Taswell 49 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common configuration encountered on the used market, making the Taswell 49 a capable choice for extended cruising couples who also want to host crew or family. Both layouts do appear, however, so buyers with a preference for a two-cabin arrangement should not rule it out. Accommodation is typically full-headroom throughout, with a saloon designed around offshore passage comfort rather than marina entertaining.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Teak decks and AIS are commonly fitted across the fleet — the teak being largely original to the build era, and AIS reflecting the near-universal retrofit that ocean voyagers have carried out. Furling mains and bow thrusters appear often, the former a concession to short-handed sailing and the latter a practical addition for tight marina handling at this displacement.

Beyond the baseline, the used market shows a wide range of owner-fitted cruising infrastructure. Watermakers, air conditioning, and inverters are a frequent owner upgrade on boats that have spent time in tropical waters or done extended ocean passages. Electric winches turn up on a meaningful share of the fleet — the rig dimensions on a 49-footer put considerable load on the sheets and halyards, and owners have frequently addressed this over the years. Biminis and dodgers protect offshore watch-keepers and are common on boats that have been actively cruised. Dinghy davits and swim platforms reflect an equally common pattern of owners equipping the boat for extended anchoring life rather than marina-based sailing. Chartplotters, EPIRBs, and washing machines round out the picture of a fleet that has generally been taken seriously as bluewater expedition platforms.

What to Inspect

The fibreglass construction is a relative strength — Ta Shing's build quality was consistently high, and the hulls are known for solid laminate schedules. That said, teak deck condition deserves close attention on any boat of this vintage. Original teak over a fibreglass deck presents osmotic risk where the fasteners and caulk have aged, and re-decking is a significant cost if the underlying laminate has been compromised.

The cutter rig means two forestays, associated chainplates, and additional running rigging to inspect. On a boat of this vintage, chainplate inspection is non-negotiable — these are stress points where corrosion can remain hidden under deck fittings until failure. Chainplate access and inspection on offshore cruisers of this era is a well-documented survey priority and no less relevant here. Running rigging and sail condition should be assessed against the age and offshore miles; replacement costs on a boat this size are substantial. Standing rigging on older Ta Shing-built boats should be checked carefully at the swage terminals and spreader tips.

The Yanmar diesel is a well-supported engine with good parts availability, but engine hours and service records matter enormously on a bluewater boat. Shaft seal condition, cutlass bearing wear, and the state of the raw-water cooling system are worth professional attention. Bow thruster installation quality varies — inspect the wiring, the thruster tunnel for any delamination, and the control system for corrosion. On boats fitted with air conditioning and watermakers, inspect all through-hulls and seacocks associated with these systems; salt-water service over many years takes a toll on fittings that may not have been serviced regularly.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Taswell 49 fleet is concentrated primarily in the United States, the Caribbean — particularly the British and US Virgin Islands and around Antigua and Trinidad and Tobago — and Australia. These are precisely the regions where serious offshore cruisers congregate, and the pattern reflects boats that have been actively used rather than kept at a home dock. The fleet is modest in overall size, which means patience is required; waiting for the right example is more productive than settling for a poorly-maintained boat. Survey with a qualified marine surveyor who has experience with offshore cruising boats of this era.

Checklist before making an offer:

• Teak deck condition and integrity of the underlying fibreglass laminate
• Chainplate removal and inspection for corrosion
• Full standing and running rigging assessment, age-dated if possible
• Yanmar engine hours, service records, and raw-water system condition
• All through-hulls and seacocks, including those serving cruising systems
• Bow thruster tunnel laminate and electrical installation
• Watermaker, air conditioning, and inverter condition if fitted
• Dinghy davit and swim platform structural attachment points
• Chart table and navigation electronics against a modern offshore inventory
• EPIRB registration and hydrostatic release expiry date