panda 38 sailboat

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• By Mary Brandon Fox
• Updated: March 4, 2010

Panda 38 368

The respected Ta Shing Yard in Taiwan built the Panda 38 in the 1980s for Bob Berg and the Quicksilver Corporation. It was designed to be a lighter, faster, and smaller sibling to the Panda 40 while retaining the solid offshore capability for which Berg’s boats were known.

Designer Gary Grant gave the Panda 38 traditional lines that are accentuated by generous applications of teak used on the wide caprail, bronze-capped rubrail, grabrails, and cockpit coaming. Most of the boats were cutter rigged as a factory option and were fitted with a generous bowsprit. A vented teak platform attached to the bowsprit accommodates dual bronze anchor rollers.

Ta Shing’s interior teak joinery and craftsmanship is legendary. Aboard our Panda 38, Restless, we feel as though we live in a fine piece of furniture. The bulkheads are vertical teak staving; the overhead, between the laminated beams, is made of removable panels of laminate or spruce staving; locker doors are louvered teak. A teak grate at the foot of the companionway drains through a pan into the bilge.

The roomy and seaworthy U-shaped galley is to port of the companionway. On the starboard side, the forward-facing navigation station has adequate room for instrumentation and ample space in which to work. In some boats, the layout of galley and nav station was reversed.

The main saloon provides a generous area for living and entertaining, with a settee/sea berth to port and, to starboard, a U-shaped dinette that seats four comfortably. The master stateroom, in the bow, has a king-size V-berth. Aft of it, on the starboard side, the head has a marble countertop and a separate shower. Aft of the navigation station is a quarter berth.

Twelve old-school bronze opening ports, four cowl vents on teak dorade boxes, a forward-opening teak hatch in the V-berth, and an elegant teak butterfly hatch over the main cabin provide excellent airflow throughout the interior.

While the standard engine was the Universal 40-hp. diesel, some boats, including ours, have a Universal 50. The V-drive transmission leaks notoriously and has been replaced on many boats. Access to the engine area under the cockpit is outstanding.

Generous tankage permits extended cruising: A black-iron tank under the saloon sole carries 75 gallons of diesel, and two stainless-steel tanks under the settees hold 140 gallons of water between them.

The Panda 38’s teak decks are laid on top of a fiberglass sandwich. When we removed hardware to recaulk the deck, we found that the deck core is made of individual 2-inch balsa squares with resin barriers between them, which limits core damage when a leak occurs.

A moderate performer under sail, the P38 goes to weather pretty well even in light air. The boat will turn in 150 miles in 24 hours with 10 knots or more forward of the beam, but if it’s aft of the beam, the Panda needs more wind to perform in any significant sea state. The more wind, the more the 38 likes it. The boat has a sea-kindly motion and modest weather helm. The bathtub cockpit is rather small. We feel tucked in and safe when passagemaking, but it seats only four to six people comfortably at anchor.

Our Panda 38 has proven to be a strong and solid sailboat and a comfortable home. Ta Shing built 29 of them during the early 1980s. They’re rare; expect asking prices between $100,000 and $125,000, depending on equipment and whether the abundant teak is in a gray “natural state” or in show condition.

For more information, visit the Baba-Panda-Tashiba owners website ( www.groups.yahoo.com/group/baba-l ).

Mary Brandon “Brandy” Fox and her husband, Mark, sailed their Panda 38, Restless, from Seattle to Patagonia via California, Mexico, Ecuador, Easter Island, and Chile.

LOA 37′ 7″ (11.45 m.) LWL 31′ 6″ (9.60 m.) Beam 12′ 0″ (3.66 m.) Draft 5′ 9″ (1.75 m.) Sail Area (100%) 704 sq. ft. (65.40 sq. m.) Ballast 6,600 lb. (2,993 kg.) Displacement 19,000 lb. (8,617 kg.) Ballast/D .35 D/L 271 SA/D 15.8 Water 140 gal. (531 l.) Fuel 75 gal. (284 l.) Engine Universal 40-hp. diesel Designer Gary Grant

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• Sailboat Guide

Panda 38 is a 40 ′ 7 ″ / 12.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Gary Grant and built by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. starting in 1982.

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)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

The Panda 38, introduced in 1982, comes from a whole family of Scandinavian styled cruisers developed by Bob Berg in the mid-1970s through to the mid-1980s which included the popular Baba 30 , 35 and 40 designs from Bob Perry . The boat was originally conceived as a smaller and lighter alternative to the Panda 40 (aka Baba 40). Like other boats from Berg, the Panda 38 was built by Ta Shing which has been generally considered the best boatyard in Taiwan, and the stunning interiors reflect this.

The Panda 38 has a reputation for sea-kindly motion, easy handling, and brisk performance. Since its introduction, only 29 have been built so they are quite rare to find on the market, and like all boats from the Bob Berg / Ta Shing duo, they have enjoyed an avid fan base.

Delving into the history of the Panda 38 we need to step back to 1976, the year that brought the world the Baba 30. The little boat was the brainchild of Berg who knitted together the design talents of Bob Perry with his new discovery, a small boatyard called Shing Sheng. The Baba 30 reinforced to the American public the kind of boat that could be built in Taiwan. It was a salty full keeled cruiser that packed an incredibly livable interior into 30 feet. Brimming with quality, the boat helped the yard (now operating out of purpose-built facilities under the name Ta Shing) in the direction of becoming Taiwan’s premier boatyard.

The Baba 30 led to the 35, and culminated in the fast and luxurious full-keeled Baba 40, a boat that had its lines derived from the now legendary Valiant 40. After a naming rights kerfuffle the Baba 40 became the Panda 40. Roughly the same time, in 1981, Bob Berg was looking for a smaller and lighter alternative. As Berg puts it:

“…the market demanded a smaller and lighter weight boat with a different stern than the Baba 40. I envisioned a stern similar to the   James W. Hart , a catboat that Bill Garden designed with an old-time extended counter stern. This type of stern allowed for a larger cockpit.”

For the design he commissioned Gary Grant who had prior experience with this style of boat having worked in the Perry design office. It was to be his first commission as an independent designer. He set about tweaking the design formula to maximize waterline length, reducing wetted surface area and reducing displacement.

The boat was of course built by Ta Shing and was introduced in the latter part of 1982. Though most of the records were shredded in 1992, Berg says the records indicate at least 29 boats were built. Most were sold into the Pacific North West. Interestingly, the first Panda 38 off the production line was White Bear , Berg’s own boat, the name being the literal Chinese translation of Panda Bear.

