Design and Construction
Perry’s design combines a 34.5-foot waterline with a draft that varies from 6.0 to 6.30 feet depending on load. Her long-keel configuration favors directional stability in a seaway over agility to windward.
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, while the interior is finished in teak, as was common in Ta Shing’s cruising boats. A displacement-to-length ratio of 278 and a length-to-beam ratio of 3.09 describe a moderate hull with substantial volume. About 505 square feet of wetted surface is consistent with a full, long-keel form that holds its course offshore.
An immersion rate of 1,617 pounds per inch further illustrates how heavily the Panda 40 sits for her length. That weight contributes to comfort but limits her liveliness in marginal breezes.
Rig and Handling
The Panda 40 carries a cutter rig, a practical offshore arrangement for a boat of this displacement. With the ISO reference sail, her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 14.7. With a 135 percent genoa, it rises to 17.8, providing a useful turn of speed as the breeze fills.
Period specifications list both the mainsail halyard and the jib/genoa halyard at 119.3 feet long and half an inch in diameter. The working sheets are about 40 feet long and 14 millimeters in diameter. These dimensions indicate that the running rigging was specified for secure, low-stretch control under load.
A capsize screening value of 1.67 and a motion comfort ratio of 41.48 place her among the steadier cruising designs of her era. Her theoretical maximum speed is 8.0 knots, reached from a cruise of 6.0 knots and a measured maximum of 7.0 knots.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the Panda 40 has two cabins and a berth plan listed as four plus three, along with a galley and toilet facility. The accommodation is finished in teak, reflecting the period’s preference for warm, enclosed cabins.
The two-cabin arrangement, supplemented by saloon berths, suggests a boat intended for a cruising couple with occasional guests rather than charter-style crowding. Fresh-water capacity is 174 US gallons, while the fuel tank holds 105 US gallons. Both support extended independent cruising without constant resupply.
Engine and Drive
The Panda 40 may be fitted with an inboard Yanmar 150 EH diesel rated at 52 horsepower. It drives a conventional shaft rather than a saildrive, a straightforward and serviceable arrangement for a boat of this class.
With the 105 US gallon fuel capacity, the installation returns a cruising speed of 6.0 knots and a top speed of 7.0 knots under power. Those figures are in keeping with the boat’s displacement and long-keel efficiency.
Verdict
The Panda 40 is a Perry-designed, Ta Shing-built long-keel cruiser with the volume, ballast, and comfort figures of a genuine offshore boat. Her cutter rig, 41 percent ballast ratio, substantial tankage, and teak-finished two-cabin interior make her a credible candidate for serious cruising. The trade-off is predictable: her heavy displacement and moderate sail plan call for patience in light air.
Pros
- Solid-fiberglass, long-keel hull with a 41 percent ballast ratio for offshore stability
- Cutter rig, with a useful sail-area gain from the 135 percent genoa
- Generous capacities of 174 US gallons of water and 105 US gallons of fuel
- Comfortable motion and favorable capsize-screening figures for a 40-foot cruiser
Cons
- Heavy displacement and a 278 displacement-to-length ratio limit liveliness in light winds
- Draft varies from 6.0 to 6.30 feet with load, restricting access to shallow anchorages
