Saare 47: Mid-cockpit yacht with classic lines on test

Harmonious lines instead of edges and chamfers, sloping hull ends instead of vertical sterns, moderate width instead of brute volume maximisation. The Saare 47 demonstrates a certain sense of traditional, or let's say timeless, design. Without appearing outdated or too conservative. Another characteristic: in one area, the boats from the Baltic States are more or less alone on the market: they can be customised to an extent that is usually only achieved by semi-one-offs. While most shipyards only offer a few pre-constructed variants and different types of wood for furniture and flooring, Saare goes the extra mile.

Special requests become options or standard with the Saare 47.

Offset lockers, customised tables, a protective doghouse instead of a sprayhood in the cockpit, a targa bracket for the mainsheet or an oil locker in the saloon, for which the navigation corner is redesigned and moved forwards, are just a few examples of special requests that the shipyard implements. Dealer Thomas Nielsen from Eckernförde, who took over the shipyard in Estonia in 2016: "The wide range of customer requests are commonplace for us and we often take on these things later as options or even as standard."

Doghouse for high widths, customised furniture, two office workstations, oil cabinet - anything goes."

The second central theme on the new Saare 47 is the centre cockpit. It is quite deep and is well protected by a fixed windscreen and high coamings. The passage in and out of the cockpit requires a large step, the coaming is not only high but also wide. The dents are also generously dimensioned: 2.47 metres long and almost fifty centimetres wide, which is downright princely and significantly more than the competition from Hallberg-Rassy, Contest or Najad offers.

The Saare 47 at YACHTtv

Big wheel, lots of electronic helpers

The helmsman works on the single wheel. This measures 100 centimetres across and somewhat restricts the view of the genoa lines when seated. A larger wheel and therefore a more favourable seating position would be possible with corresponding cut-outs in the thwarts and a narrower coaming - a special request, see above. But then it would be more difficult to get from the wheel to the cockpit. It would be easier to operate the winches, which on the prototype are located outside the cockpit coaming and therefore very far away from the ergonomically justifiable cranks. Moving them to the coaming would make them easier to operate. However, given the size of the boat, it is advisable to electrify the drums anyway. The boatyard offers this, but goes one step further: Harken's Rewind winches are available as an option, which can then not only be retrieved from the wheel at the touch of a button, but also fished.

The extendable bow and stern thrusters from Sleipnir/Sidepower with proportional control, which allow the ship to be moved and held to windward even against crosswinds, also ensure ease of use. The complete docking system comes on board for 40,000 euros, a good investment for the peace of mind of a small crew.

High stability and controllability even in uncomfortable conditions

Further conveniences: The rubbing strake moulded from the hull effectively protects the boat against poles. A ladder is integrated into the wide bow platform. The closed stern is equipped with several steps, a bathing platform can be extended electrically underneath and is even included as standard. The bathing and rescue ladder is attached to the side of the stern and can also be used without the bathing platform, a safety feature. Just like the collision bulkheads in the fore and aft sections, the Orca is ready to go. Behind the bow bulkhead, a sail load is available from which code zero or gennaker can be set directly and conveniently.

And off we go. For the autumn test, Eckernförde Bay welcomes us with easterly gusty winds and a nasty wave that is even shorter and more unpleasant than is typical for the Baltic Sea with more breeze. Steep, high, short - to despair. However, the conditions are suitable for attesting to the Saare's high stability and controllability. In true winds of up to 20 knots, the full rig can still be carried, even if this is no longer effective. The speed on this cobblestone pavement is still up to 6.5 knots and the boat is still travelling at a very good height of around 40 degrees. Elvström's Xylo sails with the latest filament technology are helpful here. A second test day (on which the lead photo was also taken) did not produce any reliable results due to the very weak and strong wind.

The Saare 47 is a moderately performing cruising boat

What became apparent regardless of the wind: Harken's Unipower input winch for the mainsheet is a little coarse and very fast, which takes some getting used to; another solution would be desirable in this area. After a tough cross due to the waves, salvation came: the ship dropped to 60 degrees and hammered away, easily reaching top speeds of 8 knots plus, sometimes exceeding the hull speed and also under full control and with a dry deck.

The Saare also stands for good performance in theory: 39 per cent ballast in a pure lead keel with a draught of 2.20 metres means a lot of stability despite the boat's smaller width. The sail carrying capacity of 4.5 indicates a moderate-performance cruising boat, which puts her in line with her equally capable sisters. One small drawback: power is transmitted from the centre cockpit around many corners and over long distances to the quadrant by a cardan shaft, which is an elaborate and backlash-free solution, but proves to be somewhat sluggish.

Under engine, the Saare 47 shows no major conspicuous features; the good sound insulation should be emphasised. For the engine, 110 instead of 75 hp is an option, and an Oceanvolt electric motor is also possible. A 24-volt on-board power supply with lithium batteries, a large inverter and a powerful charger can also be ordered, enabling convenient electric cooking on board. Further options relate to the galley itself: This can be accommodated on the starboard side next to the companionway. Alternatively, the space can be used for a boat office, a bunk bed cabin or a utility room. The galley then moves partly into the passageway to the aft cabin. The spacious navigation corner is then omitted - or is built into the saloon, see semi-one-off again.

Spacious and bright interior in decent quality

In addition to the spacious saloon, which is very bright thanks to the high and therefore large superstructure windows (which unfortunately cannot be opened) and three deck hatches, the similarly voluminous aft cabin should be emphasised. In addition to a 1.60 metre wide rectangular bed, it offers ample storage space in the passageway as well as in other cupboards and lockers and has a comfortable bathroom with a separate shower, which provides a footwell measuring a full 84 x 78 centimetres. There is even space for a washing machine in the bathroom. The aforementioned passageway is comfortably designed with a headroom of just under two metres and a good width; the voluminous cockpit coaming has a positive effect here.