Configuration & Layout

The Panda 38 is a Scandinavian style cruiser like Berg’s previous boats, there’s a cutter rig (though many owners like to sail their boat as sloops with a removable inner stay), a three foot bowsprit, and a flat bottomed full keel. And like the prior boats that were designed by Perry (Baba 30, 35, 40) , Grant follows the same formula by cutting away the keel’s forefoot and firming up the turn of the bilge to reduce drag. The hull’s canoe underbody remains flat well aft to improve downwind performance. To make the boat easy to short hand, Grant reduced the sail area which led to a significant reduction in displacement. The Panda 38 weighs in at a full 10,000 lbs less than the Panda 40.

Visually, perhaps the most striking difference from prior boats has been the departure from the canoe stern in favor of a transom. Berg says “ I decided to come out with a boat with a different stern design because I felt that not every sailor wanted a double-ender “. Regardless, the transom usefully increases the usable deck space and aids the waterline length slightly.

The bathtub-like cockpit is suitably small for bluewater passage-making, but seats only four to six people comfortably at anchor.

Below deck, some of the true quality of the boat comes to light. The sheer quantity and quality of the teak joinery work is striking and utilization of space is impeccable. Berg was well known to work over every fine detail at the Ta Shing factory, looking for clever ways to use every nook and cranny.

There’s a huge well designed galley with generous dry storage areas. The boats came with the option of the galley port or starboard. With the port located galley, to starboard was placed the navigation station with the navigator’s seat formed by part of the seagoing quarter berth which runs further aft. In the starboard located galley, to port was placed a generous wet-locker space with a reverse facing navigation station further forward utilizing the port settee as a seat.

The sole below the companionway is sensibly made from teak grating to allow drainage while changing out of wet weather gear. Access to the engine behind the companionway stairs is excellent.

In the main salon are settee berths port and starboard, there’s plenty of space for living and entertaining around a U-shaped dinette seating four in comfort. Above is an elegant teak butterfly hatch offering good ventilation. Further forward to starboard is the head with separate shower. At the very front, most boats have a stateroom consisting of a queen sized berth though a few boats were optionally fitted with V-berths.

Construction

The Panda 38’s hull is constructed in hand laid fiberglass, while the decks share similar treatment with a coring of end grain balsa broken into two inch squares with resin barriers to limit potential for rot damage from leaks. Ballast consists of 6,600 pounds of iron cast in a single piece and sealed and glassed over.

The bulkheads consist of vertical teak staving, while overhead, between the laminated beams are removable sheet laminate or spruce staving. In efforts to reduce condensation, the hull’s interior is lined with polyurethane foam in the living areas.

The Panda 38 is a good performer under sail, she is sea-kindly and is known to excel to weather regardless of light air. In fact owners report 150 mile days with only ten knots of wind in a close reach, more wind is required when downwind in any significant sea state. We hear the overall boat speed of the Panda 38 is close to that of the impressive Baba 40.

In terms of balance, the boat exhibits a slight weather helm with a particularly good rudder response (aiding close quarter manoeuvring).

Buyers Notes

Overall the Panda 38 has proven to be strong and solid. Other than the original v-drive transmission leaking often, few weaknesses have been identified through the years.

It’s recommended prospective buyers contact the active community of owners on the Baba/Panda/Tashiba Yahoo Group for further research. They’re rare to find on the market and as of 2010 given the few boats that have been listed, it is estimated the asking price for Panda 38s is in the range of $100k – $160k USD.

Links, References and Further Reading

» Baba, Panda, Tashiba sailboat Yahoo Group , information and owner discussions. » Sea Magazine, Mar 1984 (p52-p55), Panda 38 Sea Trial by Bob Vollmer » Cruising World Magazine, Mar 2004, Panda 38: Passagemaking Princess by Mary Brandon Fox

For their assistance in the research of this article, thanks goes out to Bob Berg, Tim Ellis (who managed boat production at Ta Shing) as well as owners from the Baba, Panda, Tashiba group, particularly Michael McConnell, Bruce Pappas, and Hal & Patsy Cook.

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1984 Ta Shing Yachts Panda 38 Cutter

• Miami, FL, US

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This is a MUST SEE! "Mojo" has a very roomy and well-planned interior layout that has it all: U-shaped dinette, separate shower stall, and large U-shaped galley. She has been lovingly cared for by her knowledgeable owners and is ready to go anywhere now! **With ONLY 1368 hours on a recent Yanmar, bimini and dodger, recent SS fuel tank, inverter and charger. NEW bottom in 2002 with a blister-free guarantee, this very fine example of the hard-to-find Panda 38 represents a fantastic vessel at a great price. LOADED WITH: Raymarine E80 chartplotter, radar, wind generator, autopilot, Xantrax inverter, and 16,000 BTU air conditioning!

The Panda 38 is one of the best Blue Water designs in its size. The constuction is all hand laminated FRP with 24oz. woven roving. The Yanmar diesel was installed in 2000, and currently has 1368 hours. The bright work and teak decks show the care and character built into all Panda's setting them apart from the rest. There is a large attractive Owners Cabin forward along with a generous Head and Shower. The Salon is Midship with plenty of room to stretch out or entertain.The Galley is oversized and U-shaped with plenty of counter top and storage space.The woodwork below is in beautiful condition and the Bomar hatches and 12 opening Port windows insure plenty of light and ventilation.

Specifications

Descriptions, basic information, dimensions & weight, tank capacities.

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The Panda 38 has a warm and inviting interior with superior joinery and detail few boats come close to. Forward is the main berth that is extremely spacious and comfortable. The new mattress forward is custom made with a split in the middle from front to rear so the mattress can "hinge up" to gain access to the spacious storage beneath. Because the whole boat is insulated, there is no sweat and no clammy feeling. There are hanging lockers and a settee ajacent to the bunk for easy dressing and additional storage below. Aft of the forward cabin are hanging lockers to port and the head with separete shower to starboard. There is plenty of cupboard space for towels and toiletries. The separate shower stall with a moulded-in seat makes showering on board inviting along with the hot water system. The main saloon is spacious, comfy and well lit with 6 opening ports and 2 Bomar hatches above. The dinette table to starboard is handcrafted with the trademark Ta Shing "Starburst" and hanging above the table is a kerosene lamp for evening ambiance and warmth. There is a settee to port which pulls out to make a double and has storage both behind and below to port and starboard. All the woodwork is solid teak, not veneer. The louvered cupboards are plentiful along both the port and starboard sides. The main saloon and entire boat is heated by a Dickinson Antarctic diesel heater that is vented with a separate air intake resulting in quiet, fumeless and efficient warmth.  All the floor boards lift up to gain access to fuel tanks, wiring and plumbing. Aft to port is an efficent U-shaped galley with lots of storage and workspace. It is convenient to the cockpit and the dining table. There is a gimballed two-burner stove and oven, dual deep S/S sinks with a fresh water pump and new Grohe chrome faucet. The efficient Adler Barbour 12 volt fridge-freezer has top doors for convenience.Two sets of of four drawers are vertically placed under the work surface. Twin doors provide access for a gabage can under the sinks along with a small swing-out bin for soap cleansers and sponges. There are twin matching teak sink covers which double the counter space and create uniform teak counters. fans are conveniently located to provide ventilation as well as two opening ports. Aft to starboard is the nav station, which has plenty of space for all the instrumentation and charts.

