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- Sailboat Reviews
Fifteen years after the last Baba was built in Taiwan, the sailboat's traditional styling, large interior and heavy weather performance make it a favorite of cruising couples. Its principal liability is poor light air performance.
The Baba line of boats was conceived in the mid-1970’s by Bob Berg, a Seattle yacht broker who with two business associates formed Flying Dutchman International Ltd. to import traditionally styled cruising boats from Taiwan.
Bob Perry was commissioned to design the boats, which Berg envisioned as a smaller version of the Tayana 37, one of Perry’s most popular designs. Though it is a full-keeled boat, the Tayana 37 has a greater turn of speed than most traditional yachts.
“Our objective was to produce a boat that was faster and less expensive than the Westsail 32 and the Valiant 32,” Berg said. He personally designed the boat’s interior for longdistance cruising. Two versions were offered: a V-berth model, which was popular on the West Coast, and the double berth model that was popular in the East.
Berg chose a propitious time to enter the market. Production began during the heyday of the sailboat industry in 1978 and continued until 1985. More than 230 Baba 30’s were produced. During the later stages of its history, the company produced two stretch versions of the boat-theBaba 35, of which more than 50 were built, and the Baba 40, with more than 150 built. The design of the Baba 40 was reworked twice, first as the Panda 40, and later as the Tashiba 40.
The boats were built in Taiwan for three reasons, Berg said. “Ta Shing boatbuilders were among the best in the world, and the best in Taiwan. Labor was inexpensive. And we enjoyed a favorable exchange rate.”
Ta Shing also built or builds the Mason, Panda, Tashiba and Taswell yachts.
The Baba 30 was introduced with a sticker price of $38,500 in 1977. A subsequent change in the value of the dollar resulted in a price jump to $49,500. That was followed by a 40% devaluation of the Taiwanese dollar and another increase in price.
Two other factors influenced pricing: The builder switched from Volvo engines, installed on early models, to Yanmar, and spruce spars were replaced by aluminum. The last boats sold were priced at $78,000.
In addition to pricing issues, the demise of Flying Dutchman International was accelerated by two other factors: a general slump in the purchase of new boats, and a shift in buyer sentiment. During the mid-1980’s, purchasing patterns shifted to a preference for lighter, faster, sleeker-looking designs.
The Baba 30 continues to have one of the highest resale values in the marketplace. Twenty-year-old boats sell for $55,000 to $60,000; newer models for $60,000 to $65,000. Because Flying Dutchman had dealers on both coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes and Canada, it is possible to find used boats in most areas.
Perry’s design reflects a self-described disdain for the belief that “if it’s a traditional design it will be slow.” His objective was to take a relatively heavy, traditional double-ender and work with the hull lines to “ring every tenth of a knot in speed out of the design that I can.”
He gave the boat an easily driven hull with a prismatic coefficient of .50, “which should take care of performance in light air,” he said. The hull has considerable flair to the topsides, which enhances stability and provides a dry ride when sailing to weather.
He also flattened the bottom more than a typical Colin Archer design in an attempt to avoid hobby horsing and enhance performance. The boat has a full keel with a cutaway forefoot, so it tracks well. One owner, however, described backing up under power as “an adventure,” a typical characteristic of full-keeled boats.
Owners give the boat high marks for its sea kindly motion in all types of sea conditions. They generally agree that it suffers in light air.
Perry was equally attentive to the needs of cruisers in the design of spaces belowdecks. That concern, coupled with a pinched stern, produces a rather smallish cockpit. Its seats are 60″ long and 20″ wide, so realistically has comfortable seating for four adults. The footwell is 44″ long and 28″ wide, but useful space is diminished by the introduction of a steering pedestal. The cockpit is not large enough for sleeping comfortably, but its small size is a safety feature in the event of boarding waves. Also, there are two 2″ scuppers.
The flip side of the minimalist approach to the cockpit is an increase in space belowdecks.
“Anything shorter than 30′ is too small for a long-distance cruiser, unless you are willing to make serious compromises. At 30′, the designer still can create a workable galley, at least four full length berths, and an enclosed head,” Perry said.
