Sailing Performance & Handling
The RH-43 is defined by the design signature of Robert Harris, who is perhaps best known for the Vancouver series of rugged cruisers. Unlike the full-keel "wineglass" sections found on many Ta Chiao CT models, the RH-43 typically features a modified long-fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder. This configuration significantly reduces wetted surface area, allowing the boat to perform better in light air than its aesthetic counterparts, while the skeg provides the necessary protection for the steering gear during offshore passages.
With a high displacement-to-length ratio, the RH-43 is not a "lively" boat in the modern sense; it does not accelerate rapidly in puffs. Instead, it offers a predictable, "train-on-tracks" feel. Technical insights from Robert Harris designs of this era suggest a focus on high initial stability and a gentle motion in a seaway, preventing the snapping roll often associated with flatter-bottomed coastal cruisers. The boat is most commonly found in a cutter or ketch configuration, allowing for a versatile sail plan that can be easily reefed or balanced to maintain a neutral helm in heavy weather.
Interior Comfort & Variations
True to the Ta Chiao legacy, the interior of the RH-43 is a masterclass in teak joinery. While the exterior lines are more modern than the CT-41, the living spaces remain traditional, featuring deep grains, solid wood cabinet doors, and a level of hand-finishing rarely seen in contemporary production boats. The layout was frequently customized, but most RH-43s feature a two-cabin, two-head arrangement with a dedicated navigation station and a secure, U-shaped galley designed for use at sea.
The RH-43 was built on a hull platform that saw several iterations. Its siblings, the RH-36 and the larger RH-53, followed the same design language of "modern-traditional" styling. Inside the 43, the headroom is generous, often exceeding 6'4" in the main saloon, a benefit of the relatively high freeboard. Because these boats were often built to order, some variations include a Pullman-style forward berth versus a traditional V-berth, and differences in the size of the aft cabin depending on whether the boat was rigged as a center or aft cockpit.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers of a Ta Chiao RH-43 must navigate the typical "Taiwanese Turkey" issues prevalent in yachts built during this era. While the hulls are generally over-built and robust, the peripheral systems and deck construction require close scrutiny.
- Teak Deck Integrity: Like many vessels of its vintage, the RH-43 often came with thick teak decks fastened through the fiberglass sub-deck. Over decades, the bedding compound fails, and the hundreds of screw holes can allow water to migrate into the core. A thorough moisture meter test and percussion sounding are mandatory.
- Fuel and Water Tanks: Ta Chiao frequently utilized mild steel for fuel tanks and stainless steel for water tanks, often "glassed" into the structure or placed in areas with limited access. Corrosion from the bottom up is common, and replacement often requires significant joinery removal.
- Stainless Steel Quality: The quality of Taiwanese stainless steel in the late 70s and early 80s was inconsistent. "Crevice corrosion" is a known risk in chainplates and standing rigging terminals. Inspectors should look for "bleeding" or fine cracks, particularly where the metal passes through the deck.
- Chainplate Anchors: The points where the stays attach to the hull are critical stress areas. In some RH models, these are hidden behind beautiful teak cabinetry, making inspection difficult but necessary to ensure the structural grid remains sound.
Community & Resources
The primary hub for owners is the Ta Chiao / CT Owners Association, which serves as a technical repository for various models built by the yard. While the RH-43 is rarer than the ubiquitous CT-41, it shares many structural components and hardware suppliers with the rest of the Ta Chiao fleet. Owners often congregate on platforms like CruisersForum to share specific refit diagrams for the Robert Harris-designed variants.
The Verdict
The Ta Chiao RH-43 is a thinking sailor’s bluewater yacht, offering a more refined hull shape than the traditional "pirate ships" of the era without sacrificing the warmth and craftsmanship of a classic wooden interior. It is a vessel built for the long haul, provided the owner is willing to maintain its complex systems.
Pros:
- Exceptional Joinery: Some of the finest teak interior work ever produced in a production environment.
- Sea-Kindly Hull: A Robert Harris design that prioritizes comfort and tracking over raw speed.
- Robust Construction: Heavy fiberglass scantlings capable of withstanding significant offshore stress.
Cons:
- Maintenance Intensive: Teak decks and extensive exterior brightwork require constant attention.
- Access Issues: Critical components like tanks and chainplates are often difficult to reach behind solid cabinetry.
- Weight: High displacement makes the vessel sluggish in light winds without specialized reaching sails.
