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TAIPAN was designed by Kaufman and Ladd of Annapolis Maryland USA and built in the Kha Shing Shipyard in Taiwan in 1987 to American Bureau of Shipping Standards. Launched in Fremantle, Western Australia for US owners to use to observe the Americas Cup that year, and then to cruise the Australian coast. The original design was a 47-foot model but later they modified the transom and the extended model became known as the Taiwan Swan at 49 feet. Taipan was one of the last boats built. 

Construction

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  • Builder: Kha Shing Shipyard (Taiwan)

  • GRP 

  • Designer: Kaufman and Ladd

 

Measurements

​

  • Length: 49' 0"

  • Beam: 4.2 m

  • Displacement: 16 ton

  • Min Draft: 2.2 m

  • Ballast: 5 ton

 

  •  

Engines

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  • Number of Engines: 1

  • Engine(s) Make: Yanmar

  • Engine Model: 4JH4-TE

  • Engine Year: 2012

  • Engine Fuel Type: Diesel

  • Engine Propeller Type: 2 Blade

  • Engine Hours: 3700

 

Tankage

​

  • Fuel: 3 aluminium tanks total 450 litres

  • Water: 2 tanks total 600 litres​


Built of GRP in Taiwan by the well respected Kai Sheng Shipyard, with an encapsulated long fin keel, and solid skeg-hung rudder, her robust construction, and sleek underwater profile make her a fast, and safe ocean-going vessel quite capable of navigation in higher latitudes.

​

 

Contact.  svtaipan@hotmail.com

Construction

GRP hull with Epoxy layup below the water line. The hull structure meets or exceeds the American Bureau of Shipping standards.

Airex core deck 

Rudder. Skeg hung. The rudder is designed to stand alone without the need of a skeg.

Emergency steering tiller. 

Quadrant chain and cable steering (8mm) (2016)

 
Mechanical

Engine Yanmar 4JH4-TE, 75hp turbo (New 2012) (5000 hours) All new piping and mounts

Drive system Volvo V drive MS2V 1:2.37, Fully rebuilt gears, seals bearings etc. 2021

40mm prop shaft serviced checked true (2021), 

PolyFlex (Aust) flexible coupling Oct (2021), 

Manecraft EM stern shaft seal Oct (2021), 

Prop shaft cutlass bearing Oct(2021). 

Propellor fixed 2 blade sailing type 22”, Serviced balanced and repitched 2021

Antifoul Oct 2021

 
Electrics

Generator Northern Lights M673 L3. 5Kva 240v (NEW. 2018)

Inverter/battery charger Victron Multi 2000/80 with VE.Bus Multi control (2021) 

Inverter Xantrex Prowatt 110v pure sine wave 600W remote control (2016)

Main Alternator Leece Neville heavy duty 12v 140A with Balmar MC-614 smart regulator (2014)

Batteries House bank 4 x 125Ah Lithionics LifePo4 (Feb 2021)

Dump battery 2021

Yanmar Main Starter battery  1 x  AGM 12v 105AH 701CCA (2019) 

Northern Lights Starter battery. 1 x AGM 12v 80Ah 700CCA (2019)

Dock power plugs 220v and 110v, reverse polarity indicators, 

110v to 220v Transformer wiring (no transformer) (2014)

Solar Panels Kyocera 4 x 85w (2009) with Victron MPPT controller (2009)

12v Fans throughout.

All interior lighting LED

 

Sails and Rigging

Sundry Standing rigging, (2014)

Backstay and Insulators Dec 2017 

Forestay July 2019

Forward Lowers (Jan 2021)

Port Intermediate (Jan 2021)

Inner Forestay Tang (2021)

Running rigging and sheets ongoing replacement.

Headsail sheets (2021)

Spinaker Halyard (2021)

Mast (out, painted and serviced and all new wiring. 2012)

Mainsheet traveler system (new/rebuilt 2013)

Boom painted, refurbished, and strengthened (2009) 

Winches

  • Sheet winch 2 x Barient 36, (72:1) 2 speed self tailing

  • Sheet winch 2 x Barient 32, 2 speed self tailing

  • Halyard winch 4 X Barient 24 2 speed self tailing

  • Main outhaul winch on boom Barlow 16 (Aust)

  • Reefing line winch on boom Barlow 16 (Aust) 

Boom strut

Tides Marine Main Sail Track system (2014)

Windex masthead wind indicator

Full mainsail bag with lazy jacks  (2021)