The boat has 6′ 4″ headroom and a lot of stowage, even when compared to more recent 32- to 34-footers, but the price of stowage areas is a dramatic increase in displacement. The boat displaces 12,000 lb. on a 24′ 6″ waterline. Perry said that at the time he designed the Baba 30, the average 30- footer displaced about 7 ,000 lb.
“But,” he added, “you will find that the light yacht is short on stowage space, which is fine for short weekend trips and day sailing. I chose a rather beamy double-ender with a healthy displacement-to-length ratio(D/L) of 3 79, which afforded the interior volume to do a comfortable layout.”
The Baba 30 has a tall cutter rig. The sail area-to-displacement ratio (SAID) is 14.97. “While this may be viewed as a rather low figure,” he said, “it is my contention that at this size the use of a 150% genoa is not prohibitive. My aim was to design a rig compatible with the hull I had designed in terms of deriving maximum performance.”
During our test sail, we discovered that a large genoa or light air drifter contributes significantly to downwind speed in winds under 10 knots. Above 15 knots, the boat can be sailed at hull speed with a jib and staysail.
One owner told us that the boat is easily driven to weather, and will point to within 35 of apparent wind when sails are properly trimmed.
“The result of my design is not a cute cartoon,” Perry concluded, “but a really capable offshore cruising yacht.
Construction
Berg, two professional surveyors, and owners who responded to the PS Boatowner’ s Questionnaire agree that the Baba 30 is a well-constructed, blue-water vessel.
The hulls were constructed of uncored, hand-laid fiberglass using alternating layers of 1. 5-ounce mat and 24-ounce woven roving.
There are six layers in most places, and 10-12 layers in the keel area,” Berg recalled.
The interiors of early boats were smoothed and sprayed with gelcoat, and covered with a quilted vinyl material. Later models were sprayed with a foam that provided insulation and sound deadening.
Newer boats we inspected also have hulls lined with teak battens in the saloon and forepeak, which improve noise insulation and add to the boat’s traditional feel. The cabin sole is teak and holly. Cabinetry and joinery are of a quality typically associated with high-end custom yachts.
Berg disclosed that some of the hulls experienced minor blistering problems, “usually within 12″ of the waterline,” he said.
Ron Reisner, a Seattle-based surveyor and construction consultant with Reisner and McEwen, Inc., oversaw construction of Baba yachts during the 1970’s on two trips to Taiwan. He has since surveyed several used Baba 30’s, including two in 1998.
“The boats were substantially built, and have held up well,” he told us. “The only problem we have discovered is that some chainplate bolts have corroded.” Because the bolts are visible from below, their condition is easy to monitor.
Jerry Edwards, a surveyor with the same firm, concurred. Edwards sold, commissioned and performed sea trials on several boats during three years as a yacht broker, and has surveyed seven since becoming a surveyor.
“The construction is on a par with almost any quality production boat,” he said. “The electrical systems are excellent; the company used high quality wire, which was tagged and bundled. The plumbing system is also good. The blisters we saw were usually 1/8″ inch in size, and usually in small clusters near the waterline. They probably were a function of the company using isophthalic resins, rather than orthophthalic. But my main criticism of the boat is the use of a steel fuel tank.”
We inspected boats constructed in 1979 and 1983, both of which had completed trans-Pacific passages, and found no evidence of cracking or crazing on gelcoat surfaces, or of water leaks around the mast or ports. One still has a good non-skid surface on deck. On the other, its teak decks showed little wear.
The first boats produced were equipped with only one set of shrouds, Berg told us. However, after one owner’s boat was dismasted, fore and aft lower shrouds were added to the single spreader rig.
Later models incorporated a boom gallows.
Deck Layout
One of the Baba 30’s most prominent features is the 4′ bowsprit. It is surrounded by a stainless steel pulpit, and also houses two bow rollers and a large bronze winch.
Most boats were equipped with self-tending staysails, but two we inspected had been retrofitted with furlers on the jib and staysail stays, which simplified sail handling during double-handed passages across the Pacific Ocean.
The rest of the boat’s on-deck systems are rather ordinary; halyards are led to Lewmar 30 twospeed winches mounted on the cabin top, and jib sheets through blocks to Lewmar 40 two-speed winches in the cockpit. Sail tracks, port and starboard, on the coachroof, are for the stay sail sheets. The side decks are 18″ wide. The toerail is 3″ high.
