Stevens 47 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Stevens 47 is characterized by a "rocket ship" stern and a deep forefoot that allows it to slice through a head sea without the pounding common in flatter-bottomed modern designs. With a ballast-to-displacement ratio of roughly 45%, the boat is exceptionally stiff and capable of carrying its sail area well into heavy weather. Its elongated fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide a balanced helm that tracks with precision, a hallmark of Sparkman & Stephens design philosophy.

In terms of raw speed, the Stevens 47 is known for its ability to consistently reel off 200-nautical-mile days during ocean passages. The tall cutter rig provides flexibility, allowing sailors to reduce sail area while maintaining a balanced center of effort. While the boat excels on a reach, it is also praised for its light-air performance—a rarity for a vessel with a displacement of 32,000 lbs. According to editorial reviews in Cruising World, the hull’s sharp entry and centered weight (with the engine located low and forward under the cockpit) contribute to a seakindly motion that minimizes fatigue during long offshore hauls.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Stevens 47 is a masterclass in traditional joinery, featuring extensive use of solid teak and teak veneers. The layout typically includes three staterooms and two or three heads. The owner’s suite is located aft, accessible via a walkthrough galley to port or a second passage to starboard. While many later Hylas variants adopted a centerline queen berth, many original Stevens 47s were configured with split port and starboard berths in the aft cabin to provide secure sleeping quarters while at sea.

The main saloon is narrower than contemporary "wide-beam" cruisers, a deliberate design choice to provide safe handholds and shorter distances to "fall" when moving about in a seaway. High-signal reports from David Walters Yachts note that the inline galley is particularly well-suited for cooking under heavy heel, offering the chef multiple bracing points. Ventilation is a standout feature, with six large hatches and up to 14 opening portlights providing significant airflow in tropical climates.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Stevens 47 has a dedicated following among world circumnavigators. The most prominent example is the vessel Totem, which has served as a full-time home and global classroom for the Gifford family for over 15 years. Their extensive documentation of the boat’s performance and durability has solidified its reputation as a premier choice for families seeking a serious blue water platform.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach a Stevens 47 with a detailed inspection plan, as these vessels are now entering their fourth and fifth decades of service.

• Plywood Subfloors: Unlike the solid fiberglass hull, the subfloors beneath the teak and holly soles are often made of plywood. Over decades, leaks from shower pans or plumbing can lead to delamination and rot in these hidden structural members.
• Fuel and Water Tanks: Many original hulls were fitted with black iron fuel tanks. These are prone to internal corrosion and "pinholing," which can be difficult to detect until a leak occurs. Replacing these often requires significant joinery removal.
• Chainplates: While the Stevens 47 does not typically suffer from the "glassed-in" chainplate issues found on some other Taiwanese builds of the era, the stainless steel plates and their mounting points should be inspected for crevice corrosion, especially if the boat has spent significant time in the tropics.
• Deck Coring: The decks are balsa-cored. While Queen Long's construction was superior to many of its contemporaries, any unsealed deck hardware penetrations over 40 years can lead to core saturation and soft spots.
• Hull "Oil Canning": High-mileage examples have occasionally reported slight waviness or "oil canning" in the bow sections after decades of pounding into head seas, though this is typically a sign of extreme use rather than a fundamental design flaw.

Community & Resources

The Stevens 47 is supported by a robust network of owners and historians. The Hylas Yacht Owners Association serves as the primary technical repository for both Stevens and Hylas models, offering a forum where owners share refit advice and original blueprints. Additionally, the Sparkman & Stephens Association maintains records of the design (#2390/2394) for those seeking original architectural specifications.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Exceptional S&S-designed sea motion and tracking.
• "Overbuilt" construction quality from a top-tier Taiwanese shipyard.
• Large tankage and storage capacities for long-range cruising.
• High resale value and "cult" status among offshore sailors.

Cons:

• Large displacement and skeg-hung rudder can make close-quarters maneuvering under power challenging without a bow thruster.
• Maintenance-heavy teak interiors and balsa-cored decks require vigilant upkeep.
• Original black iron tanks are a "ticking clock" if not already replaced.