Genoa furling Furlex system

Staysail Profurl C350 furling system (2014)

New Track fitted to the front of mast for Spinnaker Pole 2021

Sails

  • Mainsail North Sails NEW Nov. (2020)

  • Genoa Yankee Hi-tech. Kemp Sails, Triradial Cut. 100% New December 2017

  • Genoa Yankee Hood 65%, condition 90%

  • Staysail Rolly Tasker, condition 90% (2012)

  • Storm Jib and Trisail. Never used

  • Asymmetric Spinnaker and pole (mounted on mast.) Condition 70%

Control Lines actioned from the cockpit:

  • Mainsheet, 

  • Traveller,

  • Reefing lines no. 2 & 3,

  • Boom preventers.

  • Staysail halyard

  • Running backstays

  • Furler lines

  • Sheets

 

Navigation & Electronics

Raymarine ST series Wind, Depth, Speed 

Furuno Navnet 3D MFD8 with charts for Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Bahamas, USA, South UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands. Alaska. (2009)

Furuno Radar on radar tower (2009) new Magnetron (2021)

Furuno GPS receiver GP330B on radar tower (2015)

Digital Yacht AIS 2000 B class transponder/receiver (2014)

Autopilot 2 x TMQ AP55 (Aust) commercial pilots (2015, 2019) 2 independent controls.

Autopilot 1 x TMQ AP50 2001 Updated 2014

Separate quadrant for autopilot chain and cable 

 

Communication

Iridium Go with External Marine antenna 2016

Icom 710 HF Radio and auto tuner, backstay aerial (2009)

Boss Audio Systems Audio Car Stereo USB, Bluetooth, & iPod player.

Speakers in cockpit and saloon.

Standard Horizon VHF Matrix AIS/GPS radio, Commander Mic in the cockpit. (2016)

Fog Horn / PA on the mast. (2014) 

GME EPIRB (Current to Sep 2019)(new battery 2016)

ACR Globalfix EPIRB (2018)

 

Domestic

Broadwater S/S 4 burner gas cooker with Grill and Oven

Double SS sinks (2009)

Corian work surfaces. (including Galley Tops, Chart Table Aft Head, and Laundry / Workshop) (2009)

400lt 12v Refrigeration. DB50F compressor, VD15 Forced air evaporator. Front and top access.(2019) 

40lt Waeco 12v freezer. Danfoss DB35F compressor (2021)

Washing machine LG 5kg 220v front loading. (2009)

Master fwd cabin bed 1500 x 2100 Latex and memory foam mattresses with covers.(2009)

Aft berth bed 1350 x 2000 Latex and memory foam mattresses with covers. (2009)

3 Cockpit Cushions Sunbrella. (2009)

Saloon Seating Micro-fibre. (2009) 

Saloon Cushions x 4. (2009)

LED interior and cockpit lighting. Including courtesy lighting in fridge, cupboards, and robes.

Cockpit table, 6 seats, removable

Air conditioning 

Reverse cycle air conditioner Dometic 10,000BTU , ducted (2021) 

 
Heating 

Eberspacher Diesel Heater. Hydronic D5 SC  Dec, 2017

Snow Bird Cabin Heater. Hot coolant / forced air radiator 20000BTU air heater. 2017

Ceramic Fan Heater. Elec. 220v

 
Water system

Marine Hot water system, 220v, Eberspacher or engine heated. New Pressure Relief Valve 2017

Water-maker 12v Spectra Newport 400 70l/hour (2006) refurbished Clark pump 2018, new Shufow pressure pumps 2019, spare membrane

Pressurized hot and cold water throughout the boat

Pressurized saltwater to galley and aft head

Toilets

  • Main bathroom Lavac vacuum with auto Whale Gulper 12v toilet pump (2016), pumped via diverting valve to O/B or Blackwater holding tank (40L) with macerator.

  • Fwd bathroom Lavac vacuum with manual Henderson Mk 5 pump, pumped O/B. New hoses 2011

Grey Water System 

  • Main grey water tank 40L pump out Whale Gulper 220 diaphragm pump, receives all aft greywater. 2012

  • Fwd grey water tank receives fwd greywater, both interconnected (2009).