Autohelm 6000 Auto Pilot E-80 Ray Marine Chart Plotter Autohelm Tri-data(speed,depth,log) Autohelm Wind Inst. Furuno Radar Trimble NavTrac GPS Furuno SSB FS1501 Icom IC-M502 VHF Radio w/ RAM mic Lo-Kata Watchman Tri-color/anchor light at mast head

Xantrax 1750 Inverter

Phase Three PT-25 charger

Red Baron wind generator

High output alternator w/smart regulator

**water and fuel plumbed for generator installation.

The gelcoat on the hull below the waterline was taken down and barrier coated with vinyl esther resin with a no-blister guarantee in 2002. 16,000 BTU Mermaid air conditioner Dickinson Antarctic Diesel heater 12 opening Bronze ports Bowmar hatches replacing original butterfly hatches Hydraulic backstay adjuster Full batten UK Mainsail (New 2011) Roller furling Genoa (Sunbrella cover re-stiched 2012) Stay sail Asymetrical spinnaker Simpson-Lawrence Anchor Windlass 2- 48CST Lewmar self-tailing Primary Winches 2- 30CST Staysail self-tailing Sheet Winches 40 CST Lewmar self-tailing Main sheet Winch 30CST self-tailing Main Halyard Winch 40CST Jib Halyard self-tailing Winch 16CST Stay sail Halyard Winch 16CST Reefing Winch Purewater water maker (Pickled)

Salt water deck washdown system w/new pump New chain plates (2011)

**Givens 6-man life raft (repacked 2007 w/new canister) New SS fuel tanks (55 gal capacity)

Construction

Per original PANDA 38 General Specifications:

• Hull: Hand-laminated of solid fiberglass w/ polyurethane foam insulation added to all living areas & fiber-glassed in. Teak rub-strake on hull w/ bronze wear-strip.
• Deck: Hand-laminated of cored sandwich construction utilizing end-grain balsa for stiffening, insulation & reduced weight.
• Ballast: One-piece cast iron bedded in heavy keel cavity & fiber-glassed over.
• Decks: Teak side-decks bedded in Thiokol; housetop w/ molded-in non-skid pattern in contrasting color.
• Hull Fittings: Bronze thru-hull fittings w/ bronze lever-action ball-valves.
• New chain-plates of stainless steel. Chain-plates & thru-hulls bonded to the yacht's bonding system.
• All deck hardware through-bolted w/ stainless steel backing plates.
• Spars & standing rigging: Manufactured in USA to designer's specifications.
• Ports: Twelve bronze opening ports designed to self-drain Hatches: Teak-framed "house" for companionway slider; large teak-framed hatch over forward cabin; solid teak double-opening butterfly hatch over main salon.
• Tanks: (2) aluminum fresh water tanks, approximately 140 gallon capacity; (1) new Stainless Steel fuel tank - approximately 55 gallon capacity; (1) fiberglass holding tank, approximately 25 gallons.

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PANDA 38 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of PANDA 38. Built by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. and designed by Gary Grant, the boat was first built in 1982. It has a hull type of Long Keel and LOA is 11.45. Its sail area/displacement ratio 16.20. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Universal, runs on Diesel.

PANDA 38 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about PANDA 38 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the panda 38.

PANDA 38 was designed by Gary Grant.

Who builds PANDA 38?

PANDA 38 is built by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd..

When was PANDA 38 first built?

PANDA 38 was first built in 1982.

How long is PANDA 38?

PANDA 38 is 9.6 m in length.

What is mast height on PANDA 38?

PANDA 38 has a mast height of 12.04 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

The Panda 38 is a 37.58ft cutter designed by Gary Grant/R. Perry and built in fiberglass by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. since 1982.

30 units have been built..

The Panda 38 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat. The fuel capacity is average. There is a good water supply range.

Panda 38 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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1984 Ta Shing Panda 38

Bellingham, WA Status: Sold

Description

• Hull Material Fiberglass
• L.O.A. 38 ft
• Draft 5.75 ft
• Weight 19,000 lb Dry Load

Engines x 1

• Make Westerbeke
• Fuel Diesel
• Fuel Capacity 70 gallons
• Water Capacity 140 gallons

Accommodations

The Panda 38, built by Ta Shing, was developed by Bob Berg and Gary Grant as a shorter and lighter version of the Panda 40 with a different transom.  This particular 38 is a South Pacific Vet and is ready to cruise again. She’s been extremely well maintained and constantly upgraded. 

A July 208 Survey is available!

Additional Details

Stepping aboard the Panda 38 you'll be in awe of her gorgeous teak interior. Entering the boat you'll find a U galley to port with a quarter berth and traditional forward facing navigation station to starboard. 

There is a straight settee to port with a spacious and comfortable dinette to starboard. The head compartment is forward to starboard and the master cabin is forward.

Ventilation is provided from her numerous opening ports and butterfly hatch.

