The Aerodyne 47 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Aerodyne 47, a light displacement fractional sloop, is a modern sailboat that was first launched in 2002 by Aerodyne Yachts, a company now based in Finland.

The boat was designed by Rodger Martin, a renowned naval architect who has created many successful racing and cruising yachts.

'Pandora', a Aerodyne 47 high-performance cruising yacht at anchor off Deshaies, Guadeloupe, French West Indies

'Pandora', an Aerodyne 47 - Build #3.
Note the Code Zero on the Solent rig and self-tacking jib.

The boat has a sleek and elegant hull shape, with a plumb bow, a wide stern and a low freeboard. She also has a spacious aft cockpit, a large swim platform and a transom garage for storing a dinghy.

The accommodation layout

The interior of the Aerodyne 47 is equally impressive. The boat has three cabins and two heads, with plenty of storage space and natural light.

The main salon has a U-shaped settee and a large dining table on the port side, and a long settee and a navigation station on the starboard side.

The galley is located aft of the salon, on the port side, and has a three-burner stove, an oven, a refrigerator, a freezer and a double sink.

The owner's cabin is located forward of the salon, and has a queen-sized berth, a hanging locker and an ensuite head with a separate shower stall.

The two guest cabins are located aft of the salon, on either side of the companionway, and have double berths and shared access to the second head.

Published Specification for the Aerodyne 47

Underwater Configuration: Shoal draft bulb keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: Composite

Length Overall: 46'7" (14.2m)

Waterline Length: 42'1" (12.8m)

Beam: 14'4" (4.4m)

Draft: 6'0" (1.8m)

Rig Type: Fractional solent-rigged sloop

Displacement: 25,370lb (11,532kg)

Designer: Roger Martin Design

Builder: Aerodyne Marine (South Africa)

Year First Built: 2001

Year Last Built: 2007

Published Design Ratios for the Aerodyne 47

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.5

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.7

Displacement/Length Ratio: 152

Comfort Ratio: 26.0

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Aerodyne 47

The Aerodyne 47, based on the above design ratios, would theoretically have the following sailing characteristics:

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (17.5): This ratio falls within the 16 to 20 range, indicating that the Aerodyne 47 should have reasonably good performance. It suggests that the boat is neither underpowered nor overly powerful, striking a balance between speed and stability.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio (40.7): A ratio above 40 suggests that the boat is stiff and powerful, able to stand up well to the wind.

Displacement/Length Ratio (152): This ratio falls within the 100-200 range, indicating that the Aerodyne 47 is a light displacement boat. It suggests that the boat requires less power to reach its design hull speed, which could translate to faster speeds and better fuel efficiency.

Comfort Ratio (26): This ratio falls within the 20 to 30 range, suggesting that the boat's motion is similar to that of a coastal cruiser. It indicates that the boat should provide a reasonable level of comfort for the crew, although it may not be as comfortable as a heavy bluewater boat. But see below...

Capsize Screening Formula (1.9): A result less than 2.0 suggests that the boat is well-suited for ocean passages, as it has a lower vulnerability to capsizing.

It's important to note that these ratios are theoretical and based on certain assumptions. For instance, the Ballast/Displacement Ratio doesn't consider the location of the ballast, which can significantly impact the boat's stiffness and stability.

Similarly, Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio favors heavy displacement, narrow-beamed vessels with long overhangs. Therefore, modern light-displacement, beamy cruisers with plumb bows may not score well on the comfort ratio, even though they may have bluewater capability. The Aerodyne 47 is such a boat.

These ratios should be used as guides and not definitive measures of a boat's performance or comfort. Actual sailing performance can be influenced by a variety of factors including the boat's design, construction, and the skill of the crew.

How does the Aerodyne 47 sail?

The Aerodyne 47 is not only comfortable but also fast and agile. The boat has a powerful sail plan that includes a fully battened mainsail with lazy jacks and stack pack, a self-tacking jib, an asymmetric spinnaker and a code zero. The boat also has an adjustable backstay to control the mast bend and sail shape.

She can sail upwind at close to 8 knots in moderate winds, and reach speeds of over 12 knots on a broad reach or run. The boat can also sail well in light winds, thanks to its light displacement and low wetted surface area.

The Aerodyne 47 is also easy to handle and maneuver. She has a balanced spade rudder that provides good feedback and control.

The boat also has a bow thruster that helps with docking and tight turns.

She can be sailed by one or two people, as all the lines are led back to the cockpit. The cockpit has two large wheels that offer good visibility and access to the instruments. The cockpit also has four self-tailing winches that can be operated by foot switches or remote controls.

The Aerodyne 47 is also stable and seaworthy, with a high righting moment that gives it resistance to heeling and rolling. She also has a high ballast ratio that lowers its center of gravity and increases its stability, and can handle rough seas and strong winds without compromising its speed or comfort.

Who is the Aerodyne 47 for?

The Aerodyne 47 is ideal for anyone who loves sailing and wants to explore different places and conditions. The boat can accommodate up to six people comfortably for long-term cruising or short-term chartering.

The boat can also be used for racing or performance cruising, as it has won several regattas and awards in its class.

The Aerodyne 47 is also suitable for anyone who appreciates quality and style. The boat is built with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and has a sleek and elegant appearance.

Being built to order these boats are highly customizable, as the owner can choose from different options and colors for the hull, deck, sails and interior.

How much does the Aerodyne 47 cost?

Clearly a sailboat of this quality is not going to be cheap. The Aerodyne 47 has a base price of around $500,000, which includes the standard equipment and features.

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And finally...

The Aerodyne 47 is a sailboat that combines speed, comfort and versatility in a stunning package.

The boat is designed to perform well in any kind of sailing situation, from cruising to racing, from inshore to offshore, from light to heavy winds.

The boat is also equipped with many features that make sailing easier and more enjoyable, and is ideal for anyone who loves sailing and wants to have a fast and comfortable sailboat for all occasions.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com