Dolphin 47 (Alden)
Staysail Ketch · Long Keel · 1973–1978
A heavy-displacement staysail ketch from the board of John G. Alden, built for comfortable, stable blue-water cruising
Designed by John G. Alden Assoc, built by Hodgsdon Bros.
- LOA
- Beam
- Draft (max)
- Displacement
- Ballast
- Hull type
- Long Keel
See her sail
The Dolphin 47 (Alden), on the water
The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.
Footage from Lucky Pete Sailing AQUALIBRA
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
Her heavy displacement on a narrow beam gives 42 — a heavy, notably soft motion offshore.
At 1.66 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.
356 — very heavy for her waterline, a serious load-carrying cruiser.
13.9 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.
37% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.
Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.
- Heavier than ~83% of boats her size on file
- Draws less than ~76% of boats her size on file
- Beamier than ~80% of boats her size on file
Compared with 241 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.
The living fleet
Sailed by the fleet
Where the fleet has filmed this boat.
Seen once across one channel of the fleet.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Boats like this, on the water
More boats like her, on the water
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
The family
Related models
The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.
Keep asking
The fleet has more to say
Search what's been said about the Dolphin 47 (Alden), or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.
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