• Dickenson Cabin Heater

DECK / HULL / MECHANICAL

• Lewmar Electric Anchor Windlass
• 45# Lewmar Plow Type Anchor w/ 300' 3/8" HT Chain
• 44# Bruce Anchor w/ 50' 3/8" BBB Chain & 200' Rode
• Cockpit Dodger and Bimini Top
• Cockpit Enclosure by Iverson's Designs
• Stainless Steel Boarding Ladder
• Stainless Steel Arch
• Stainless Steel Dinghy Davits of Stern
• Achilles 10' RIB
• Spectra Water Maker
• 2ea 20# LPG Tanks
• PSS Dripless Shaft Seal

SAILS & RIGGING

• Aluminum Keel Stepped Mast
• S.S Wire Rigging w/ StaLok Fittings
• Running Rigging Replaced in 2015 - Samson
• Chain Plates Replaced in 2015
• ProFurl Headsail Roller Furling w/ UV Cover
• Schaefer Staysail Roller Furling w/ UV Coved- 2015
• Hasse Staysail - 2015
• Hasse #2 Furling Genoa - Good Condition
• Hasse Battened Mainsail - Good Condition
• Cruising Spinnaker
• 2 Lewmar 48 Primaries
• 1 Lewmar 40 Mainsheet Winch
• 2 Lewmar 30 Secondaries
• 1 Lewmar 16 Reefing Winch
• Halyard Winches - 1 Lewmar 40 and 1 Lewmar 30
• 2 Reef Points
• Boom Gallows
• Mainsail Covers

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION

• Furuno RD33 Multi GPS Display at Helm
• Furuno NavNet TZ Touch System Radar
• Simrad AP 21 Autopilot
• Data Marine Depth Sounder
• Furuno Depth Sounder
• Furuno FI-50 Wind Speed & Direction
• Icom MA500TR AIS Transponder
• Icom IC-M504 VHF w/ DSC
• Icom IC-M802 SSB w/ Tuner & Insulated Backstay
• Magnum MS2812 2800 Watt Inverter / Charger
• 30 Amp Shore Power Service
• 8ea 6V Golf Cart AGM Batteries
• Blue Sky Solar Charge Controller
• 2 Kyocera Solar Panels 140W Each
• Eclectic Energy D400 Wind Generator

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Bluewater Sailboat – Panda 38

The Bluewater Sailboat Panda 38, which debuted in 1982, is one of a family of Scandinavian-styled cruisers developed by Bob Berg from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, which also featured Bob Perry’s successful Baba 30, 35, and 40 designs. The sailboat was designed to be a smaller and lighter alternative to the Panda 40. (aka Baba 40). The Panda 38, like other Berg boats, was built by Ta Shing, which is widely regarded as Taiwan’s premier boatyard, and the exquisite interiors reflect this.

The Panda 38 is known for its sea-friendly action, smooth handling, and quick performance. Only 29 have been produced since their launch, making them relatively uncommon to locate on the market, and they, like all boats from the Bob Berg / Ta Shing combo, have a devoted following.

• LOA: 37′ 7″ (excluding bowsprit)
• LWL: 31′ 6″
• Beam: 12′ 0″
• Draft: 5′ 9″
• Bridge Clearance: 49′ 6″
• Displacement: 19,000 lbs.
• Ballast: 6,600 lbs.
• Sail Area: 704 sq. ft.
• Engine: Universal M40 32hp diesel / Universal M50
• Water: 140 US Gal.
• Fuel: 75 US Gal.
• Year Introduced: 1982
• Designer: Gary Grant
• Developer: Bob Berg
• Builder: Ta Shing, Taiwa

To understand the history of the Panda 38, we must first go back to 1976, the year the Baba 30 was introduced to the world. Berg created the small boat by combining the design talents of Bob Perry with his new discovery, a small boatyard called Shing Sheng. The Baba 30 demonstrated to the American public the type of boat that Taiwan could build. It was a salty full-keeled cruiser with a surprisingly habitable interior in 30 feet. The boat, brimming with excellence, aided the yard (now operating out of purpose-built facilities under the name Ta Shing) in its quest to become Taiwan’s finest boatyard.

The Baba 30 led to the 35, which led to the speedy and luxury full-keeled Baba 40, whose lines were inspired by the now-legendary Valiant 40. Following a naming rights conflict, the Baba 40 was renamed the Panda 40. Bob Berg was seeking for a smaller and lighter alternative at the same time, in 1981. Berg puts it thus way:

“…the market wanted a lighter, smaller boat with a different stern than the Baba 40. I envisioned a stern comparable to the James W. Hart, a catboat designed by Bill Garden with an old-fashioned extended counter stern. This stern design allowed for a larger cockpit.”

He commissioned Gary Grant for the design, who had previously worked in the Perry design studio and had prior experience with this sort of boat. It would be his first commission as a freelance designer. He began tinkering with the design formula in order to increase waterline length, reduce wetted surface area, and reduce displacement.

Ta Shing, of course, created the boat, which debuted in the later part of 1982. Despite the fact that most of the paperwork were shredded in 1992, Berg claims that at least 29 boats were completed. The majority were shipped to the Pacific Northwest. White Bear, Berg’s own boat, was the first Panda 38 to leave the factory, the name being the direct Chinese translation of Panda Bear.

The hull of the Bluewater Sailboat Panda 38 is hand-laid fiberglass, while the decks are coring of end grain balsa cut into two-inch squares with resin barriers to prevent the potential for rot damage from leaks. Ballast is made of 6,600 pounds of cast iron that have been sealed and glassed over.

Vertical teak staving makes up the bulkheads, while detachable sheet laminate or spruce staving is used between the laminated beams overhead. The interior of the hull is lined with polyurethane foam in the living sections to reduce moisture.

Performance

The Panda 38 is a good performer under sail; she is sea-friendly Bluewater Sailboat and is reputed to excel in light air. Owners have reported 150-mile days with only ten knots of wind in close reach; however, more wind is required going downwind in any major sea state. The Panda 38’s total boat speed is said to be comparable to the remarkable Baba 40.

The boat has a slight weather helm with a very good rudder reaction in terms of balancing (aiding close-quarter maneuvering).

Quick Notes 

Overall, the Bluewater Panda 38 has proven to be durable and reliable. Aside from the original v-drive transmission leaking often, a few flaws have been uncovered over the years.

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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The adventures of Lance & Amy aboard their 38 foot sailboat

1984 ta shing panda 38.

S/V Lorien is a Taiwanese built, Gary Grant designed (with some credit due to Robert Perry) cutter rigged masthead sloop constructed by the renowned Ta Shing boat yard in Taiwan. Although she's as old as we are, her expert craftsmanship and sturdy thoughtful design have stood the test of time. Her bones are solid, and mostly original over the years, her various systems have been replaced and/or upgraded. She is a true passage-making machine with many comforts of home built in. 

Lorien is no stranger to the open ocean, in fact she has more experience in open waters than Amy and I combined. Lorien has already been across the Pacific Ocean (and back) under the care of previous owners. 

We have been busy making Lorien even better over the last few years, adding our own touch to what was already a fine vessel when we bought her.

