 ARC appearances in last 5 years - 8
Manufacturer's ranking - 1st
Following on from the success of the 40.7, the 47.7 is again a simple, straightforward boat which is competent throughout rather than outstanding in places. Overall she looks much like her sister, just longer and with more portlights in the sleek low-profile coachroof.
Her cockpit is a similar configuration, with a conventional layout for winches and control lines and a single wheel. Down below it's the same story.
She's simple, well finished and not too glitzy, and so provides a good basic canvas which you can either live with or decorate to your own taste. But just like the 40.7, it's her performance and handling under sail that is her best asset.
She may be getting on for 50ft, a size that many family or cruising sailors might baulk at, but underway she's light on the helm, easy to handle, gets a wiggle on and doesn't really feel so big. There are a few areas that need some attention to make her an easier boat to sail short-handed and more comfortable for long periods behind the wheel, but leading a few control lines and fitting footbraces for the helmsman are minor tweaks.
As we discovered when we tested one of the first boats back in February 2001, there are other boats that are a more tailored fit from the start but when it comes to price, (typical second-hand price of around £130,000) it's hard to resist the Bénéteau.
www.beneteau.com |
