BoatsBaba 40

Baba 40

Cutter · Long Keel · 1980–1982

A 13-ton cutter with a 41.5 comfort ratio, built between 1980 and 1982 for steady, long-distance passage making

Designed by Robert H. Perry, built by TA Shing Shipyards (Taiwan).

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Long Keel

See her sail

The Baba 40, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Adventureman Dan

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 42 — a heavy, notably soft motion offshore.

Comfort ratio 42
CoastalBluewater

At 1.67 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.67
LightHeavy

315 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 315
EasygoingPowered-up

14.7 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 14.7
TenderStiff

41% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 41%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Heavier than ~86% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~88% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~82% of boats her size on file

Compared with 390 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Baba 40, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Baba 40 is a 12.1-meter cutter-rigged sailboat designed by Robert H. Perry and built by Ta Shing Shipyards in Taiwan between 1980 and 1982.0:05 It shares its design with the Panda 40 and Tashiba 40, with ketch-rigged and pilothouse versions also available. The Baba 40 displaces 13,154 kg, has a long keel, a 3.9-meter beam, and a 1.8-meter draft.0:15 Aboard *Hornblower*, a 1983 Baba 40, owners Tim and Shannon rebuilt the boat from disrepair, replacing teak handrails with stainless steel and fabricating a hard-top dodger.0:33 Their ground tackle includes an 88-pound Rocna and a 55-pound Delta anchor on 150 feet of 3/8-inch chain, managed by a Lighthouse 1502 windlass.3:00 The galley features a drop-top refrigerator with a flush cutting-board surface.9:50 Electrical systems include a Victron MultiPlus inverter-charger and MPPT charge controllers, with lithium batteries in the aft cabin.12:17 The boat is powered by a 45-hp Yanmar diesel.0:51 The Baba 40 is considered an offshore-capable sailboat, noted for robust construction suitable for long-distance passage-making.0:26

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Baba 40 on video

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.

1seen for sale
US$49,000Median asking

  • Baba 40 listed for $49,000, a good price for a boat that typically sells for around $100,000

    from Be The Captainseen April 20253:13

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
14.7
Displacement / length
315.3
Comfort ratio
41.5
Capsize screening
1.67
Hull speed
7.9 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1582
Hull
Hull type
Long Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1980–1982
Units built
115
Designer
Robert H. Perry
Builder
Ta Shing Shipyards (TAIWAN)

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Cape George 3811.58 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA 1985 cutter with a 1.58-metre draft and high comfort ratio, designed by Atkin and Lange for steady offshore work
The Next Magic Carpet Project (bonus ep)0:53from Sailing Magic Carpet
Morgan Yachts Out Island 4112.57 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA prolific long-keeled masthead sloop designed by Charles Morgan Jr. that became a staple of the global charter trade
The Real Cruising Sailboat - Morgan - Episode 115 - Lady K Sailing6:25from Lady K Sailing
Hans Christian 38T11.56 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA traditional cutter with a long keel and high comfort ratio, built between 1976 and 1989 for steady offshore cruising
the BRUTAL take down of a Hans Christian 38T - Ep 237 - Lady K Sailing0:53from Lady K Sailing
Hans Christian 4312.99 mSame hull family0.9 m longerA 12.99-metre staysail ketch with a long keel and high comfort ratio, built from 1974 to 1992 for steady offshore work
This Bluewater Legend Might Be the Wrong Boat – Hans Christian 43Tfrom Lady K Sailing
Whitby Boatworks 4212.80 mSame hull family0.7 m longerAn Edward S. Brewer-designed long-keeled ketch built for offshore comfort and stability over a long production run
Discover the Legendary Whitby 42 Sailboat – Full Tour & Review0:50from Practical Sailor
Islander Yachts Freeport 4112.50 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA long-keeled staysail ketch derived from the Islander 40MS, featuring an interior redesign by Robert Perry
Sailing Solo to Hen Rock, Catalina Island (September 2023)15:53from keeldragger

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Baba 40 Pilot HouseA pilot house cutter with a heavy displacement and high comfort ratio, designed for protected offshore watch-keepingBaba 35Originally marketed as the Flying Dutchman 35, this heavy-displacement cutter offers a stable, long-keel platformPanda 40A Robert Perry-designed cutter with a long keel and heavy displacement, sharing the classic lines of the Baba 40Baba 30A heavy-displacement cutter with a long keel, built by Shing Sheng and Ta Shing between 1976 and 1986Tashiba 40A 13-ton cutter with a high comfort ratio of 41.48, engineered for steady, long-distance passage makingPanda 34A heavy-displacement cutter with a long keel, designed by Gary Grant as a refined evolution of the BABA 35

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Baba 40, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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