Quick Specs:

Length overall: 43'

Length on deck: 38'

Length at waterline: 31.5'

Draft: 6'

Beam: 12'

Displacement (dry): 19,000 lbs

Ballast: 6,600 lbs

Diesel: 75 gal (about 700-1,000 NM range)

Water: 140 gal (plus a watermaker!)

SOLD !! — 38′ Ta Shing “Panda” 1984 – Excellent ! – $149,500

One of just twenty-nine ‘Panda’ hulls completed in the famed Ta Shing yard, the inventory onboard “Restless” is very extensive and complete for your offshore sailing adventures to come. The boat has been exceptionally well maintained over the years, and now she’s fully ready to go ‘round again.  

We installed a brand new Beta 38 diesel this past August and she’s performing just as expected, with good economical cruising speed of 6.5 kts. while under power during our recent trip from Anacortes to Seattle.

Her brightwork has been refinished in the warm weather over the past two summers and we have thoroughly checked and operated her systems top to bottom.  

Numerous small repairs have been completed to bring ‘Restless’ to her very best condition including new Lexan panels for the hard dodger windscreen. She’s been well cleaned including her myriad custom canvas covers. The comfortable foam Queen-sized mattress in the forward cabin was sent out for professional cleaning last week.

The hull was surveyed and zincs replaced while ‘Restless’ was hauled for engine installation in August. There were no structural concerns indicated and the bottom paint is in good shape. That report will be made available in the process of completing a sale, thus saving her new owners an additional haul out expense. 

Please take some time to review all of the details listed within.

If you’ve got that dream – we’ve got that boat.  

Call soon … David Wallace 206.225.3360

______________________________________________________________________________

Dimensions and Tankage:

LOA: 40’ 7”

LOD: 37’ 6”

LWL: 31’ 5”

Depth: 5’ 8”

Displacement: 19,000 lbs.

Ballast: 6,600 lbs.

Cabin Headroom: 6’ 4”

Fuel: 140 gal., stainless steel (centerline)

Water: 75 gal., aluminum (port and stbd. settee)

Waste: 20 gal., fiberglass (molded centerline)

 Photo Gallery: click to enlarge and scroll through the photo set

Stbd. Broadside

Port Broadside

Port Aft Qtr.

Stbd. Aft Qtr.

Bow pulpit 2

Portside Cockpit

Port coach deck

Foredeck and Cabin

Dorade Finish

Cannister Raft

Boom Crutch and Panels

New Coaming nonskid

Cockpit Stbd.

Cockpit Aft Stbd.

Cockpit Grating

Sheet and Deck WInches

Pedestal Table

New Beta Panel

Quarter Berth

38. Nav Station 1

Nav Station 2

110:12v Panel

Stbd. Salon Storage

Stbd. Settee 1

Stbd. Settee 2

Port Salon Storage

Port Settee 1

Port Settee 2

Vee Berth Storage

Companionway

Beta Front end

Chrg:Inverter

House Batteries

Port Cockpit Auxiliary Diesel

Port Cockpit Locker Storage

Racor Separaters

Aft Center Cockpit Locker

Stbd. Cockpit Locker

Winter Covers Stbd

Winter Covers Stb. Aft

Winter Covers Port Bow

Winter Covers Port

August 2022 haulout

Prop re-pitch August

Prop re-pitch August 2

August 2022 Beta

August 2022 Beta 2

Running rigging and spares

Sailboatdata

Sailboatdata 2

Sailboatdata.com

38′ SBData 1

38′ SBData 2

Specifications and Details

Electronics

Garmin GPSmap 3010C with Data cards:

2. Northwest Coast of US and Alaska

3. CAN., US., West Coast

4. California to Mexico

5. South Pacific

6. Australia and New Zealand

7. Timor and New Guinea

8. Indonesia

9. Hong Kong and S. China Sea

11. Miscellaneous local data cards

Blue Chart – CD Rom: ‘America’ and ‘Pacific v. 7’

Garmin GMR 20/40 radar

iCom M802 Single sideband radio

iCom M504 VHF radio

BGH-1000 Navigation instruments in cockpit; wind, speed, direction

Vesper Marine AIS “Watch Mate” 850

One 12v plug at Nav table, one in the cockpit, two in the salon

Pactor (SCS Comp) modem connections at chart table

Plug-in for mobile GPS handheld reader

NEW ‘Beta-38’ four cylinder marine diesel, Hi-output 70 amp. alternator, Hurth V-drive, September, 2022. 

Just 15 hours on new main engine; for mechanical sea trial and a run of 80 miles on delivery to Seattle

Beta “B” series instrument panel; tach. and temp. gauge, oil alarms, pre-heat, stop button and LCD display.

Main engine and Aux. diesel 4-D start battery  

3 – 4D Gel House and Inverter Batteries under the quarter berth and Nav. table

Auxilliary Diesel Kubota 2-400B, 8.5 hp/3600 continuous DC output, 5,015 hours

New Facet lift assist pump for Kubota aux. engine, October, 2022

BalMar Hi-output alternator for the KubotaRefrigeration pump runs off the Kubota 

Watermaker pump runs off the Kubota (575 hours on the pump)

Dual racor 75/500 water separators

30 amp shore power cord

Spare shore power pigtails 20-30 amp in stowage bag

2 – Deka ‘Dominator’ Gel 4-D house batteries

1 – Interstate Group 27 Beta 38 start battery, new October, 2022

1 – Group 27 Kubota start battery

Battery switching and combining panel at nav. table

BEP Marine Matrix battery monitor

BalMar ARS battery regulator (spare)

Magnum Energy ME Series battery charger 

2,000w output Magnum power inverter

Magnum Energy interface panel at navigation table

2 – Kyocera KC65T photovoltaic panels, output 65 watt max. x 2

Sails and Rigging

Selden aluminum mast, tall rig; 48’

All standing rigging replaced in 2005

Selden Furlex 300-S Genoa furling

Intermediate jib furling, with a spare ’emergency’ furler drum

Spinnaker pole on mast fitting

Mainsail; C. Hasse, Pt. Townsend

110% Genoa foresail; C. Hasse, Pt. Townsend

Intermediate staysail; C. Hasse, Pt. Townsend

Storn Tri-sail; C. Hasse, Pt. Townsend

Storm staysail; C. Hasse, Pt. Townsend

140% Asymmetrical spinnaker and chute: C. Hasse, Pt. Townsend

Spare mainsail (Neil Pryde, older)

All sails in bags, good condition

Force 10 two-burner propane stovetop and oven, butcher block top cover

Icebox with Technautic refrigeration plate system

Village Marine Tec 450 – Single membrane watermaker system powered by Kubota auxiliary pump

Seaward hot water tank; new element, pressure valve and thermostat, October, 2022

Dual stanless sink with new sprayer wand head

Two galley foot pumps; fresh water tank and watermaker test sample

Seven storage cabinets

Five storage drawers

Accommodations

Forward Cabin:

Queen berth, custom foam mattress and topper, 6’ 6” length, 6’ 3” wide at head

Mattress professionally cleaned, November, 2022

Large deck hatch, shaded plexiglass with screen

Five storage lockers

Cedar-lined hanging locker

Two 110v outlets

Two 12v. halogen reading lights in fwd. stateroom area

Aft quarter berth – 6’ 6” length, house batt. stowage and spares beneath, NO mattress pad.

