Tatoosh 42 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Tatoosh 42 is characterized by its balanced helm and predictable motion in a seaway. With a displacement of approximately 24,000 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio hovering near 40%, the boat is stiff and carries its momentum well through a chop. Unlike the earlier Perry-designed "Traditional" series, the Tatoosh 42 utilizes a modified fin keel that significantly reduces wetted surface area, allowing it to perform admirably in light air where heavier cruisers might stall.

According to design notes from Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers, the hull form was optimized for a combination of volume and speed, moving away from the extreme "V" sections of the past toward a flatter, more modern run aft. This results in a boat that tracks exceptionally well on a reach but does not suffer from the "hobby-horsing" common in shorter-waterline yachts. Most Tatoosh 42s were rigged as cutters, providing a versatile sail plan that allows owners to reduce sail area easily as the wind builds without sacrificing the boat's balance.

Interior Comfort & Variations

True to the Ta Shing heritage, the interior of the Tatoosh 42 is a showcase of high-grade Burmese teak joinery and thoughtful offshore ergonomics. The layout typically features a two-stateroom, two-head configuration, though some semi-custom variations exist given Ta Shing’s flexible build process at the time. The standard arrangement includes a large V-berth or a Pullman-style berth forward, followed by a spacious salon with a U-shaped settee to port and a straight settee to starboard.

The galley is a highlight for long-term cruisers, usually positioned in a secure U-shape near the companionway to provide stability for the cook while underway. Solid teak staves, hand-rubbed finishes, and louvered locker doors are standard, contributing to a warm, "salty" atmosphere that is increasingly rare in modern production boats. The Tatoosh 42 also saw a larger sibling, the Tatoosh 51, which scaled this design philosophy up to a three-cabin blue-water platform, sharing the same performance-oriented hull characteristics and high-level interior finish.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Tatoosh 42 is frequently cited in Robert Perry's own literature as a pivotal design in his transition toward "performance cruising." In his book Yacht Design According to Perry, he discusses the Tatoosh series as a successful attempt to marry the comfort requirements of the cruising market with the hull efficiencies derived from racing developments of the era. While it did not reach the same mass-production numbers as the Valiant or Baba series, the Tatoosh 42 maintains a cult-like status among "Perry-philes" who value the design for its slightly more aggressive sailing profile.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Purchasing a Tatoosh 42 today requires a focused inspection of systems that were standard in 1980s Taiwanese construction. Prospective buyers should prioritize the following areas:

• Fuel and Water Tanks: Like many yachts of this era, the Tatoosh 42 was often fitted with black iron fuel tanks. These are prone to internal corrosion if water has sat in the fuel, and replacement often requires significant joinery work or cutting the tank into pieces.
• Deck Core: While the hull is solid fiberglass, the decks are typically balsa-cored. Check for delamination or "soft spots" around high-load deck hardware, chainplates, and stanchion bases where bedding compounds may have failed over the decades.
• Chainplates: The stainless steel chainplates are robust but should be inspected for crevice corrosion, particularly where they pass through the deck.
• Teak Deck Maintenance: Many Tatoosh 42s were delivered with thick teak side decks. If these have been poorly maintained, the numerous screw fasteners can become avenues for moisture to enter the core. Prospective buyers should look for evidence of "re-seaming" or thinning wood.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Tatoosh 42 often find technical support and historical context through the wider Ta Shing and Robert Perry communities. While there is no dedicated Tatoosh-only association, the Baba, Panda, Tashiba (BPT) Owners Group and the Robert Perry Fan Club are the primary hubs for technical wikis and historical documentation regarding these hulls. These groups provide invaluable data on original plumbing schematics and sail-plan optimizations specific to the Perry/Ta Shing collaborations.

The Verdict

The Tatoosh 42 is a connoisseur’s cruiser, offering a rare blend of aesthetic beauty, legendary Taiwanese build quality, and genuine sailing performance. It is a vessel for the sailor who refuses to compromise on interior craftsmanship but demands a boat that can outrun a storm or point efficiently to weather.

Pros:

• Exceptional Ta Shing joinery and interior fit-and-finish.
• Strong performance characteristics compared to traditional heavy-displacement cruisers.
• Highly capable blue-water offshore platform with a protected skeg-hung rudder.
• Generous storage and tankage for extended voyaging.

Cons:

• Aging iron fuel tanks can be a major "hidden" expense.
• Maintenance of extensive exterior teak can be labor-intensive.
• Relatively rare on the second-hand market, making parts-sourcing for model-specific items difficult.