Formosa 41
Videos
About the Formosa 41
Designed by renowned naval architect William Garden and built by Taiwan's Ta Chiao yard starting in 1972, this masthead ketch represents classic blue-water cruising from the golden age of fiberglass sailboat construction. Garden's design philosophy emphasized seaworthiness over speed, creating a vessel that has earned respect among serious cruisers for its ocean-crossing capabilities. The long keel configuration provides exceptional directional stability and helps the boat track straight in heavy weather, though it sacrifices some maneuverability in tight quarters. With a substantial displacement of 28,000 pounds and generous ballast ratio, this design prioritizes safety and comfort over performance, reflected in its impressive comfort ratio of 44.75. The capsize screening formula of 1.61 indicates good stability characteristics suitable for offshore passage making. The ketch rig offers excellent sail handling options, allowing crews to reduce sail area incrementally in deteriorating conditions while maintaining balance. Garden's hull lines favor seakindliness over speed, with a conservative sail area to displacement ratio that ensures manageable sailing in various conditions. This design appeals to cruisers seeking a proven offshore platform rather than racing performance, with many examples having completed extensive voyages including circumnavigations.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
40.92 ft / 12.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam
12.17 ft / 3.71 m
Max Draft
6.16 ft / 1.88 m
Displacement
28,000.00 lb / 12,701 kg
Ballast
9,200.00 lb / 4,173 kg
Ballast Type
Iron
Sail Area (Reported)
780.00 ft² / 72.46 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Long Keel
Rigging Type
Masthead Ketch
Construction
FG
Designer
William Garden
Builder
Formosa Boat Yard Ta Chiao
First Built
1972
Related Sailboats
Ct 41 · Sea Tiger 41 · Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee · Dickerson 41 · Gulfstar 41 Kth
Owner Reviews
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
Known Issues & What to Watch For
Taiwanese-built Formosa hulls of this era commonly used a wet lay-up process with inconsistent resin-to-glass ratios, resulting in areas of resin-rich laminate that are prone to delamination, particularly in the topsides and deck areas. Core samples or moisture meter readings across the entire deck surface are essential.
1972–1980 models
Teak-planked decks over fiberglass substrate were common on this model. The teak is typically fastened with hundreds of small screws through the FG deck, and when the teak seams open or the wood shrinks, water intrudes through fastener holes leading to widespread deck core saturation and delamination of the underlying fiberglass.
The chainplate attachment areas are known to allow water intrusion where chainplates pass through the deck. The original bedding compound deteriorates and is rarely resealed, leading to rot in the wooden backing blocks beneath the deck and potential compromise of shroud load transfer.
Bulkhead-to-hull tabbing on Ta Chiao-built boats of this period was often done with minimal glass cloth and inconsistent adhesion. Bulkheads may have pulled away from the hull, especially in the forward cabin area, reducing structural integrity and requiring re-tabbing.
The long keel is encapsulated but the keel-to-hull joint can develop weeping cracks, particularly at the garboard seam. These are sometimes faired over cosmetically without addressing underlying movement. Probe this joint carefully for softness or flex.
Interior joinery was built from teak and Philippine mahogany with minimal sealing of end grain. Decades of bilge moisture and condensation have typically caused significant rot in sole boards, cabin sole framing, and lower portions of interior cabinetry.
Holding tank and plumbing systems were either absent or rudimentary in original construction and may have been added or modified by multiple owners over the years, often with non-standard fittings and hose runs that are difficult to trace and prone to odor and leakage.
Original wiring was typically undersized and lacks proper overcurrent protection by modern ABYC standards. Multiple owner modifications over 40+ years often result in a layered, non-documented wiring system with mixed wire gauges, improper connectors, and significant fire risk.
Engine beds on these boats are wooden and glassed in place. They frequently show rot and delamination from bilge water exposure, causing the engine to shift alignment over time. Inspect engine bed integrity closely, as re-bedding is a major undertaking.
Chainplates are typically mild steel or bronze and are glassed or bolted into wooden backing structures inside the hull. Internal corrosion and wood rot in the backing structure is common and often invisible without opening the interior liner or cabinetry.
The original bronze or galvanized standing rigging hardware from the 1970s is almost certainly at end of life. Stem fittings and tang attachments at the mast show cracking and fatigue that is difficult to detect visually, particularly on boats that have not had recent rigging surveys.
unrestored examples
Own or have surveyed a Formosa 41? Submit a known issue
Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
221
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
13.59
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
32.86
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
381.47
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
44.75
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.61
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
7.58 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
0.91
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
1,391.51 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
11.81
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
49.00 ft / 14.94 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
14.50 ft / 4.42 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
43.00 ft / 13.11 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
15.00 ft / 4.57 m
SA Fore
355.25 ft² / 33.00 m²
SA Main
322.50 ft² / 29.96 m²
SA Total (100%)
677.75 ft² / 62.97 m²
Est. Forestay Length
51.10 ft / 15.58 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Perkins
Engine Type
Diesel
Horsepower
45
Fuel Capacity
60 gals / 227 L
Water Capacity
120 gals / 454 L
How It Compares
vs. Ct 41, Dickerson 41, Gulfstar 41 Kth, Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee, Sea Tiger 41
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
LWL
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Beam
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Displacement
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Ballast
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Sail Area
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Hull Speed
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Formosa 41 ★
Ct 41
Dickerson 41
Gulfstar 41 Kth
Offshore 41 Cheoy Lee
Sea Tiger 41