Though tiny, the cockpit is functionally organized. Stowage space includes a port lazarette, two elevated, ovalshaped compartments aft that also provide a backrest for the helmsman and crew, and another vented compartment for a propane tank. Two 14″-wide cubbies with teak covers are good for stowing winch handles and other small items.
Two hatches and four bronze opening ports on each side of the cabin were standard. Two opening skylights over the saloon are 34″ long and 18″ wide; a second 24″ square hatch is located over the forepeak. Additional ventilation is through two 6″ Dorades installed in fiberglass boxes forward of the mast.
One owner mounted a spinnaker pole on a sail track on the front of the mast, which takes no otherwise usable space and eliminates the need to drill holes in the deck.
Accommodations
A number of Baba 30’s have made trans-oceanic passages, carrying adequate provisions for a crew of two. One couple spent 27 days sailing from Hawaii to Seattle.
The layout is fairly straightforward with the galley to port below the companionway, the nav station opposite, and a quarterberth to starboard. An almost triangular-shaped head is to starboard, forward of the saloon, and the V-berth fills the bow. With the exception of countertops in the galley, all of the surfaces are teak, which has aged well on the boats we saw.
The nav table is 28″ wide, and 17″ deep. A cabinet 26″ wide, 14″ high and 12″ deep is on the forward edge of the nav station and provides adequate room for VHS, GPS, ham radio or single-sideband and weatherfax. An additional 50″ x 9″ shelf provides room for books and other instruments.
The quarterberth aft of the nav station is 68″ long (plus 12″ of the nav seat) and 30″ wide and has stowage below it.
We found two interesting stowage areas under the companionway-a hanging locker immediately to starboard of the engine compartment that is large enough for two sets of foul weather gear, and another 18″ wide and 12″ high into which one owner had mounted a small microwave oven.
The engine is accessible by removing the companionway steps and cover, though some owners complain that changing oil filters is an acrobatic challenge.
The galley is a typical U-shaped affair with the ice box aft, a gimbaled two-burner stove and a dry locker and sink forward. Countertops are as large as those found on bigger boats.
Living spaces are equally spacious, partially attributable to the boat’s 10′ 6″ beam and 6′ 4″ headroom. The port settee is 6′ long and the starboard settee is 50″. Three storage compartments measuring 20″ wide, 21″ tall and 16″ deep are located on both sides of the boat, above which are enclosed cabinets more than 24″ long.
Water and fuel tanks are located below the settees.
The head is large enough to be functional but has little elbow room. It measures 31″ deep and 42″ wide, and is equipped with a circular stainless sink. The medicine cabinet is large enough for some toiletries, but too small for a cruising medical kit.
The hanging locker to port is 43″ high and 18″ wide-adequate for a small amount of clothing. We think most clothes will be stored in cabinets below the 77″ x 60″ V-berth. The chain locker/forepeak is accessed through louvered teak doors. A drawback is the water that can come aboard with the ground tackle, not to mention the smell of mud.
In our opinion, the spaces belowdecks on this boat are well-organized and adequate for couples planning extended passages, especially compared to newer production boats.
Some owners, however, report that tankage numbers are inaccurate. One told us that the fuel tank holds just 2 7 gallons, not 40 as advertised. Another said the two 40-gallon water tanks hold only 50 gallons combined.
Performance
Our experience aboard the Baba 30, corroborated by PS readers, found that in very light winds she’s an under-performer; above that, she performs on all points of sail, is sea kindly and has an easy helm.
The most cogent comments came from a couple in their mid-50’s who sailed a 1976 model from Hawaii to Seattle. After cruising Hawaiian waters for 18 months, they began the upwind route to the mainland, which took 27 days. The boat was not equipped with a spinnaker, so they used a 150% genoa in light air.
In less than 10 knots of wind the boat made 1-2 knots, steered to within 5 of its intended course for three days by an Auto-helm wind vane. When winds picked up to more than 10 knots, boat speed increased to 5 knots while sailing under the vane on a close reach. Three days from port the boat was struck by a 30-hour storm, during which winds built from 20 to 50 knots.
