two heads suit both racing crews and cruising couples
Cons
- The standard keel’s 7.80 ft draft restricts shallow-water access
- Discontinuous rod rigging requires disciplined tuning and inspection
- Production ended in 1984, so replacement parts require sourcing from specialist suppliers
