Hull Design and Construction
Perry drew the CT-56 as a natural evolution of his earlier CT-54, which itself carried the influence of Bill Garden's classic pirate-ship aesthetic — a lineage that shows in the CT-56's full keel, pronounced sheer, and purposeful mass. The hull is solid fiberglass throughout, a construction choice that demands little maintenance during active sailing seasons but contributes substantially to the displacement figure. That long keel is the defining structural feature: it delivers superior directional stability at sea, making the boat exceptionally predictable on long ocean passages. The trade-off is well understood — that same directional tenacity makes close-quarters maneuvering in tight harbors a deliberate exercise. With a draft running between 6.4 and 6.7 feet depending on load, the CT-56 is a boat suited to major anchorages and deep-water marinas rather than shoal cruising grounds.
The displacement-to-length ratio of roughly 313 places the CT-56 firmly in the heavy cruiser category, a classification that comes with real-world consequences: gentler motion in a seaway, lower acceleration in light air, and a momentum that rewards passage-making over day sailing. Her immersion rate — nearly 2,400 pounds per inch of sinkage — reflects the mass of her scantlings and the robustness Perry and Ta Chiao built into the structure.
Rig and Sail Plan
The ketch rig is the right choice for a boat of this size and purpose. Two masts divide the sail area into manageable panels for short-handed sailing, allowing the crew to drop the mizzen entirely for repairs or reefing without losing steerage way. The sail configuration particularly rewards downwind passages and broad-reach sailing, where the mizzen can be sheeted independently to balance helm load. Perry specified a main with a 59-foot luff and a 19-foot foot — a conservative aspect ratio that keeps the center of effort low. The working jib carries a luff of nearly 55 feet with a 115-percent LP, giving useful power in moderate conditions without overwhelming a small crew.
The SA/D ratio of 16 sits at the high end of the cruising-boat range, just touching cruiser-racer territory, which suggests the CT-56 will move respectably in moderate winds despite her weight. In lighter airs the ketch configuration invites the use of an asymmetrical spinnaker — the boat's standard asymmetric carries nearly 1,800 square feet of area — to keep passage times respectable. Storm-sail provisions include a dedicated storm jib sized at roughly 60 percent LP, sensible geometry for a vessel meant to be taken far offshore.
Interior Accommodations
Below decks, the CT-56 reflects the Taiwanese boatbuilding tradition at its best: spacious teak joinery throughout, a layout designed around the reality of couples or small families living aboard for extended periods. The standard arrangement provides three to four cabins and six to eight berths, with headroom described as above average for the category. Fresh water capacity runs to 946 liters, and the waste holding tank carries a full thousand liters — provisions that support extended passaging without marina dependency. The fuel tankage is exceptional: 1,500 liters of diesel capacity in a steel tank, enough to motor through extended calms or provide meaningful range under power without reprovisioning.
The teak interior, while demanding periodic oiling, is naturally water-repellent and durable in a marine environment in ways that synthetic materials rarely match. Perry's interior arrangements on the CT series prioritized comfort on passage — sea berths accessible without crossing the saloon, a galley positioned for use in a seaway, and storage appropriate for blue-water provisions.
Propulsion and Performance Under Power
The CT-56 was typically fitted with a Perkins M135 or Ford Lehman diesel at 135 horsepower. At that power-to-displacement ratio the theoretical hull speed of 8.9 knots is within reach under ideal conditions, though a more realistic passage average under power sits closer to the calculated maximum of 7.3 knots. For a vessel displacing over 61,000 pounds, that figure is respectable and sufficient for port entry, adverse-current passages, and extended motoring through doldrums. The steel fuel tank's 1,500-liter capacity transforms the engine from a convenience into a genuine offshore asset.
Known Considerations
The capsize screening value of 1.57 indicates the CT-56 meets the threshold for ocean-racing acceptance under that formula, which is reassuring but should be understood in context: the formula rewards heavy displacement and penalizes beam, and the CT-56's conservative beam (L/B ratio of 3.58, near the fleet median) reflects Perry's preference for a hull that tracks well rather than one that prioritizes interior volume. The ballast ratio of 30 percent is adequate for stability but not exceptional, meaning the boat's seakeeping advantage comes primarily from her mass and hull form rather than from an unusually high righting moment.
Prospective owners should note that solid fiberglass construction of the CT-56's vintage means any osmotic blistering, if present, is contained in the outer laminate and is treatable — but due diligence with a moisture meter is essential before purchase. The full-keel configuration simplifies haulout and bottom work, and the wet bottom area of approximately 731 square feet is the relevant figure for antifouling paint planning.
The Verdict
The Ta Chiao CT-56 is a purpose-built bluewater cruising ketch for sailors who have thought carefully about what ocean passages actually demand — and who have concluded that heavy displacement, a long keel, a divided rig, and generous tankage matter more than speed or marina appeal. Robert Perry's design brief was realized by a Taiwanese yard with genuine craft skills, and the result is a boat that has proven itself on circumnavigations and transoceanic passages. She is not for everyone: the displacement penalizes light-air performance, the draft limits shallow-water access, and the long keel demands patience in harbors. For the right crew and the right mission, she is exceptional.
Pros
- Robust solid fiberglass construction with minimal in-season maintenance demands
- Full keel delivers outstanding directional stability on passage
- Ketch rig enables short-handed sail management and flexible downwind configurations
- Exceptional fuel and water capacity for extended offshore independence
- Spacious teak interior with above-average headroom for the era
- Proven on blue-water circumnavigations and offshore passages
- Heavy displacement produces comfortable, predictable motion in a seaway
Cons
- Long keel makes close-quarters maneuvering in tight harbors demanding
- Draft of 6.4–6.7 feet excludes shoal anchorages and many smaller marinas
- Heavy displacement limits light-air performance and acceleration
- Teak interior requires ongoing maintenance to preserve condition
- Small production run limits parts community and shared knowledge base
- Ballast ratio, while adequate, is not exceptional relative to comparable designs