“The wind vane wasn’t operating properly, so we disconnected it, and steered by hand,” the skipper said. “Aside from general fatigue, we had no problems because the boat was easy to sail and the helm well-balanced; we just tied off the helm and hid behind the dodger, sailing under a double-reefed main and staysail. The ride was very comfortable. It seems as though the more the wind blew, the stouter the boat became.”
Conclusions
We think the Baba 30 will be pleasing to the eye of any sailor with an appreciation for traditional yachts. The construction methods are among the best used during its era, and have aged well; recent surveys of aging boats show them to be structurally sound. Accommodations are spacious and the joiner work is of very good quality. Performance is about what we’d expect for a boat with her displacement, so it’s no surprise that she’s sluggish in 5-10 knots of wind.
The Baba 30 has held its value well; used boats are still commanding prices nearly as high as they were 10 years ago.
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
I’ve never seen a 30 – or any baba – with a self tending staysail, nor have i ever heard of it anywhere else. I don’t know where the number of hatches came from either : companionway, forward hatch, and 10 opening windows (all of them). Most 30s have one inline and one aft lower (though a few moved the inline lower shroud forward). Otherwise, this seems mostly accurate. Oh, several dozen hull numbers were skipped so there’s about 150 30s produced i believe.
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Bluewater Sailboat – Baba 35
Also called: flying dutchman 35, fd35, ta shing 35.
This classically designed full-keel double ender by Robert H. Perry’s design team originally went by the name Flying Dutchman 35, but it is now more commonly referred to as the Bluewater Sailboat Baba 35. One of Perry’s most attractive double-enders, it has exquisitely proportioned lines that make many people fall in love with it.
In terms of both size and flavor, she falls between the three Baba boats. The Baba 40 serves the role of the swift and opulent traveler, while the Baba 30, is the chubby go-anywhere liveaboard. Ta Shing, Taiwan’s top boatyard from the 1970s to 1980s, is the maker of all of these vessels. They have established a solid reputation for decency at sea, sturdy construction, and some of the highest-quality interiors available aboard cruising yachts even today.
- LOD: 34′ 11″
- LWL: 29′ 8″
- Beam: 11′ 2″
- Draft: 5′ 6″
- Displacement: 21,140 lbs.**
- Ballast: 8,000 lbs.
- Sail Area: 716 sq. ft.
- Engine: Yanmar 33 hp
- Fuel: 75 US Gal.
- Water: 100 US. Gal.
- Designer: Robert H. Perry
- Builder: Ta Shing, Taiwan
- First Introduced: 1979
- Year Ended: 1986
- Total Built: 75
- Also Known As: Flying Dutchman 35, FD35, Ta Shing 35
- ** Owners report their boats weigh well in excess of 28,000 lbs. in cruising trim. Both Perry and Tim Ellis report the boats came in on weight ex-factory.
Bob Berg, who created the Baba series of boats, was a partner in the Flying Dutchman boat dealership on the West Coast at the time. Berg was the first to see the possibilities in a small Taiwanese yard called Shing Sheng, which had transitioned from building fishing boats to producing yachts with a half-tonner for the Japanese market. Although the boat had some success, happily, this wasn’t the case when Shing Sheng began building Berg’s Baba 30. The boats were constructed with remarkable quality, and Perry’s concept was a success.
Due to this success, the little boatyard was able to ramp up operations in 1979 and change its name to Ta Shing while also acquiring new, purpose-built facilities. In order to compete with his earlier Tayana 37 design, which was selling in significant quantities, Berg approached Perry at this time. Strangely, this new commission was given the Flying Dutchman 35 designation rather than Baba 35. The term “Baba 35” does appear in later promotional materials, and it is this name that has gained popularity.
In the original Shing Sheng workshop, the boat was lofted. Berg’s production manager Tim Ellis says, “The flat part of the stem did not blend perfectly with the pointed part of the stem beneath it, which was one particular problem with the lines. After carefully examining the lines and offsets, choose to add a chine to the stem’s intersection with the flat. It provides the bow a distinctive aspect.” The project went successfully aside from this and a trim issue that required Perry to make a change to fix a significant list.
A few pilothouse versions of the well-liked aft cockpit configuration were also constructed, and Perry continues to appreciate them. The Baba 40 Pilothouse incorporated a lot of the lessons learned while creating the Baba 35 Pilothouse. It is estimated that 75 boats, including 7 pilothouses, were built in all. In 1986, production was stopped. There is a hull number gap between 51 and 100, inclusive, and the hull numbers range from 002 to 126.