Bilge pumps

  • Jabsco 50220 series impeller damage control pump, engine driven twin belt with an electric clutch, 25,000L/H (rebuilt, new clutch 2012)

  • Bilge Pumps, Automatic, 12v, with high water alarms

  • 1 x Rule main bilge > 7,500L/H, (2018)

  • 1 x Rule engine room bilge > 7,500L/H, Manual bilge pump, 

  • Aft, Manual Henderson Mark 5, 3,600L/H New hoses 2017

 

Deck 

Deck painted Awlgrip Snowwhite and nonskid (2012) 

Deck Hatches 8 Bomar Cast Aluminium.

Cabin Windows 9 Aluminum 

Anchor Winch  Lofrans Project X3 1500 with up and down controls (2019) 

80M 10mm galvanized chain (2014)

40kg (88lbs)Rocna Anchor 2019

55kg CQR Type anchor (Aust).

Danforth 20kg Stern Anchor plus 20m chain and rope rode.

Stainless Steel Davits.

Side and stern boarding ladders and swim ladder.

Stainless steel safety rail around the entire deck at 600mm

Granny bars on deck on both sides of the mast.

Magma gas BBQ.

All navigation lights LED (2013) 

Anchor light LED (2013)

Deck light Hella LED (2013)

Bimini and Dodger GRP high strength core hardtops (2009) 

Side curtains, clear covers, and shade for the entire cockpit. Fits hardtops New Strataglass 2021

Sunbrella Foredeck cover. (2021)

Rear weather cloth.

Deck / Anchor wash, salt or freshwater, 12v (2012)

2 x Dorade Vents

 
 
Fuel and Water

600lt water in two GRP Vynlester tanks. (2009)

450lt Diesel in 3 Aluminum marine grade tanks, interconnected by supply and return manifolds (200lt 2009 others rebuilt in 2013)

All fuel tanks can be removed, tanks have 2 inspection/cleaning openings to clean the entire tank.

Fuel polishing system, 12v pumps, Kleenoil and Racor filters systems (2013) 

 

Tender

Swift 3.1 RIB Oct 2021

Mercury 2 stroke 3Hp with the mount on the rail (2001)

Mercury 2 stroke 15 HP with the mount on the rail (2019)

2 x Dingy Fuel tank (2021).

Tender Davits & Stainless Steel Outboard lifter

​

 
Accessories.

Bicycles.Giant 2 x Folding in bags (2020)

Power Dive Hooker (Aust) 2 person, with regulators, belts and weights fins (2016)

2 folding chairs

Deck broom

2 boat hooks and 1 mooring snap-grab. 

Electric dock cables and plugs 220v (50m) & 110v (30m)

Buckets and heavy fishing box

Water hoses and fittings, deck water duel carbon & sediment filters system

20L Jerry Cans. 4 diesel, 1 petroleum, and 1 Water.

Vacuum oil extractor

Baja fuel filter, fuel funnels. 

Prop puller.

Spares and Consumables

Spare AP50 autopilot system

Plumbing and engine hoses and fittings, clamps joiners etc.

Sundry fenders, lines.

Hurricane warps and extensive spare sheets and ropes.

Spare shackles, blocks, and battens.

Yanmar engine oil and fuel filters, water pump impeller and extractor, V belts

Northern Lights water pump impellers, 12v raw water pump, capacitors, fuel injector, zinc anodes,

Oil and fuel soaker pads 

Paints, primers, varnishes, sealants, oils, greases, solvents, epoxy, fibreglass mat, brushes, rollers. etc

Prop shaft and skegs zinc anodes

Water pumps, 1 x Jabsco waste diaphragm pump, 1 x pressure water pump, 1 x Henderson Mark 5 manual pump, 

 

Tools

Electric Tools: 

Sanders, belt, orbital and mini, plane, jigsaw, drills, Dremel, heat gun, soldering irons, sharpeners, angle grinder. Small compressor, air-inflation dingy pump.

Tool cupboards are full of screwdrivers, spanners, wrenches, pliers, cutters, saws, crimpers, electric fittings, joiners, hydraulic Jack. Clamps for metal or timber, bolts, screws, washers etc. spare belts, anodes, bearings etc. electric cabling, switches, relays etc.

Bolt cutters, heavy swaging tool.

 

Refrigeration Spares

​

Refrigerant, monitoring, and filling gauge 2014

Spare thermostat 

 

 

Galley

 

Breville Bread Maker, Sunbeam Vacuum Seal, and bags, Stick Blender. Ninja Nutrimix and attachments, Single Plate Induction Cooker 220V. Electric Coffee Grinder, All pots and pans, cutlery and crockery, Storage containers, Iron, Scales,

Soda Stream and bottles. 

