Formosa 43 Buyer's Guide
Shopping a used Formosa 43 means weighing Ron Holland's 1980 Taiwanese cruiser with solid glass hull and teak-over-plywood deck. With only 20 built and a single Volvo Penta MD 21A 60-horsepower diesel, she is a scarce boat whose examples demand a careful eye on the deck and hull-to-deck joint rather than on engine rarity at any viewing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Buyers should expect the standard sleeping plan: three private cabins plus a galley and head in teak, the 12.58-foot beam giving more room than half of comparable boats anchor. The 33.33-foot waterline and 120-gallon water tank suit liveaboard or long-range cruising, while the 60-gallon fuel capacity is modest for the 24,800-pound displacement and rewards conservative passage planning.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A used Formosa 43 commonly carries a watermaker, heating, solar panels, lithium batteries, and an inverter as part of her energy cluster, with a wind generator and bow thruster frequently added for autonomous anchoring. Sail-handling upgrades often include a furling main and electric winches, while canvas typically features a bimini and dodger. Navigation is usually covered by AIS, autopilot, and chartplotter, and a life raft is a common safety fit; teak decks and a swim platform round out the comfort list, with a washing machine seen on some boats.
What to Inspect
The teak deck over plywood is the prime watch item; probe for softness and failed caulking letting water into core. Check the solid hull below for grounding scars, since there is no core to hide damage. Confirm the MD 21A and 60-gallon fuel are sound, and that 14 mm sheets and masthead rig are not fatigued after decades of service.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Spanish listings are the typical market for the Formosa 43. A buyer's short checklist:
- Inspect teak deck seams for softness and core water ingress
- Check solid hull below waterline for grounding damage
- Verify Volvo Penta MD 21A and fuel system condition
- Test masthead rigging and 14 mm sheets for fatigue
- Confirm three-cabin teak layout and 120-gallon tank integrity
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Formosa 43. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 25 | 1 | $75,714 | — |
Where they're listed
Formosa 43 listings appear across 1 country. Spain has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | $75,714 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dufour Classic 43 | 43' | $ 87,362 | 33 | 3 |
| Slocum 43 | 42.5' | $ 105,000 | 27 | 2 |
| Formosa 47 | 46.42' | $ 110,802 | 14 | 7 |
| Contest Yachts 43 | 42.65' | $ 186,372 | 13 | 4 |
| Mason 43 | 43.83' | $ 79,900 | 10 | 1 |
| Gulfstar 43 | 43.33' | $ 47,450 | 8 | 2 |
| Formosa 43You are here | — | $ 75,714 | 1 | 0 |