Commissioned from Kauffman & Ladd by Ta Chiao, the CT-47 stands apart from the Garden and Perry traditions in the yard’s catalog. It is a modern, moderately proportioned cruiser rather than a traditional full-keel design.
Design and Construction
Ta Chiao built the CT-47 with a solid-fiberglass hull and offered different keel alternatives from the outset. One configuration draws 6.00 to 6.30 feet, depending on load. A fin-keel version draws 6.76–7.06 feet. Both restrict the boat to major-marina access.
The hull measures 46 feet 11 inches overall, with a 37-foot-6-inch waterline and a 13-foot-2-inch beam. Its length-to-beam ratio of 3.57 makes it slimmer than two-thirds of comparable boats. That proportion suggests a sea-kindly cruiser rather than a beamy charter hull.
Displacement is near 29,400 pounds, including roughly 12,000 pounds of lead ballast. The resulting 41 percent ballast ratio is higher than that of 76 percent of comparable designs. A displacement-length figure of 250 places the CT-47 among “moderate racers,” while 46 percent of similar boats are rated heavier.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The CT-47 carries a cutter rig with a 908-square-foot sail plan and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.38. Its running-rigging dimensions are conventional for a cruiser: jib and genoa sheets measure 47 feet and 5/8 inch in diameter, the estimated mainsheet length is 117.5 feet, and the 5/8-inch spinnaker sheet measures 103.4 feet.
Under power, a 60-horsepower inboard diesel and shaft drive provide a theoretical maximum of about 6.5 knots. The displacement hull’s theoretical top speed is 8.2 knots.
The CT-47 has a capsize screening value of 1.70, which, by that formula alone, would admit it to ocean racing. Its Motion Comfort Ratio of 36.3 is better than that of 62 percent of similar designs. A wetted surface of about 538 square feet and an immersion rate near 1,719 pounds per inch describe a substantial hull that holds its line in a seaway.
Accommodations
The CT-47 has seven berths, enough to support extended cruising with a small crew or family. The available record doesn’t itemize the layout beyond that figure. However, the 13-foot-2-inch beam and 37-foot-6-inch waterline provide the volume expected of a full-size cruising interior rather than a stripped-out racer, without resorting to extreme beam.
Draft and Marina Access
Draft is the main buyer-relevant caveat. Both keel options restrict the CT-47 to major marinas, and the fin-keel version demands deeper berthing.
Ownership and Refit Considerations
With fewer than 100 CT-47s built, owners have a small fleet and a limited pool of shared knowledge to draw on. Because Ta Chiao offered specific keel alternatives, a survey should confirm which draft applies to the individual hull.
The solid-fiberglass hull simplifies the basic construction picture, while the 60-horsepower diesel and shaft drive provide a conventional, serviceable platform for repowering or transmission work.
The Verdict
The CT-47 is a thoughtfully proportioned Ta Chiao cruiser, pairing a slim hull and high ballast ratio with a comfortable motion profile and ocean-capable screening numbers. It’s no lightweight, but its moderate displacement and cutter rig make it a credible bluewater candidate for a knowledgeable owner.
Pros
- High 41 percent ballast ratio, exceeding most similar designs
- Motion Comfort Ratio better than 62 percent of comparable boats
- Capsize screening value that admits ocean-racing consideration
- Seven berths for extended cruising
Cons
- Both keel options restrict the boat to major marinas
- Fewer than 100 built, limiting shared owner knowledge