EzyYo yogurt maker kit.

Wonderbag cooker.

2 x 4kg steel gas bottles

​

 

Laundry

Sheets, Towels, Blankets, Duvet, 2 sleeping bags, Electric Mattress Warmer, Pillows, Cushions, Bedspreads

Vacuum Cleaner 220v  and Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

 

Safety

VIKING RescYou Pro Self Righting 4 person Life Raft 2012 serviced (2019)

2 EPIRBS  GME and ARC Globalfix 2018

Jordan Series Drogue unused (2011). http://www.jordanseriesdrogue.com/

Radar reflector.

4 Inflating Harness (2013) 8 offshore life jackets.

Tethers, assorted spare foul weather gear.

Flare gun and flares. Pepper sprays.

Stainless steel security grill for companionway (lockable from inside and out).

Garmin Battery powered GPS.

Spotlight.

Strobe lights X 2

Various flashing colored strobe lights

Fujinon 7x50 Binoculars.

Comprehensive offshore First Aid Kit with manuals.

Man overboard life sling

3 Fire Extinguishers (2017)

1 Fire Blanket

 

Communications

Iridium Go with the externally mounted antenna.  New SIM ready to activate. (2016)

Handheld GME VHF (2021)

2 X Marriage Saver UHF headsets (2015)

Samsung B&W Laser Printer. (2012)

 

Navigation

Spare Win7 Laptop with charts of the world connected to AIS and GPS, tide tables etc. heaps of cruising guides and travel information.

Hummingbird 385 Ci GPS plotter (with depth sounder not attached)

Library of reference books. Electric, Machinery, Sailing, Cruising.

Thousands of  EBooks.


Fishing Gear. 

Gaff, 2 X Rods, Alvi reel, braided lines, lures and extras too numerous to mention.


Courtesy flags from many countries. 

Signal flags.


Footnote

No date means older than 10 years

Taipan was extensively optioned as an owner version, not the standard charter version. There are no sea berths in the saloon above the saloon seating. Instead, there are teak doors on good size storage lockers on both port and starboard. Sea berths are still usable in the folded down table seating and on the opposite settee. Taipan still sleeps 7. As owners we find it is always comfortable on long passages, sleeping in either the forward berth downwind or in the aft cabin on the wind.

 

Taipan was purchased by us in 2001 in Sydney and sailed back to Fremantle for the first of several refits.

 

The first was the removal of the teak decks and teak coach roof. The mast, stanchions, all the deck fittings etc were removed and Taipan was put into a shed in Fremantle. All the teak was screwed down so it was a laborious job which required unscrewing around 4000 screws and then with special wide chisels inching the teak off in slivers. The job including the fairing, filling and repainting, took several months to complete. We then applied a white Awlgrip and aggressive nonskid. The desired effect, which was to stop the leaks, was achieved!

 

Taipan had a long history of difficult or impossible deck leaks. The major problem was only discovered when the teak was removed. There are 12 deck lights which provide light below decks. None of them was properly finished off. We had to make all new mouldings and have them spliced into the Airex deck. The result has been NO Leaks for the past 19 years

 

Over the years we have made many changes to Taipan both interior and exterior. Now fitted with hard Dodger and Bimini, new motor, and interior layout which does away with the port side aft cabin in favour of washing machine, located in a fully equipped workshop below deck, and very large lazarette, accessed from the cockpit.

 

Companionway access was improved by cutting out the seat in front of the entrance and reducing the steps from 6 to 4. This was probably the single biggest improvement to comfort aboard! Heavy teak washboards secure the companionway at sea in heavy weather.

 

Access to the front of the engine is now also very easy with the large lifting stair panel. The cockpit floor lifts and panels in the aft cabin and aft lazarette also provide access. The engine and generator can be approached with ease from all sides.

 

The forward cabin has a queen-size bed and en-suite and the aft starboard cabin has a generous double bed with large en-suite

 

The Galley has a nice 4 burner gas stove with oven and grill, a huge 400 ltr refrigerator with 2 top and 1 front opening. The laundry has a full-size front load washer and 40 ltr freezer.

 

The Kaufman is a proven offshore, heavy weather design. John Kretschmer writes books, is a regular contributor to Sailing Magazine, and has been teaching heavy weather offshore techniques in a Kaufman 47 for many years   Check  https://johnkretschmersailing.com/

 

 

 

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