Taswell 49 MS Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Taswell 49 MS is built upon a moderate-displacement hull featuring a fin keel and a substantial skeg-hung rudder, a configuration favored by long-distance cruisers for its balance of maneuverability and directional stability. With a displacement-to-length ratio that leans toward the "heavy cruiser" end of the spectrum, the 49 MS exhibits a remarkably soft motion in a seaway, resisting the jerky accelerations found in lighter, modern production hulls.

On the water, the boat is a powerful reacher. The tall, cutter-headed rig provides ample sail area to move the heavy hull in light winds, though the vessel truly finds its stride in 15 to 20 knots of breeze. Because of the higher vertical center of gravity inherent in the MS (Motorsailer) deckhouse design, the 49 MS carries a slightly heavier ballast package than the Center Cockpit version to maintain a comparable righting moment. Handling is predictable, and while the windage of the raised cabin house is noticeable when docking in a crosswind, the inclusion of a powerful bow thruster—common on most hulls—mitigates this concern.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Taswell 49 MS is where the Ta Shing shipyard truly showcased its legendary joinery. The "All Season" layout is defined by its dual-level arrangement. The raised salon houses a secondary helm station and a large C-shaped dinette, allowing the captain to navigate in a climate-controlled environment—a feature highly prized by those cruising in high latitudes or the humid tropics.

The standard layout typically features a three-cabin, two-head configuration. The master stateroom is usually situated aft, benefiting from the full beam of the boat and offering a walk-around queen-sized berth and an en-suite head. Forward, guests are accommodated in a V-berth or a lateral bunk cabin. The galley is generally located in the "passageway" leading aft, providing a secure place to cook while underway, though some semi-custom variations moved the galley forward of the main salon.

The primary sibling to the 49 MS is the Taswell 49 Center Cockpit (CC). While the CC shares the same hull and basic engineering, it lacks the interior steering station and the expansive pilothouse windows, instead offering a more traditional "sunken" salon. The build quality across both variants remains identical, utilizing solid fiberglass hulls below the waterline and balsa-cored decks.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Taswell 49 MS should focus their inspections on several high-signal areas common to Ta Shing builds of this vintage:

• Deck Salon Window Seals: The large, expansive windows of the MS version are a core feature but represent a primary leak risk. Over time, the bedding compounds can dry out, leading to moisture intrusion that can damage the expensive interior teak joinery.
• Teak Deck Attachment: Most Taswells were delivered with thick teak decks. While high-quality, many were traditionally fastened with screws. On older vessels, these screws can provide a path for water into the deck core if the bungs have worn thin or the caulking has failed.
• Stainless Steel Chainplates: Like many Taiwan-built yachts from the 1980s and 90s, the stainless steel used for chainplates should be carefully inspected for crevice corrosion, particularly where the plates pass through the deck.
• Engine Room Access: Because of the raised salon, the engine is typically located beneath the salon sole. While access is generally good through removable panels, buyers should check for signs of deferred maintenance on the primary propulsion and the generator, as these units are central to the "motorsailer" identity of the boat.

Community & Resources

Owners of Ta Shing-built vessels are supported by a dedicated community of enthusiasts. Technical documentation and historical context are often curated by the Ta Shing Yacht Building shipyard itself, which maintains a degree of support for its legacy models. While there is no single "Taswell-only" association, owners are heavily integrated into broader groups like the Baba/Panda/Tashiba owners' circles, which share technical insights regarding the specific construction techniques used at the Tainan yard.

The Verdict

The Taswell 49 MS is an exceptional choice for the "couples cruiser" who refuses to compromise on interior luxury or heavy-weather capability. It bridges the gap between a traditional sailing yacht and a comfortable trawler, making it one of the most successful pilothouse designs of its era.

Pros:

• Exquisite Ta Shing interior craftsmanship that remains a benchmark in the industry.
• True pilothouse visibility and an interior helm station for all-weather passage making.
• Robust, seaworthy hull design by Bill Dixon that handles offshore conditions with ease.
• Solid fiberglass hull construction below the waterline for long-term durability.

Cons:

• Higher windage due to the raised deckhouse can make close-quarters maneuvering challenging in a breeze.
• Maintenance of the large pilothouse windows and expansive teak decks can be costly.
• Heavier displacement means it is not a "light air" performer compared to modern fin-keel cruisers.