Tanton 43 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a Tanton 43 means considering a Ta Chiao cruiser designed by Yves-Marie Tanton and built from 1980, a cat-ketch with freestanding masts that still draws attention in any anchorage. Ex-charter examples are common, and the owner three-cabin layout is the more frequent find on the brokerage market, though both versions appear. Her lead-ballasted fin-keel hull and balsa-cored topsides make for a distinctive ownership proposition that rewards a careful survey before purchase.
Layouts on the Used Market
The owner three-cabin arrangement leads the available boats, with a forward V-berth cabin, a portside aft cabin accessing the head and companionway, and a saloon seating eight around an L-shaped dinette. Ex-charter boats are a common source and so show expected wear in the teak-and-mahogany interior and galley. The large cockpit with built-in table extends living space outside, and the head with full shower to port serves both cabins without crowding the layout.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Cruisers in this fleet commonly carry self-sufficient power and navigation suites. Watermakers, solar, wind generators, lithium batteries, and inverters are commonly fitted, letting a buyer stay off-grid for long stretches without immediate rework. AIS and chartplotter are likewise common, while a short-handed setup points to the easy-to-manage cat-ketch rig. For comfort, teak decks, bimini, hot water, and a cockpit shower are commonly found, reducing the to-do list for liveaboard use.
What to Inspect
The balsa-cored deck laid with teak and the balsa-cored topsides above the waterline are the primary survey focus, since any moisture intrusion into the core is a serious defect balsa-cored above the waterline. Below the waterline the solid fiberglass hull avoids that risk, but the teak-over-sandwich deck needs sounding and moisture metering. Confirm that all lockers and floorboards still have functioning locks to prevent opening in a knockdown, and check the 70-horsepower Yanmar below the centerline galley counter for service history, though its removable panels on all sides give excellent access removable panels on all sides provide for excellent access. Note the prop's far-forward position relative to the rudder, which owners report makes low-speed handling sluggish and worth testing at close quarters.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the Tanton 43 are Guatemala, Greece, and the United States. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: verify deck-core dryness, confirm engine access and history, test low-speed steering, and assess interior wear on ex-charter boats. A sound example offers rare rig simplicity and genuine offshore accommodations.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Tanton 43. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25 | 1 | $75,900 | — |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $15,000 | -80.2% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $45,760 | +205.1% |
Where they're listed
Tanton 43 listings appear across 3 countries. Guatemala has the most listings with 2 (50.0%), followed by Greece and United States.
Country view
4 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | $15,000 | 2 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Greece | $45,760 | 1 | 1 | 25.0% |
| United States | $75,900 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
10 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 43 | 43.34' | $ 110,707 | 63 | 7 |
| X-Yachts X-43 | 42.42' | $ 264,582 | 42 | 18 |
| Saga 43 | 43.25' | $ 162,500 | 37 | 5 |
| Nauticat 43 | 42.67' | $ 145,000 | 23 | 2 |
| Swan 43 | 42.78' | $ 92,857 | 15 | 2 |
| Contest Yachts 43 | 42.65' | $ 186,454 | 13 | 5 |
| Baltic 43 | 43.34' | $ 145,667 | 9 | 0 |
| Shannon 43 | 43.83' | $ 177,000 | 8 | 1 |
| Catalina Morgan 43 | 43' | $ 55,000 | 5 | 3 |
| Tanton 43You are here | — | $ 30,380 | 4 | 1 |