Absolute 47 FLY Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

For a boat that measures a whisker under 50ft, the Absolute 47 FLY does an impressive job of getting the most from its exterior deck spaces. Step aboard via the hi-lo bathing platform and you’ll find enough real estate to stow and launch a tender with ease. There’s storage built in too, ideal for deck gear, warps, and shore power leads.

The cockpit, fully enclosable with removable canopies, is neatly linked to the aft galley via a drop-down window, creating a free-flowing indoor-outdoor space. A good-sized lazarette hides beneath the cockpit sole, accessed via a hatch that avoids interfering with the main seating area.

Wide, secure side decks lead forward to a superbly sociable foredeck, complete with adjustable table, optional sunpad infill, pop-up lighting, and cup holders tucked where you want them. There’s even stowage for a life raft under the bow seating. Stainless anchor gear with an electric winch rounds out the setup.

The flybridge is a standout on a boat this size. There’s a full dining area aft, a sunpad beside the upper helm with pop-up backrests, and a grill station with sink, fridge and more storage. Canopy stowage lives up here too. This boat features a sleek bimini mounted on a radar arch, but a hardtop is available. Engine and joystick controls are positioned right on the edge, which makes docking far easier when you need to see exactly where you're nudging the hull.

Details such as cutaway bulwarks forward of the saloon enhance the view from inside, while deep rails maintain safety. Small touches like cupholders, canopy poppers, manual bilge pump handles, and filler access points are all present and correct.

Absolute was one of the early adopters of the aft galley layout, and on this 47 FLY it works beautifully. A powered drop-down window fully opens the galley to the cockpit, encouraging that open-plan living style that so many enjoy.

The galley is impressively equipped, with a large fridge-freezer, wine cooler, dishwasher, multifunction oven and hob, and even a dedicated bin that moonlights as an ice bucket. Storage is excellent, and they’ve included neatly secured crockery and stemware drawers with Italian-style fiddles and pegs. Espresso cups included, naturally.

Aesthetically, the interior combines a light oak palette with high-gloss dark accents commissioned by the UK dealer to break up the tone. Big picture windows surround the saloon, with drop blinds integrated throughout. There’s an adjustable-height saloon table that transforms between coffee and dining modes, a pop-up TV, Fusion audio, and air conditioning with diffuse outlets. Even ventilation is considered, with a powered opening window opposite the galley.

All electrical systems are controlled from a dedicated distribution panel neatly tucked into the cabinetry.

Owner's Cabin

Unusually for this class, the full-beam owner’s suite sits forward in the bow. This brings with it huge hull windows, circular opening portholes, and plenty of daylight. There’s a smart dressing table to port, decent walkaround space, and concealed pre-wiring for a TV installation above the berth. The escape hatch above the bed comes with a stowable ladder.

Material quality carries through here too, with more of the oak and gloss finish seen above. Storage includes a tall wardrobe and further drawer spaces. An ensuite bathroom is accessed via a pocket door and offers a decent-sized separate shower, basin and more storage. The layout is clean and efficient, and for a boat under 15m, the sense of volume is a real achievement.

Guest Accommodation

Rather than sticking the owner's cabin amidships and squeezing in bunks elsewhere, Absolute has flipped the formula. Aft of the forward master are two guest cabins, both with proper double beds. The port-side cabin is particularly impressive, feeling almost like a second owner’s suite. There’s loads of standing headroom, thanks to clever use of the saloon seating above and the rising hull profile, and again the big hull windows let in masses of light. It’s pre-wired for a TV, has a full-height wardrobe, and offers a genuine sense of privacy.

The third cabin, to starboard, is again a double rather than bunks. It’s slightly smaller but still offers proper headroom, natural light, and good stowage. Between these two cabins sits the day heads, shared by both. It includes a generous shower enclosure, basin, and loo, and doesn’t feel like a compromise at all. The result is a genuinely adult-friendly three-cabin layout, rare at this size.

Access to the engine room is via the cockpit deck hatch, which opens on solid twin catches. Power comes from a pair of Volvo Penta D6 IPS 650s, offering 480hp apiece. These push the 47 FLY to just over 30 knots flat out, with an easy cruise in the low-to-mid 20s. Expect around 300 nautical miles of range at those speeds, with significantly more available at displacement pace.

Pod drives simplify handling and free up space, while a joystick and bow thruster setup make tight marina work a breeze. The engineering layout is clean, with twin fuel tanks, hot water systems, chargers, and the generator all in arm’s reach. 

The Absolute 47 FLY is very much aimed at the hands-on owner. There’s no crew cabin, no separate systems room, and no real expectation of needing either. But what you do get is a boat that’s easy to run, easy to live with, and cleverly set up for straightforward access to the important stuff.

Joystick docking, side-deck access from the lower helm, and a bow thruster mean single- or short-handed mooring is well within reach. IPS pod drives help with that too, of course by simplifying slow-speed control and freeing up space elsewhere on board. Access to engineering is equally clean, with filters, tanks, battery charger, generator and even the fire suppression system all designed to be within easy reach.

Fuel capacity sits at 1,600 litres. At a cruising pace of 22 knots, consumption averages around 140 litres per hour, which equates to around 6.5-7 litres per nautical mile and delivers a range of approximately 300 nm with 10 % reserve. Fuel effectiveness peaks closer to 25 knots, where consumption dips toward 6.5 litres per nautical mile before climbing at higher revs

With three proper cabins, a decent galley, generator, and air con, it’s easily equipped for extended weekends or summer cruising, especially in warmer climates. And if you’re based in the UK, the high-low bathing platform and full cockpit enclosure extend the boating season without needing to stretch the boat's spec list.

Annual running costs, excluding finance and depreciation, will vary with location and usage, but a working figure in the region of 7-9% of the purchase price is realistic for most European private owners. That includes berthing, servicing, insurance, fuel, and regular upkeep like antifouling and polishing. 

A British-built rival would be the Princess F45, while a second-hand Carver C52 offers a similarly owner-focused layout from the US.

At under 50ft, the Absolute 47 FLY delivers three-cabin accommodation, big exterior social spaces, and enough gadgetry and design flourish to give it a premium feel. The decision to put the owner’s suite in the bow may look dubious on paper, but in practice it unlocks an incredibly spacious and practical lower deck layout.

Everywhere you look, the boat feels thoughtfully designed. The flybridge is a particular triumph, and the way the saloon connects to the cockpit makes entertaining straightforward. IPS drives and joystick control make this a great pick for an owner-operator, and the blend of style, equipment, and clever thinking punches well above its length overall. Add in Absolute’s reputation for finish and engineering, and it’s a very tempting option in this size bracket.