Espar diesel heater (with spare filters, seals and hose)

Pioneer DVH-P5000MP – AM/FM/CD stereo

KLH bookshelf speakers in salon and forward stateroom

Phillips 17” LCD – HD monitor w/remote

Salon dining table has a fitted pad with vinyl cover

Salon butterfly hatch with screen 

Port settee slides out to 6’ single berth

Intertec 110v oil radiator heater

True North 110v space heater

Two Caframo 110v fans

Caframo 12v clip-on fan

Four Kona 12v clip-on circulating fans

Four storage cabinets

Two bookcases

Four storage drawers

Hanging locker

Overhead red/white 12v lighting

Four 12v LED reading lamps

Two oil lamps

Ship’s bell

Riccar portable vacuum with hose and attahcments

Head and Shower

Flo-jet freshwater pump w/inline filter

Raritan manual toilet

Adjustable height shower wand fixture with new sprayer head

Shower sump discharges via 12v. pump to overboard

Marble countertop

Freshwater foot pump

Mirrored medicine cabinet

Full length mirror

12v circulating fan

Four cabinets

Two drawers

Two 12v LED lights

Overhead 12v red/white light

Deck and Gear

Emergency tiller

Fore and aft 20’ black mooring lines

Four inflatable Poly-foam fenders with clean black nylon covers

Teak bow pulpit with dual anchor rollers, cleaned and sealed

R/G running lights rewired through bow pulpit rail

Teak decking cleaned, sealed, new Sika caulking as needed

Teak decking routed, caulked, refastened and sealed 2008

Custom made maroon canvas covers for all of the brightwork

All canvas covers recently cleaned, in very good shape

Selden mast with Spartite deck seal and mast steps 

Boom cover professionally cleaned, in very good shape

Aft cockpit bimini recently cleaned and in very good shape

Chromed Dorade vents newly powder coated inside for lasting appearance

Edson steering pedestal with canvas cover, recently cleaned

4” Ritchie helm compass

Folding mahogany table refinished and attached at helm pedestal

Folding seat cushions with backs and two ‘toss cushions’

Sailomat 601 self steering vane with multiple spare air vanes

Hard dodger with two solar panels and snapped storage bags within

NEW Lexan ‘polycarbonate 60’ inserts for the cockpit dodger, August, 2022

Simpson-Lawrence ‘SeaTiger 555’ manual dual capstan mechanical windlass

CQR Plow, 60 lb with 300’ all chain rode on bow pulpit roller

CQR Plow, 45 lb with 100’ chain and 300’ line in forepeak stowage

Fortress Danforth-style 12 lb. aluminum ‘lunch hook’ anchor on aft pulpit

300’ of 1″ braided line rode for spare anchor

150’ of spare 1” braided line in cockpit locker stowage

Anchoring bridle for foredeck mooring

Givens six-man canister inflatable liferaft in foredeck cradle

ACR Electronics EPIRB

Two 20lb aluminum propane tanks, regulator, gauge and solenoid shut-off in galley

Propane line and fitting for adding a barbecue on the aft rail

Novalift MOB hoisting davit at stern rail

Lifesling on aft rail with custom maroon canvas cover to match

Windlass handle, winch handles, fire extinguisher in cockpit locker

Small line, tie downs, miscellaneous small hardware in cockpit locker

Whale Gusher manual bilge pump in cockpit

Teak 8’ boat pole

Exterior cleaning supplies

An extensive and exceptionally well constructed inventory of custom made maroon canvas covers and fittings for all brightwork, helm pedestal, winches, sail bags, ditty bags, etc.  Black mesh screened enclosures for the cockpit.  All in good, serviceable condition, and some nearly new.

Miscellaneous and Spares

Operations manuals for everything, organized and stowed aboard

Beta Diesel engine operation and repair manuals

Kubota auxiliary diesel repair guide

Spare starter for Kubota, raw water impeller, belts, and fuel and oil filters

Spare motor mounts for Kubota

Spare BalMar rebuilt two-pulley alternator

Filters, gaskets, etc. as spare for Espar heater

Spare Sanden 505 refrigeration compressor pump

Fuses, connectors, wiring spares

Jabsco oil change hand pump

Water purifying solution, lamp oils

Racor separator filters and freshwater filters

Storage tote #1 – black rubbermaid; hardware, terminals and blocks for running rigging, stowed in salon hanging locker

Storage tote #2 – Rigging hardware, furler fittings, spare drum, freshwater pump, misc. hardware [beneath vee berth]

Storage tote #3 – Epoxy, fillers, lube sprays, degreasers, purifier solution for watermaker,. lubricants [beneath vee berth]

Storage tote #4 – Enamels paints, varnish, brushes, rollers, solvents, misc. supplies [beneath vee berth]

Storage tote #5 – Assorted sizes of teak and mahogany bungs, sanding discs and pads, sealer [beneath vee berth]

Storage tote #6 – fuel and oil filters for genset, new spare starter motor, Sanden refrigeration pump  

Qtr. berth storage – Water, fuel and misc. hose segments, stays and shrouds 3/8” and 1/4”

Engine Compartment storage – Oil, filters, coolant, ATF, various cleaning supplies

Vee berth storage – large Rubbermaid tote for spare canvas, mesh duffle bag with fitted mesh cockpit enclosure pieces, engine belts for Kubota auxilliary engine.

Additional Custom Canvas (not shown in photos)

Boom crutch cover

Cover for Lifesling rail mounted overboard toss ring’

Maroon canvas and black mesh cockpit curtains

Foresail deck stowage bag for forestay

Three canvas stowage bags for loose canvas and miscellaneous

Windlass cover

Bimini cover, for use when the frame is folded up

Sail stowage bags, labeled, by Hasse

Mast partners trim ring

Spare sail cloth, canvas, black mesh, rubber shelf liner, ‘diamond’ cockpit coaming nonskid

All custom canvas was meticulously designed and fabricated by former owners!

