Ta Chiao 42 Mermaid

[geoffpd]

I’ve been offered a TC42 Mermaid at a ridiculously small amount of $. But the catch is it’s been laid up (afloat) untouched for over 2 years in the tropical heat of SE Asia!
Teak decks.... moldy, down below....moldy, sails probably the same, engine 50hp Yanmar no idea yet. Aluminum masts... rigging, probably ok .....
Haven’t yet pulled it out to check the hull.
I’m guessing the moldy teak decks and interior is just cosmetic, but assuming the sails are scrap, the engine needs overhaul, cushions and fabric completely replaced, and obviously hauling out and new anti foul, would a restoration budget of $30k be enough?
I’m in the Philippines and hope to do most of the cosmetic and ‘easy’ things myself.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Hi Geoff.

The best advice is to have a professional yacht surveyor examine the boat for you. Hidden problems and some obvious problems such as an inoperable engine or other issues could quickly use up a large amount of money and time in necessary repairs. A professional survey is highly recommended.

You can find lots of info about the CT42 Mermaid in some previous discussion threads on CF.

Note that Ta Chiao was the builder, but the common name for the vessel is "CT42 Mermaid"

My Tip: search using "CT" instead of "TC" when searching using Google.

Note: According to the builder's brochure, this is a 'modernized' version of the CT-41 which was, in turn, based on the William Garden designed SEA WOLF. So owners of those boats may have made or make comments that help.

Here are some links I found for you:
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...aid&gsc.page=1

Some specifications on the original model:

Hull Type: Fin with rudder on skeg Rig Type: Masthead Ketch
LOA: 41.42' / 12.62m LWL: 30.25' / 9.22m
Beam: 12.16' / 3.71m Listed SA: 793 ft2 / 73.67 m2
Draft (max.) 6.00' / 1.83m Draft (min.)
Displacement: 23900 lbs./ 10841 kgs. Ballast: 9400 lbs. / 4264 kgs.
Sail Area/Disp.1: 15.35 Bal./Disp.: 39.33% Disp./Len.: 385.46
Designer: Ta Chaio
Builder: Ta Chaio Shipbuilding Co. (TAIWAN)
Construction: FG Bal. type:
First Built: 1975 Last Built: # Built:
AUXILIARY POWER (orig. equip.)
Make: Perkins Model: M-50
Type: Diesel HP: 50
TANKS
Water: 169 gals. / 640 ltrs. Fuel:

I hope that helps you. Good luck!

[geoffpd]

Originally Posted by Steadman Uhlich

Hi Geoff.

The best advice is to have a professional yacht surveyor examine the boat for you. Hidden problems and some obvious problems such as an inoperable engine or other issues could quickly use up a large amount of money and time in necessary repairs. A professional survey is highly recommended.

You can find lots of info about the CT42 Mermaid in some previous discussion threads on CF.

Note that Ta Chiao was the builder, but the common name for the vessel is "CT42 Mermaid"

My Tip: search using "CT" instead of "TC" when searching using Google.

Note: According to the builder's brochure, this is a 'modernized' version of the CT-41 which was, in turn, based on the William Garden designed SEA WOLF. So owners of those boats may have made or make comments that help.

Here are some links I found for you:
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...aid&gsc.page=1

Some specifications on the original model:

Hull Type: Fin with rudder on skegRig Type: Masthead Ketch
LOA: 41.42' / 12.62mLWL: 30.25' / 9.22m
Beam: 12.16' / 3.71mListed SA: 793 ft2 / 73.67 m2
Draft (max.) 6.00' / 1.83mDraft (min.)
Displacement: 23900 lbs./ 10841 kgs.Ballast: 9400 lbs. / 4264 kgs.
Sail Area/Disp.1: 15.35Bal./Disp.: 39.33%Disp./Len.: 385.46
Designer: Ta Chaio
Builder: Ta Chaio Shipbuilding Co. (TAIWAN)
Construction: FGBal. type:
First Built: 1975Last Built: # Built:
AUXILIARY POWER (orig. equip.)
Make: PerkinsModel: M-50
Type: DieselHP: 50
TANKS
Water: 169 gals. / 640 ltrs.Fuel:

I hope that helps you. Good luck!

Thanks so much for the rapid response.
Yes I would fully expect to have complete survey, but I was just putting my toe in the water to gauge initial responses.
Thanks for the link..... more reading to follow!

[Orion Jim]

Could be a bargain if it's been regularly updated and maintained by a knowledgeable owner. Could be a 40 year old hole in the water into which you pour tens of thousands of dollars. Only a meticulous survey will reveal which path to take at the crossroads. Good luck.

