Panda 40 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

True to Robert Perry’s design philosophy for offshore voyaging, the Panda 40 is a heavy-displacement cutter designed for momentum and sea-kindliness rather than raw speed in light air. With a displacement-to-length (D/L) ratio typically exceeding 300, the hull is designed to "shoulder aside" a seaway, providing a dry and stable ride in heavy weather. Owners frequently report that the boat tracks exceptionally well, a trait attributed to its long fin keel and large skeg-hung rudder, which provide the directional stability of a full-keel boat while offering slightly better responsiveness when maneuvering in tight quarters.

In his own retrospective reviews, Robert Perry has noted that the Panda 40 hull is virtually identical to the Baba 40, characterized by its traditional "canoe stern" and deep-V sections forward to prevent pounding. The cutter rig allows for a versatile sail plan; in freshening conditions, the boat performs optimally under a stayed staysail and a reefed main, keeping the center of effort low and balanced. While its performance in under 10 knots of wind is modest due to the high wetted surface area, once the breeze reaches 15 knots, the Panda 40 finds its stride, delivering a predictable and comfortable motion that reduces crew fatigue on long passages.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Panda 40 is a showcase of Ta Shing’s legendary woodworking capabilities. The cabin is typically finished in solid teak with hand-rubbed oil or varnish, featuring the builder's signature stave-style bulkheads and intricate louvered locker doors. Most layouts feature a large V-berth forward, followed by a head with a separate stall shower—a luxury for a 40-foot boat of this vintage. The main salon utilizes the boat’s 12' 8" beam to provide a spacious u-shaped dinette and a long settee opposite.

The Panda 40 was built on the same hull as the Baba 40, but the two models differ primarily in their deck molds and interior arrangements. The Panda often features a slightly more modern deck house profile compared to the more "salty" and traditional look of the Baba. Later, the design evolved into the Tashiba 40, which Ta Shing marketed as their own brand. The Tashiba 40 often utilized the same hull lines but introduced more contemporary interior options and occasionally different ballast configurations. Regardless of the specific variant, the Panda 40 provides exceptional headroom (typically around 6' 4") and a level of storage capacity specifically designed for liveaboard voyaging.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach a Panda 40 with the standard scrutiny required for high-quality Taiwanese vessels of the 1980s. While the hulls are generally overbuilt, specific systems and materials require evaluation:

• Teak Decks: Most Panda 40s were delivered with thick teak decks bedded in calcium carbonate and fastened with thousands of screws. Over decades, these screws can allow water to penetrate the sub-deck. While Ta Shing used high-quality core materials, any soft spots or evidence of "weeping" from the interior overhead indicate a costly deck replacement or re-coring project.
• Black Iron Fuel Tanks: A common "gotcha" for Taiwan-built boats of this era is the use of black iron for fuel tanks. These tanks are prone to corrosion from the outside in, especially if they have been sitting in bilge water or under leaking deck fills. Replacement often requires significant surgery to the cabin sole or engine room bulkheads.
• Chainplates: The stainless steel chainplates are robust but are typically glassed into the hull or bolted through heavily reinforced areas. Buyers should inspect the visible portions for "bleeding" or crevice corrosion, as original chainplates are now well past their recommended service life.
• Mast Step: Check for compression or corrosion at the base of the deck-stepped mast. While the support structures are generally massive, long-term freshwater leaks can occasionally degrade the wood blocks or metal plates used to distribute the load.

Community & Resources

The Panda 40 benefits from a dedicated and highly technical community of owners who often share resources across the Baba, Panda, and Tashiba model lines. The most prominent resource is the Baba-Panda-Tashiba (BPT) Owners Association, which maintains an extensive technical archive including original blueprints, plumbing schematics, and owner-led modification guides. This community is instrumental for new owners attempting to source specific parts or navigate the complexities of Ta Shing's original wiring and plumbing systems.

The Verdict

The Panda 40 is a purpose-built offshore tool that trades modern light-air performance for ultimate security and comfort at sea. It remains a premier choice for solo sailors or couples looking to cross oceans in a vessel that feels significantly larger and more stable than its 40-foot designation suggests.

Pros:

• Exquisite Ta Shing joinery and interior craftsmanship.
• Superb heavy-weather tracking and sea-kindliness.
• True bluewater construction with a proven circumnavigation pedigree.
• High resale value due to the Robert Perry design and Ta Shing reputation.

Cons:

• High maintenance requirements for extensive exterior teak.
• Sluggish performance in light winds (under 10 knots).
• Propensity for "Taiwanese boat" issues like aging iron tanks and leaking deck fasteners.
• Heavier steering loads compared to modern fin-keel/spade-rudder designs.