  ~ ~ Information about “Restless” from her Former Owners ~ ~

The following article was authored by “Restless” former owner Mary Brandon Fox, March 4, 2010, as it appeared in Cruising World Magazine, and is reprinted here with her permission . Reprinted from “Classic Plastic”, in the February, 2010 issue .

Panda 38′

“Teak and bronze finery belie the Panda 38’s solid cruising capabilities.”

The Panda 38 is built like a piece of fine furniture, and the boat’s sea-kindly motion will take care of you in a blow offshore.

The respected Ta Shing Yard in Taiwan built the Panda 38 in the 1980s for Bob Berg and the Quicksilver Corporation. It was designed to be a lighter, faster, and smaller sibling to the Panda 40 while retaining the solid offshore capability for which Berg’s boats were known.

Designer Gary Grant gave the Panda 38 traditional lines that are accentuated by generous applications of teak used on the wide caprail, bronze-capped rubrail, grabrails, and cockpit coaming. Most of the boats were cutter rigged as a factory option and were fitted with a generous bowsprit. A vented teak platform attached to the bowsprit accommodates dual bronze anchor rollers.

Ta Shing’s interior teak joinery and craftsmanship is legendary. Aboard our Panda 38, Restless, we feel as though we live in a fine piece of furniture. The bulkheads are vertical teak staving; the overhead, between the laminated beams, is made of removable panels of laminate or spruce staving; locker doors are louvered teak. A teak grate at the foot of the companionway drains through a pan into the bilge.

The roomy and seaworthy U-shaped galley is to port of the companionway. On the starboard side, the forward-facing navigation station has adequate room for instrumentation and ample space in which to work. In some boats, the layout of galley and nav station was reversed.

The main saloon provides a generous area for living and entertaining, with a settee/sea berth to port and, to starboard, a U-shaped dinette that seats four comfortably. The master stateroom, in the bow, has a king-size V-berth. Aft of it, on the starboard side, the head has a marble countertop and a separate shower. Aft of the navigation station is a quarter berth.

Twelve old-school bronze opening ports, four cowl vents on teak dorade boxes, a forward-opening teak hatch in the V-berth, and an elegant teak butterfly hatch over the main cabin provide excellent airflow throughout the interior

While the standard engine was the Universal 40-hp. diesel, some boats, including ours, have a Universal 50. The V-drive transmission leaks notoriously and has been replaced on many boats. Access to the engine area under the cockpit is outstanding.

Generous tankage permits extended cruising: A black-iron tank under the saloon sole carries 75 gallons of diesel, and two stainless-steel tanks under the settees hold 140 gallons of water between them.

The Panda 38’s teak decks are laid on top of a fiberglass sandwich. When we removed hardware to recaulk the deck, we found that the deck core is made of individual 2-inch balsa squares with resin barriers between them, which limits core damage when a leak occurs.

A moderate performer under sail, the P38 goes to weather pretty well even in light air. The boat will turn in 150 miles in 24 hours with 10 knots or more forward of the beam, but if it’s aft of the beam, the Panda needs more wind to perform in any significant sea state. The more wind, the more the 38 likes it. The boat has a sea-kindly motion and modest weather helm. The bathtub cockpit is rather small. We feel tucked in and safe when passage-making, but it seats only four to six people comfortably at anchor.

Our Panda 38 has proven to be a strong and solid sailboat and a comfortable home. Ta Shing built 29 of them during the early 1980s. They’re rare; expect asking prices between $100,000 and $125,000, depending on equipment and whether the abundant teak is in a gray “natural state” or in show condition.

For more information, visit the Baba-Panda-Tashiba owners website ( www.groups.yahoo.com/group/baba-l ).

Mary Brandon “Brandy” Fox and her husband, Mark, sailed their Panda 38, “Restless”, from Seattle to Patagonia via California, Mexico, Ecuador, Easter Island, and Chile.

_______________________________________________________________________________

~ ~ Historical and Performance Notes; Authored by the Staff of BluewaterBoats.org ~ ~

[ Original Publication: https://sailboat.guide/ta-shing/panda-38 ]

The Panda 38 is a 40′ 7″ monohull sailboat designed by Gary Grant and built by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. starting in 1982. 

The Panda 38, introduced in 1982, comes from a whole family of Scandinavian styled cruisers developed by Bob Berg in the mid-1970s through to the mid-1980s which included the popular Baba 30 , 35 and 40 designs from Bob Perry . The boat was originally conceived as a smaller and lighter alternative to the Panda 40 (aka Baba 40). Like other boats from Berg, the Panda 38 was built by Ta Shing which has been generally considered the best boatyard in Taiwan, and the stunning interiors reflect this.

The Panda 38 has a reputation for sea-kindly motion, easy handling, and brisk performance. Since its introduction, only 29 have been built so they are quite rare to find on the market, and like all boats from the Bob Berg / Ta Shing duo, they have enjoyed an avid fan base.

Delving into the history of the Panda 38 we need to step back to 1976, the year that brought the world the Baba 30. The little boat was the brainchild of Berg who knitted together the design talents of Bob Perry with his new discovery, a small boatyard called Shing Sheng. The Baba 30 reinforced to the American public the kind of boat that could be built in Taiwan. It was a salty full keeled cruiser that packed an incredibly livable interior into 30 feet. Brimming with quality, the boat helped the yard (now operating out of purpose-built facilities under the name Ta Shing) in the direction of becoming Taiwan’s premier boatyard.

The Baba 30 led to the 35, and culminated in the fast and luxurious full-keeled Baba 40, a boat that had its lines derived from the now legendary Valiant 40. After a naming rights kerfuffle the Baba 40 became the Panda 40. Roughly the same time, in 1981, Bob Berg was looking for a smaller and lighter alternative. As Berg puts it:

“… the market demanded a smaller and lighter weight boat with a different stern than the Baba 40. I envisioned a stern similar to the ‘James W. Hart’, a catboat that Bill Garden designed with an old-time extended counter stern. This type of stern allowed for a larger cockpit.”

For the design he commissioned Gary Grant who had prior experience with this style of boat having worked in the Perry design office. It was to be his first commission as an independent designer. He set about tweaking the design formula to maximize waterline length, reducing wetted surface area and reducing displacement.

The boat was of course built by Ta Shing and was introduced in the latter part of 1982. Though most of the records were shredded in 1992, Berg says the records indicate at least 29 boats were built. Most were sold into the Pacific North West. Interestingly, the first Panda 38 off the production line was White Bear, Berg’s own boat, the name being the literal Chinese translation of Panda Bear.