The Tayana 37, Perry’s most productive design in terms of production numbers, and the Baba 35 have certain similarities. In essence, her hull form represents a progression in the same direction. With the Tayana 37, Perry gave the full-keeled double-ender genre, which dates all the way back to Colin Archer’s lifeboat designs in the late-18th century, some performance. In Perry’s design, the keel and hull were attached as separate, clearly defined surfaces rather than the customary wineglass blend. The forefoot cutaway is mild with a more defined leading edge than the Tayana on the Baba 35, whose keel is still rather full.
The Baba’s deck profile and elegantly proportioned sheerline complement one other beautifully. The cabin house is small, the side decks are spacious, and Perry used a wraparound cockpit coaming from the Hans Christian 34.
The 35 will perform admirably in light air circumstances thanks to the well-canvassed rig, and of course, a cutter rig with a bowsprit is required for this sort of boat. The author of Yacht Design Perry claims that the initial tall rig might have been too large for some cruising regions, but he did have the opportunity to create a smaller rig for later boats that might be better all-around.
The outstanding interior quality is arguably the most noteworthy aspect. Ta Shing’s master joinery work and Berg’s own interior design skills produced a powerful combination. Berg was renowned for making painstaking efforts to squeeze space out of every available place. The Baba 35’s internal area is more comparable to many 40-foot yachts.
Key aspects of the interior layout offered alternatives. A double or a v-berth could be found in the forepeak, and the saloon had either straight couches with drop-leaf tables or couches with a L form that wrapped around the table on one side. Either a sea-going quarter berth or a sizable hanging locker were available further aft to starboard.
The galley, which is in the shape of a U, is to port and is the envy of larger vessels. The boat’s essential components are all conveniently accessible, allowing for good serviceability and maintenance.
Owners claim that interior modifications started around 1983. These adjustments included moving the head from port to starboard and installing a teak enclosure around the mast on all boats. Diagonally positioned galley sinks also allowed for greater cabinet space. These adjustments included modest finishing improvements like less teak in the head and a switch from the original rubbed oil finish to a lighter polyurethane finish on internal wood.
Performance
Seagoing comfort ranks highly on the list of benefits at average cruising trim, which weighs more than 28,000 lbs in a full keel displacement hull. The hull is initially supple before becoming stiffer at about 20 degrees of heel; this supple early heel tends to help the ride be mild and sea-friendly. For a full keel boat, she does not hobbyhorse much until the ends have been loaded and are well balanced in most situations.
Owners note that their boats are faster than they would anticipate despite having a large displacement. In open sea circumstances, they are capable of outsailing lighter, bigger boats on all points of sail. Although a reach is where the Bluewater Sailboat Baba 35 performs best, it also performs admirably close to the wind and noticeably takes away little leeway.
The boat sails best with a Yankee plus staysail combination, and in moderate winds, a cruising spinnaker is more practical than a big genoa. The Baba 35 comes into its own when the waves increase; in a storm, her displacement and reasonably full keel enable heaving-to in a relatively high degree of comfort. In a typical trade wind day, expect around 130 miles of sailing.
Quick guide
Have your surveyor inspect elements like chainplates and portions of balsa coring for rot, as is common with many boats older than 25 years. On most vessels, the original teak decks are still in good condition. Due to their high construction quality, the Baba 35s have aged well overall, better than other boats from this era. The majority of owners have changed the in-bilge installed mild steel fuel tanks because they have been shown to be prone to corrosion. Resale value has remained high, as it has for all boats from Ta Shing.
Now you can also precisely calculate the expenses related to boat ownership to make smart choices based on your budget and sailing needs. Use this bluewater Sailboat Calculator to explore different options and make the best decision.
If you’re looking for a used sailboat for sale, check out the Bluewater sailboat data and specs to make an informed decision. Ocean Wave Sail has data for over 10000+ boats that can help you select one to meet your sailing needs.
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- Sailboat Guide
Baba 30 is a 34 ′ 6 ″ / 10.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert Perry and built by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. between 1976 and 1986.
