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Taswell 49
Designer: Bill Dixon  ·  Builder: Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1989
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About the Taswell 49

Designed for serious offshore passagemaking, the Taswell 49 is a performance cruising sailboat built to cover ocean miles in comfort and confidence. Produced by Ta-Yang Yacht Building in Taiwan, the Taswell range earned a strong reputation throughout the 1980s and 1990s as a well-constructed bluewater cruiser, and the 49 sits at the capable heart of that lineup. Known for its solid build quality and thoughtful offshore layout, this is a boat that appeals to experienced sailors planning extended ocean passages rather than weekend coastal hops. The hull design prioritizes seakeeping and stability, giving crews the reassurance needed when conditions deteriorate far from port. Below decks, Taswell yachts are typically praised for their practical and livable interiors, reflecting the priorities of owners who intend to spend weeks or months aboard. For anyone researching a bluewater cruising purchase, the Taswell 49 represents a compelling option in the category of serious, capable voyaging yachts — a boat with a proven heritage and a following among long-distance sailors who value reliability and craftsmanship above all else.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 48.83 ft / 14.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 41.92 ft / 12.78 m
Beam 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Max Draft 6.75 ft / 2.06 m
Displacement 32,500.00 lb / 14,742 kg
Ballast 13,000.00 lb / 5,897 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Bill Dixon
Builder Ta Shing Yacht Building (TAIWAN)
First Built 1989
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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
102
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
40.0
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
196.96
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. 13.47 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.79
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.42 ft / 5.92 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,064.00 ft² / 98.85 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 77
Fuel Capacity 125 gals / 473 L
Water Capacity 200 gals / 757 L
How It Compares

vs. Ct 49, Orion 50, Oyster 485

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Taswell 49 ★
48.8 ft
Ct 49
49.0 ft
Orion 50
49.5 ft
Oyster 485
48.5 ft
LWL
Taswell 49 ★
41.9 ft
Ct 49
37.5 ft
Orion 50
42.5 ft
Oyster 485
37.5 ft
Beam
Taswell 49 ★
15.0 ft
Ct 49
13.2 ft
Orion 50
14.5 ft
Oyster 485
14.0 ft
Displacement
Taswell 49 ★
32 lbs
Ct 49
29 lbs
Orion 50
36 lbs
Oyster 485
37 lbs
Ballast
Taswell 49 ★
13 lbs
Ct 49
12 lbs
Orion 50
14 lbs
Oyster 485
13 lbs
Sail Area
Taswell 49 ★
Ct 49
1 sq ft
Orion 50
1 sq ft
Oyster 485
960 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Taswell 49 ★
102 s/nm
Ct 49
101 s/nm
Orion 50
110 s/nm
Oyster 485
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Taswell 49 ★
Ct 49
17.3
Orion 50
16.3
Oyster 485
13.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Taswell 49 ★
40.0 %
Ct 49
40.8 %
Orion 50
Oyster 485
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Taswell 49 ★
Ct 49
35.9
Orion 50
36.0
Oyster 485
42.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Taswell 49 ★
Ct 49
1.71
Orion 50
1.75
Oyster 485
1.68
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Taswell 49 ★
196
Ct 49
248
Orion 50
Oyster 485
Hull Speed
Taswell 49 ★
Ct 49
8.2 kts
Orion 50
8.7 kts
Oyster 485
8.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Taswell 49 ★
Ct 49
2.2
Orion 50
2.2
Oyster 485
1.4
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