A second wet room is installed in the foredeck and there is also plenty of storage space here in cupboards, lockers and drawers. The berth is even wider than the one aft: 2.05 metres can be measured at shoulder height. The entire interior is finished in reddish-brown Khaya mahogany or the more modern light-coloured oak (test boat). The paintwork is silk matt, the edges are moulded, the fits and joints are clean and the gaps are small. Only the floor offered potential for improvement due to large and heterogeneous gaps. The shipyard also put a lot of effort into what is visible: doors and cupboard doors are manufactured as a weight-saving sandwich construction with a honeycomb core. Bulkheads and the deck-hull connection are laminated all round. The GRP floor assembly consisting of high strings and floor cradles is bonded to the hull using industrial adhesive and many layers of laminate. The hull and deck are produced as a sandwich with a foam core using the higher quality vinyl ester resin in a vacuum infusion process, which stands for good laminates without air pockets and with a desirable resin content.

All in all: a good mid-cockpit boat with few negative points. The Saare 47 combines good things from earlier and current times and impresses with its high degree of customisation.

Measured values Saare 47

Technical data Saare 47

• Design engineer: Karl-Johan Strahlmann
• CE design category: A
• Torso length: 14,28 m
• Total length: 15,13 m
• Waterline length: 12,55 m
• Width: 4,20 m
• Draught/alternative: 2,20/2,00 m
• Mast height above water length: 21,55 m
• Theoretical torso speed: 8.6 kn
• Weight: 13,0 t
• Ballast/proportion: 5,05 t/39 %
• Mainsail: 59,00 m2
• Furling genoa (103 %): 51,00 m2
• machine (Volvo Penta): 55 kW/75 hp
• Fuel tank: 400 l
• Fresh water tank: 500 l
• Holding tanks: 106/80 l
• Batteries: 4 x 165 AH + 1 x 90 AH

Hull and deck construction

Vacuum infusion with Divinycell foam core and vinyl ester resin. Deck-hull joint laminated

Equipment and prices

Base price ex shipyard: € 984,203

• Standard equipment included: Engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, anchor/chain, fender/mooring fire extinguisher, electric cooler, holding tank with suction, antifouling paint
• For an extra charge: Sail (main and genoa) € 23,263, sailcloth € 2,265, clear sailing handover € 6,250

Price ready to sail: € 1,015,981

Warranty/against osmosis: 2/5 years

Surcharge for comfort equipment

• Line-adjustable hole points: inclusive
• Traveller with line guide: 3.912 €
• Electric windlass: inclusive
• Tube kicker: inclusive
• Backstay tensioner: inclusive
• Jumping cleats: inclusive
• Sprayhood: inclusive
• Teak in the cockpit: inclusive
• VHF radio: 2.224 €
• Log and echo sounder: inclusive
• Wind measuring system: inclusive
• Autopilot: 11.719 €
• Charger: inclusive
• Shore connection with RCD: inclusive
• 230 volt sockets: inclusive
• 12-volt sockets: inclusive
• Heating: 9.335 €
• Pressurised water system: inclusive
• Hot water boiler: inclusive
• Shower WC room: inclusive
• Cockpit shower: 765 €

Comfort price : 1.043.936 €

Included in the price: Flexi Teek on the superstructure, side decks, cockpit and bathing platform, electric halyard winch to starboard, electric halyard and mainsheet winch, fixed cockpit windscreen, rubbing strake

As of 2024, how the prices shown are defined can be found here!

Comfortable winches

The fore sheet winches are optionally electrified. With rewind winches from Harken, halyards and sheets can also be hauled tight and furled from the wheel at the touch of a button

Better batteries

The innovation package contains LiFe batteries (24 V) with 2 x 200 Ah, an inverter/charger with 120 A and an induction cooker

Many functions

Next to the companionway on the starboard side, the customer can place the galley, an office space, a third cabin or a workroom

More range

Additional 250-litre tanks for water and diesel are available for €3,868 each

Alternative drive

A 25 kW electric drive from Oceanvolt with a 34.8 kWh battery bank and 18 kW generator is available instead of the combustion engine

Shipyard and distribution

• Saare Yachts; saare-yachts.com
• Yachtsport Eckernförde; yse.de

YACHT review Saare 47

Variable customisation and details, good sailing characteristics, high-quality wood and GRP work. The Saare 47 is a good boat with little competition that will enrich the small market for centre-cockpit yachts

Design and concept

Great customisability
Timeless lines
High-quality construction
Sail load available

Sailing performance and trim

Sails high, stiff and fast
Good control with a lot of position
Threads are difficult to see when seated
Wheel system somewhat stiff

Living and finishing quality

Excellent woodwork
Very good comfort dimensions
Many storage options
Large cockpit
Floor with large gaps

Equipment and technology

Clean installations
Very well equipped
Mainsheet winch too fast

The competition of the Saare 47

Hallberg-Rassy 44

Slightly smaller modern centre cockpit yacht with wide stern, double rudder and fixed sprit. Stiff, fast, high quality

• Hull length 13.68 m
• Width 4.20 m
• Weight 13.3 tonnes
• from 781,682 euros

YACHT test: Issue 03/2017

Najad 451 CC

Revised older and smaller boat, also available as an aft cockpit yacht. Very well built and equipped

• Hull length 13.50 m
• Width 4.03 m
• Weight 14.0 tonnes
• from 682,499 euros

YACHT test: Issue 03/2017 (Najad 450 cc)