- 5 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 6 / 38 Huntington Beach, CA, US 2019 Baba 30 $2,000 USD View
- 7 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
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- 10 / 38 Huntington Beach, CA, US 2019 Baba 30 $2,000 USD View
- 11 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
- 12 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
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- 18 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 19 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
- 20 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 21 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
- 22 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 23 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 24 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
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- 26 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
- 27 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 28 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
- 29 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 30 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
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- 36 / 38 United States 2001 Baba 30 $25,000 USD View
- 37 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
- 38 / 38 United States 1979 Baba 30 $24,500 USD View
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
A collaboration between Bob Berg of Flying Dutchman, the design genius of Bob Perry and a Taiwanese boatyard that built fishing boats brought about the Baba 30, a serious go-anywhere boat packed into a diminutive 30 feet on deck. Traditionally styled, she is a beautifully proportioned double-ender with a full keel that’s a heavy weather performer. With excellent construction and a high end interior, Baba 30s have aged well, demanding a relatively high resale value and have become a favorite among cruising couples.
The Baba 30 was introduced in 1976 as a response to the unprecedented success of the Westsail 32 which with the help of a Time Magazine lifestyle feature is generally credited for creating the cruising boat boom of the 1970s.
Bob Berg of Flying Dutchman International enlisted Bob Perry to design the boat and contracted construction to a little known boatyard in Tainan City, Taiwan called Shing Sheng who’s first first foray from fishing boats to sailboats was a sophisticated 27ft racer built for a Japanese customer. The Baba 30 became the second yacht to be produced by Shing Sheng. It’s said that Perry had to kick chickens out of the way when walking to the yard in those early years. It was a place where the workers rechristened Bob Berg with the nickname “Baba”, affectionately meaning father; it was catchy enough to stick for the boat as well. By 1979 Shing Shen moved from An-Ping Quay to purpose built facilities in An-Ping Industrial Estate and a new name, “Ta Shing” was adopted.
Production ended in 1985 and although hull numbers go up to #246, there was a gap in numbering between #125 and #201 resulting in a total production count of around 170 boats. During this time the Baba 30 was joined by two other Perry designed stablemates, the Baba 35 .
The Baba 30 concept was later evolved by Bob Berg using designer Gary Grant into the Panda 34 and chose boatyard Hsin Hang to build the boat in Northern Taiwan. While Ta Shing themselves commissioned Perry to design the Tashiba 31 , an all new boat, one that Perry himself considers one of his best full keel designs, but is often mistaken as a revised Baba 30.
As a side note, in 1983 the Shing Sheng name was revived by Paul Wang, a senior partner in Ta Shing. Paul went on to build a number of Gary Grant designs including the Norseman 40 in his custom built facility in An-Ping Industrial District.
Configuration and Layout
There’s no questioning that this is a traditional full keel double-ender of Aitkens and Colin Archer heritage. The boat is nicely proportioned with beautifully balanced overhangs, a sweeping sheer, and the Perry favorite; a traditional canoe stern. A four foot bowsprit sits up front and from the mast hangs a cutter rig boasting a healthy 504 sq. ft. of sail.
John Kretschmer writing for Sailing Magazine commented, “it’s a big boat trapped in a short body” and certainly the displacement and ballast numbers are more akin to boats in the 35ft range. The cockpit is small, giving up most of the space to an expansive interior boasting 6′ 4″ of headroom. The layout down below has blue water in mind; there’s a seagoing berth and chart table combo on the starboard quarter and a large U-shaped seagoing galley to port. Two additional berths are provided in the saloon by way of settees either side of the saloon table. On some boats the table can fold away opening up the saloon, as per Perry’s original plans. The forward cabin came in two options, either a V-berth or a double berth which found favor in the East Coast. The quality of workmanship is superb and teak is abundantly used.
Construction
The Baba 30’s GRP hull follows the same layup schedule as the Valiant 32, with hull thicknesses running from just over a quarter of an inch near the topsides, to over a third of an inch near the bilges and grows to over half an inch in the tuck and keel. A single casting of iron is used as ballast which is encapsulated in GRP.