[geoffpd]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Could be a bargain if it's been regularly updated and maintained by a knowledgeable owner. Could be a 40 year old hole in the water into which you pour tens of thousands of dollars. Only a meticulous survey will reveal which path to take at the crossroads. Good luck.

I think they’re all cash swallowing holes, but it’s the nautical black holes we try to avoid:-)

[SailsWithFists]

Originally Posted by geoffpd

would a restoration budget of $30k be enough?

To what standard?

Your primary considerations are hull, deck, and rudder integrity, leaks, and standing rigging. If a survey finds all of these in satisfactory condition, that is a starting point.

If the boat needs both a replacement engine and sails, then you will use up your $30k budget. So long as at least the engine or sails are serviceable, and the remainder of any issues are only cosmetic in nature, then your $30k budget should yield a usable cruising boat.

[Cheechako]

what year is it? I ask because the earlier CT41 types had a lot of poor indonesian plywood to construct the cabin and decks. This rots readily and will be a huge job to reconstruct. A boat sitting in indonesia would only be worse at best. The later boats were molded glass, the earlier ones were ply with a thin layer of glass.
If it has teak decks, which it likely does, the deck core may be ply or later ones balsa, but either way may be heavily compromised.
Just telling you what to watch out for. If the engine and tanks are good you could easily spend 50k on the boat, unless you find used sails etc.

[sailpower]

How cheap are the yard prices where you are?

[SV Sailfish]

This is simple...

At what price can you buy the boat?
What have other similar boats sold for? (sea worthy, not fixers)
What work does the boat need? (add up the restoration costs)
What is your sailboat experience and what are your skill sets/expertise?
Can you do all the work yourself because you have the talents? Or are you a newbie with a dream and will have to pay others to do the work for you?

Take the price you can buy it for plus the cost of the work and if that is less than similar vessels in sea worthy condition then maybe you have a bargain. Or maybe you should just buy a sister ship that is ready to go.

That hole in the water where you throw money is much bigger than most people realize. Much, much bigger. We have 100's of boats in the dry storage where we are in Mexico and most of their owners are back home licking their wounds with depleted bank accounts. There is a reason for most "bargains" out in the Pacific cruising grounds.

Best of luck to you!

[Scaramanga F25]

50K$ repair and a health problem.

[stnick]

closer to 50k plus !

[zeehag]

phillipines should be a less pricey place to fix anything. especially a boat with thai cedar masts and beautiful teak wood.
these are very similar to formosa 41.
i am redoing my entire boat in mexico and it will come in under 15k usd for everything. including sprit and mast repair and replacement. should be comparable in phillipines.
awesome sailing boats designed for tradewind sailing. suck in light airs.
everything is repairable easily and reasonably IFF that is what you wish to do. so pac has access to the materials used in the boats original construction and cheaply. have fun with the refit.

[geoffpd]

So far I’ve discovered......
Bowsprit replaced 2008
Alum masts in 2005
St.Stl fuel and water tanks
Teak decks (moldy)
Sails No idea
Rigging No idea
Steering/Rudder No idea
Interior (moldy)
2.5 kVA generator working
Tender with 6hp outboard working
Yanmar 50hp (I think original boats came with Perkins engines, so this may be a replacement)

I’m working away from home so haven’t seen her yet.
But I’m an engineer, and retiring soon so I’m more than capable of doing all the cosmetic and basic engine work myself.
I’ve also stripped and reapplied anti fouling on my friend’s 36ft steel yacht 4 or 5 times.
Reasonably experienced U.K. coastal sailer (we’re used to 7m+ tidal range) and professionally trained to RYA Yachtmaster level.

I can buy her for $18-20k, but there are no yards of any description on my island. Is she’s seaworthy it’s a 2 day sail to anywhere of note.
However yard costs should be reasonable in Philippines.
I can’t find similar sized yachts for sale in my region so it’s difficult to judge prices to see if it’s a viable project.
20k if it had new local supplied sails and ready to cruise.....doable
30k and definitely twitchy
Any more..... I’m walking!

[zeehag]

if you can get her for 15000 or 20000 usd you are golden.
engine no workee, 15000 usd .
start at 15000 usd on chance engine no workee

[geoffpd]

Originally Posted by zeehag

if you can get her for 15000 or 20000 usd you are golden.
engine no workee, 15000 usd .
start at 15000 usd on chance engine no workee

Thanks for your input