Design and Construction
The Tanton 45 measures 44'10" on deck (LOD) and 50'0" overall, including the sprit. She displaces a relatively light 25,920 pounds, with 9,200 pounds of ballast.
She is a double-ender with a voluminous, radiused stern and an abrupt spoon bow, augmented by a sprit for headsail work. The full, powerful stern carries considerable volume above the waterline for static buoyancy in following seas, while the bow has sharp sections at the waterline, flaring to strong deck lines.
The keel is a longish, low-aspect NACA foil, while a formidable skeg protects the rudder aft. The cast-iron ballast is encapsulated, eliminating the need for keel bolts.
The hull and deck specify end-grain balsa core with Nytex E-glass and isophthalic polyester resins, chosen for resistance to osmosis. Deck hardware is mounted over marine plywood rather than balsa. In the hull, balsa is confined to the topsides between the rub rail and waterline; an Airex-cored grid of stringers and frames reinforces the underbody.
Tanton’s drawings are meticulously detailed and fully approved by the American Bureau of Shipping as complying with its offshore racing yacht guide. Owners describe the finished boats as built like a tank, despite being fast and fairly light.
Rig and Handling
The heart of the Tanton 45 is her towering, unstayed cat-ketch rig. The mainmast stands just shy of Station 0 and rises about 55 feet above the waterline. The mizzen is virtually amidships and nearly as tall.
Compared with an equivalent stayed aluminum rig, the freestanding carbon rig saves roughly two-thirds of the weight. Without conventional standing rigging, the decks also remain clear and easy to move around. Full-battened sails with generous roach can be carried on wishbone booms—the designer’s preference, because they need no vanging—or on traditional booms. A 1,054-square-foot mizzen staysail sets between the spars.
Owners report that the wishbone acts as a shock absorber during gybes. They say this allows them to bear away all standing in 30 to 40 knots “like butter.” Tacking or gybing is simply a matter of turning the wheel. The boat is also so well balanced that she will steer herself upwind for miles with only the wheel brake set.
Despite her modest five-foot draft, she can sail upwind alongside full race boats. One owner recorded a top speed of 18.6 knots while surfing down a large wave.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The large, secure cockpit is nestled into the aft deck and has a convertible table with seating for eight to ten.
The offset main hatch to port leads to a navigator’s niche at the foot of the companionway. A quarter-berth lies alongside, followed by a wet locker and the galley. The centrally located engine is accessible from all sides through convertible cabinetry.
To starboard, the owner’s double cabin connects to a head and stand-up shower. In the saloon, there is a U-shaped settee to port, a drop-leaf dinette, and armchairs to starboard, with a pilot berth tucked behind them. A second head with shower serves the forward cabin and its forepeak double.
Known Issues and Variations
One hull broke loose during a hurricane, surged through Ipswich harbor, and sank four other boats while suffering minimal damage herself. One hull broke loose during a hurricane, surged through Ipswich harbor, and sank four other boats while suffering minimal damage herself.
Teak decks were a factory option rather than standard equipment. Because each boat was semi-custom, cosmetics and specifications vary, and an individual example may need cosmetic attention.
The Verdict
The Tanton 45 is a rare, purpose-driven passagemaker. Her unstayed cat-ketch rig offers extraordinary ease of handling without sacrificing upwind ability or composure in rough water. With only five hulls built, every example is a semi-custom artifact. Even so, the detailed construction and ABS-approved drawings provide a serious foundation for voyaging.
Pros
- Tacking and gybing require only turning the wheel, with enough upwind balance for the boat to steer herself with the wheel brake set
- Clear decks, an unstayed rig, and lightweight carbon spars suit short-handed sailing
- Encapsulated ballast eliminates keel-bolt maintenance
- Thoughtful interior, with access to all sides of the central engine and two heads
Cons
- Only five were built, so finding and learning the particulars of an individual boat is a niche pursuit
- Teak decks, cosmetics, and specifications vary among the semi-custom boats
