Designed by the iconoclastic John Hanna in 1923, the Tahiti Ketch is perhaps the most significant "shoestring" cruiser in maritime history. Originally drawn under the name Neptune for a Texas dentist, the design gained global fame when it was republished in the 1935 edition of Mechanix Illustrated (then Modern Mechanix) as the "Tahiti," a 30-foot deep-sea auxiliary cruiser. Hanna, an outspoken critic of the thin-skinned racing yachts of the era, intended for the boat to be built by amateurs in backyards during the Great Depression. The design was heavily influenced by the Greek sponge boats of Tarpon Springs and the Norwegian pilot boats of Colin Archer, resulting in a double-ended hull that prioritizes survival over speed. This "poor man’s yacht" promised—and delivered—a vessel that could take a sailor around the world with minimal investment.
Tahiti Ketch Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Tahiti
- Model
- Ketch
- Builder
- from plans
- Designer
- John G. Hanna
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1928 - ??
Below are the most recent Tahiti Ketch sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 2 | $165,326 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $190,000 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | $17,656 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 | 42.75' | $98,958 | 19 | 5 |
| Ta Chiao CT-56 | 55.5' | $388,764 | 10 | 4 |
| Herreshoff H-28 | 26.94' | $12,885 | 10 | 3 |
| Gulfstar 44 Kth | 44.67' | $49,000 | 9 | 3 |
| Formosa 41 | 40.92' | $64,425 | 9 | 1 |
| Cheoy Lee Offshore 47 | 46.75' | $124,975 | 8 | 3 |
| Hans Christian 48 | 47.83' | $259,000 | 7 | 3 |
| Ta Chiao CT-38 | $29,500 | 6 | 0 | |
| Formosa 47 | 46.42' | $100,437 | 6 | 1 |
| William Garden 41 | 40.25' | $38,500 | 5 | 1 |
| Tahiti Ketch | $139,950 | 4 | 1 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $240,751 | 1 | 0 |
| New Zealand | $17,656 | 1 | 1 |
| French Polynesia | $190,000 | 1 | 0 |
| United States | $89,900 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Tahiti Ketch cost?
- The median asking price for a used Tahiti Ketch over the past 12 months is $139,950. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Tahiti Ketch sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 4 Tahiti Ketch listings over the past 12 months, with 1 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Tahiti Ketch prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Tahiti Ketch has decreased by 87.38% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Tahiti Ketch?
- New Zealand currently has the lowest median asking price at $17,656, while Italy is the most expensive at $240,751 — a 1264% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Tahiti Ketch?
- Comparable models include the Wauquiez Amphitrite 43, Ta Chiao CT-56, Herreshoff H-28. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.