The hull to deck join is glued and through-bolted with a teak caprail sitting above the join. Early decks were cored with end-grain, kiln-dried, luan (philippine mahogany) affixed in 2 x 2 x 0.6 inch pieces, laid in filled polyester resin, later vessels utilized end-grain balsa on scrim with engineered kerfs (Baltec Contour core). Areas with through-deck fittings were locally cored in high quality marine plywood (made in Taiwan out of mahogany with waterproof glue, and boil-tested). All Baba 30 decks had a molded non-skid pattern, Thiokol-bedded teak decking was an option.
Bulkheads were of marine plywood that were staved with teak battens of 2 inches width, and much later, towards the end of production, models were available with teak veneered bulkheads as a means of reducing cost.
Early boats had wooden spars, of oregon and B.C. hemlock which do need regular care, but properly maintained will last the life of the yacht; owners tend to paint them (bad), and often do not understand that upkeep is required.
There has been an unconfirmed report of asbestos used in the galley. Tim Ellis who oversaw production of the Baba 30 from 1977 comments, “If woven asbestos was used, it was behind the stainless steel liner of the stove insert. Asbestos poses no threat in this situation and should not be disturbed. It is the handling and disposal of asbestos that requires care. To be honest, I don’t recall if we used it or not”
As a blue water cruiser, the Baba 30 will carry its crew in safety, and despite its small size, in relative comfort. The boat is well balanced and is relatively stiff. The best point of sail is on a reach with the first reef thrown in at a respectable 20 knots. In storm conditions the boat heaves-to beautifully and the boat is safe and dry.
Most owners report the boat under performs in light airs, to windward do not expect to make much headway in less than 6 knots of wind; 12-18 knots is her element. It’s worth noting Perry disagrees, commenting that the hull though pudgy, is easily driven, and under well trimmed sails can move very nicely in light airs.
Buyers Notes
As with many boats older than 25 years, have your surveyor check items such as chainplates, areas of balsa coring for rot and if applicable, the teak and the wooden mast. Overall, the Baba 30s have aged well, probably better than most boats of this era due to their excellent build quality.
Most Baba 30 owners have replaced the original mild steel 30 gallon fuel tank, which was susceptible to corrosion mounted in the bilge. The tank removes easily in half an afternoon and a new one fabricated from $600 to $1000 from a variety of materials. It’s worth noting the stainless steel water tanks and even the engine are easily removable in the Baba 30, sometimes a big job in other boats.
Resale value has remained high for a boat of its size, but when comparing with other boats in its price range, the 30 offers good value. The value of a Baba 30 will depend largely on the owner care received over the years, as of 2010 the asking price is in the range of $50k-95k USD.
It’s recommended prospective buyers contact the Baba Owners Group at for advice, they run a Yahoo discussion group that’s worth checking out.
Links, References and Further Reading
» Baba Owners Group, Baba 30 info » Baba, Panda, Tashiba sailboat Yahoo Group, information and owner discussions » Sailing Magazine, Jul 2008, Boats and Gear, A bluewater beauty that was built to last” by John Kretschmer » Practical Sailor Magazine, Nov 1998, p12-15, Used Boat Review: an in depth review of the Baba 30 » Good Old Boat Magazine, Mar 1999, Baba 30 feature
For their assistance in the writing of this article, thanks goes out to Tim Ellis who supervised the Baba line of yachts built at Shing Sheng / Ta Sheng during 1977-1987 as well as owners from the Baba Association, particularly Alan D. Sugarman. Permission to publish line drawings and notes kindly granted by Robert H. Perry.
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Baba boats for sale on YachtWorld are available for a swath of prices from $7,500 on the more modest side, with costs up to $144,000 for the most advanced and biggest yachts. What Baba model is the best? Some of the most iconic Baba models now listed include: 40, 30, 35 and Tashiba 40. Baba models are available through yacht brokers, dealers ...
BABA 30. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. US IMPERIAL. METRIC. Sailboat Specifications Definitions ... 1997), states that a boat with a BN of less than 1.3 will be slow in light winds. A boat with a BN of 1.6 or greater is a boat that will be reefed often in offshore cruising. Derek Harvey, "Multihulls for Cruising and Racing ...
Find Baba 30 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Baba boats to choose from.
The Baba 30 continues to have one of the highest resale values in the marketplace. Twenty-year-old boats sell for $55,000 to $60,000; newer models for $60,000 to $65,000. Because Flying Dutchman had dealers on both coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes and Canada, it is possible to find used boats in most areas.
