The Norseman 447 is a large Bluewater sailboat that was designed in the early 1980s. It is recognized as famous yacht designer Robert Perry’s “masterpiece.” That’s an incredible claim given that he’s created several bluewater cruisers that are in everyone’s top 20 list. These hulls, which were created to represent a completely modern approach to cruising yacht design, have stood the test of time and are still in high demand. Because of their streamlined hull form, which emphasizes sailing length and stability, they are known to perform effectively in a wide range of sea conditions. Lead ballast is located at the very bottom of the wide fin keel, increasing stability, and a large skeg rudder makes the helm light and extremely well-balanced.
The Norseman 447 is a large Bluewater sailboat that was designed in the early 1980s. The hull is constructed of fiberglass. Generally, a fiberglass hull requires very little maintenance during the sailing season. Because the draught is around 1.92 – 2.02 metres (6.30 – 6.60 ft) depending on the load, the boat may only enter major marinas.
The Norseman 447’s Sail Area/Displacement Ratio predicts that under the correct conditions, she will easily reach her maximum hull speed and meet the sailing performance requirements of most cruising sailors. The Ballast/Displacement Ratio allows it to stand up to her canvas in a blow, assisting her in powering through the waves. The Norseman 447 is a modest displacement cruiser, which means she can carry all of your cruising gear without sacrificing performance. The majority of today’s offshore cruising sailboats fall within this displacement category.
Because of all the time sailing it had that much flat deck room to walk around, line up, and pull on ropes, this has always been a vital element of a boat. A low flat steady platform is unbeatable for working. While the Bluewater Norseman 447 is a flush deck boat, it does include a small raised part that may be stepped over, rather than up onto like a cabin house. If you work the mast from deck level, that counts as the flush deck in my book. And once that dinghy is off the foredeck… wow, it’s big up there, and pretty level… at least flat enough for some yoga.
Internal chainplates run the entire length of the deck. It takes a while to really comprehend the “accessibility” of these chainplates. They’re hidden behind some paneling inside the salon lockers, but they’re still reachable. This means you won’t have to sift through fiberglass to find them! Some sailboats have the chainplates glassed in, sandwiching them between layers of cloth and resin, where any water intrusion will inevitably harm them. This problem affects many other Taiwanese vessels.
It has an interesting Bobby P. design concept. This particular specimen appears to be very well-maintained and improved, and it is labeled as ready to go. She was built in Taiwan’s legendary Tashing boatyard, and she oozes all of the magnificent craftsmanship they’re known for. She greets those aboard with a warm, rich interior glow and a sophisticated interior arrangement suited for comfortable travel. Fold a seat back and hang some support bars from the ceiling to make a bunk bed. It makes getting to the lockers behind a little more challenging, but the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. When it comes to project time, this bunk bed without the mattress (backrest) transforms into an outstanding workstation. It’s where you keep the epoxy, tools, paint, rebuild pumps, and set up jigs, among other things. But let us return to the bunk. It is frequently used as an anchor. A lee cloth is required while underway on a starboard tack, and the bars contribute to your sense of security.
This Bob Perry is a high-performance cruiser. Not with the continuous line traveler, which cleans up the cockpit and removes any superfluous line heaps. A two-way winch with a centre locking position makes tending and adjusting the traveler an easy, clean operation for one, even a fatigued one. This construction makes it simple to winch the traveler to windward if necessary.
A good reefing system is essential. Keep things simple and straightforward. Boats are frequently seen to be completely overpowered, with the helmsman straining to maintain control of his vessel. It’s difficult to steer with a steady breeze of 15, gusting to 20. As a result, it is critical to ensure that the sail has reef points and that you understand how to use them. It may have a winch on the back of the mast. It is on the boom with her reef outhaul winch. It’s not an awful spot, but there are moments when people are leaning precariously over the edge to tuck a reef, or worse, on the leeward side, drowning beneath a pile of sail as they try to tug on the outhaul. Moving the winch to the mast amidship solves all of those problems, which is ideal.
Now you can also precisely calculate the expenses related to boat ownership to make smart choices based on your budget and sailing needs. Use this bluewater Sailboat Calculator to explore different options and make the best decision.
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