Baba preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Baba used sailboats for sale by owner.
The Baba 40, also known as the Panda 40 and later the Tashiba 40, is the third of the Baba lineup of boats involving developer Bob Berg, designer Bob Perry, and the Ta Shing boatyard. One can arguably consider the Baba 40 a full keel reincarnation of the Valiant 40 , the boat that put the word "performance" next to "cruiser".
Baba 30. The baba is a classic looking modern yacht. The Baba 30 was the smallest craft in the range but very popular, with some 170 having been built. They were built as sturdy vessels suitable for making long offshore and ocean passages needing only a couple of people to crew the boat. Although capable of sleeping 5 people they are generally ...
The Baba 30 Boat Review. I have a friend who, at the age of 35, after sailing a 27-footer to Bermuda, declared that he would never again sail a boat offshore that was shorter in length than his age. This made sense at the time, but more than 20 years later, may not be practical. Despite her size, the Baba 30 is a legitimate go-anywhere ...
30'. '. '. California. $45,000. Description: This is beautiful restored 1978 BABA 30 from Robert Perry design a sturdy vessel suitable for making long offshore and ocean passages. Restoration was completed in late 2020 from brand new Yanmar diesel 30hp engine with only 120 hrs, new fuel tank, new upholstery, electrical, solar panel, electronic ...
Overview. New Year's Price Drop To $69,900. If you don't fall in love at first site with this gem of a Baba, there's just no sailor in you! But you don't have to be a sailor to appreciate the true art and beauty of this rare and highly capable Baba - the last of her build! From her "top to bottom" beautifully lacquered solid teak, including ...
Boats for Sale ⁄ / Sail ⁄ / Baba; Sail Baba boats for sale. Save Search. Clear Filter Make / Model: All Baba Category: All Sail. Location. By Radius. By Country. country-all. All Countries. Country-US. United States. Country-VI. U.S. Virgin Islands. All. All 25 miles 50 miles 100 miles 200 miles 300 miles 500 miles 1000 miles 2000 miles ...
Bob Berg, who created the Baba series of boats, was a partner in the Flying Dutchman boat dealership on the West Coast at the time. Berg was the first to see the possibilities in a small Taiwanese yard called Shing Sheng, which had transitioned from building fishing boats to producing yachts with a half-tonner for the Japanese market. Although ...
2024 Thor Lake Hammer 1754. US$35,999. Performance East Inc | Goldsboro, North Carolina. <. 1. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price. Boats Group does not guarantee the accuracy of conversion rates and rates may differ than those provided by financial institutions at the time of transaction.
Baba 30 is a 34′ 6″ / 10.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert Perry and built by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. between 1976 and 1986. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session.
1981. 30'. 10.'. 4.9'. Florida. $47,500. Description: The Baba 30 is a Robert Perry designed, cutter rigged, heavy displacement blue water cruising sailboat. With a canoe stern and cut away full keel she is described by Blue Water Sailing as serious go-anywhere boat.
Overview. With canoe stern and cutaway full keel this Bob Perry design has won acclaim as one of the most desirable blue water pocket cruisers. She was built in the Ta-Shing boat yard in Taiwan which is one of the top boat building facilities in the world. They currently make Nordhavens. In the past six years the owner to the Baba 30 has sailed ...
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The Baba 30 is a cutter rig with a canoe stern and bow sprit. Considered a great offshore boat for the solo skipper, she sleeps 4 in a lush double cabin with 6'4" headroom. Laden with teak, the traditionalist loves this boat and they love the increased displacement for offshore conditions. A true blue water cruiser, capable of world voyaging.
2023 Silver Wave 2410 SW3 RLP. US$52,999. Performance East Inc | Goldsboro, North Carolina. <. 1. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price. Boats Group does not guarantee the accuracy of conversion rates and rates may differ than those provided by financial institutions at the time of transaction.
Baba ⁄ / United States; Baba boats for sale in United States. Save Search. Clear Filter Make / Model: All Baba Country: United States. Location. By Radius. By Country. country-all. All Countries. Country-US. United States. Country-CA. Canada. All. All 25 miles 50 miles 100 miles 200 miles 300 miles 500 miles 1000 miles 2000 miles 5000 miles.