Configuration & Layout

The Panda 38 is a Scandinavian style cruiser like Berg’s previous boats, there’s a cutter rig (though many owners like to sail their boat as sloops with a removable inner stay), a three foot bowsprit, and a flat bottomed full keel. And like the prior boats that were designed by Perry (Baba 30, 35, 40) , Grant follows the same formula by cutting away the keel’s forefoot and firming up the turn of the bilge to reduce drag. The hull’s canoe underbody remains flat well aft to improve downwind performance. To make the boat easy to short hand, Grant reduced the sail area which led to a significant reduction in displacement. The Panda 38 weighs in at a full 10,000 lbs less than the Panda 40.

Visually, perhaps the most striking difference from prior boats has been the departure from the canoe stern in favor of a transom. Berg says “I decided to come out with a boat with a different stern design because I felt that not every sailor wanted a double-ender“. Regardless, the transom usefully increases the usable deck space and aids the waterline length slightly.

The bathtub-like cockpit is suitably small for bluewater passage-making, but seats only four to six people comfortably at anchor.

Below deck, some of the true quality of the boat comes to light. The sheer quantity and quality of the teak joinery work is striking and utilization of space is impeccable. Berg was well known to work over every fine detail at the Ta Shing factory, looking for clever ways to use every nook and cranny.

There’s a huge well designed galley with generous dry storage areas. 

The boats came with the option of the galley port or starboard. With the port located galley, to starboard was placed the navigation station with the navigator’s seat formed by part of the seagoing quarter berth which runs further aft. In the starboard located galley, to port was placed a generous wet-locker space with a reverse facing navigation station further forward utilizing the port settee as a seat.

The sole below the companionway is sensibly made from teak grating to allow drainage while changing out of wet weather gear. Access to the engine behind the companionway stairs is excellent.

In the main salon are settee berths port and starboard, there’s plenty of space for living and entertaining around a U-shaped dinette seating four in comfort. Above is an elegant teak butterfly hatch offering good ventilation. Further forward to starboard is the head with separate shower. At the very front, most boats have a stateroom consisting of a queen sized berth though a few boats were optionally fitted with V-berths.

Construction

The Panda 38’s hull is constructed in hand laid fiberglass, while the decks share similar treatment with a coring of end grain balsa broken into two inch squares with resin barriers to limit potential for rot damage from leaks. Ballast consists of 6,600 pounds of iron cast in a single piece and sealed and glassed over.

The bulkheads consist of vertical teak staving, while overhead, between the laminated beams are removable sheet laminate or spruce staving. In efforts to reduce condensation, the hull’s interior is lined with polyurethane foam in the living areas.

The Panda 38 is a good performer under sail, she is sea-kindly and is known to excel to weather regardless of light air. In fact owners report 150 mile days with only ten knots of wind in a close reach, more wind is required when downwind in any significant sea state. We hear the overall boat speed of the Panda 38 is close to that of the impressive Baba 40.

In terms of balance, the boat exhibits a slight weather helm with a particularly good rudder response (aiding close quarter maneuvering).

Links, References and Further Reading

» Baba, Panda, Tashiba sailboat Yahoo Group , information and owner discussions.

» Sea Magazine, Mar 1984 (p52-p55), Panda 38 Sea Trial by Bob Vollmer

» Cruising World Magazine, Mar 2004, Panda 38: Passagemaking Princess by Mary Brandon Fox

For their assistance in the research of this article, thanks goes out to Bob Berg, Tim Ellis (who managed boat production at Ta Shing) as well as owners from the Baba, Panda, Tashiba group, particularly Michael McConnell, Bruce Pappas, and Hal & Patsy Cook.

~ ~ About Our Pacific Marine Foundation ~ ~

We are selective about the vessels we accept into our program and we pursue a very rigorous process before they are listed for sale.  This begins when we first meet with our donors to discuss the condition and recent upkeep of their boat.  Once accepted, each new arrival undergoes a thorough examination, similar to what a marine surveyor will do.  This allows us to prioritize our attention to any deferred maintenance or repairs that may be needed. 

Over the years we have performed just about every kind of marine repair, from electrical and plumbing issues to all types of appearance enhancements and even rebuilding engines.  If something is not working right we fix it, simple as that.  We prove that her electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems are correct, safe and functioning properly.  By doing all of this we know our boats quite well from top to bottom and present them fairly and honestly to buyers. 

We encourage you to have our boats professionally surveyed as a part of your purchase process.  By the time we’ve finished and the boat is advertised, we’re confident you will receive a strong report from your surveyor.  

Thank you for considering PMF boats in your search !

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Review of Panda 38

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with a Universal M40 diesel engine at 32.0 hp (23 kW), which gives a max speed about 5.4 knots.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Panda 38 is 1.80, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.5 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Panda 38 is about 235 kg/cm, alternatively 1318 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 235 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1318 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

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1983 Ta Shing Yachts

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Strong, Capable Classic Passage Maker now available. Estate sale. Cameo was purchased new by by her knowledge owner who took extremely good care of her over the years. She was cruised in the local ocean and on longer trips in the Pacific ( NZ and back ). In recent years mostly used for local sailing around the Bay as well as being a ‘condo on the Bay’.  The Ta Shing built Panda 38 is legendary for her sailing abilities, beautiful wood work and easy handling. Cameo shows clean and in a condition indicating her care. A full survey including Mechanical is available upon request. For more information [email protected]   415-233-0801

37′ Ta Shing Yachts Sail

Yacht Specifications

Specifications

Accommodations

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Additional Information

• Diesel heater
• Self steering
• Full instrumentation
• Clean interior
• Fresh bottom paint 2020
• New batteries 2021
• New fridge 2021
• Canvas in very good condition

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

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Panda 38 General Specifications and Equipment

The specification and equipment listing is subject to change without notice.

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Good offshore boats for a cruising couple

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My wife and I are dreaming about living the cruising lifestyle. We're currently living in Colorado where the only sailing is on mountain lakes, but we both have had some coastal cruising experience, including some bareboat chartering. We're planning to move to the East coast in a couple of years, buy a boat and do a lot of coastal sailing in preparation for our big adventure. Our ultimate goal is to take 5 years or so and do a tradewind circumnavigation. I would like some advice about what would be an appropriate monohull for this kind of trip. Our desired characteristics: 1) Length 37-43 ft 2) Solid, bluewater capability (safety first) 3) Comfortable for a liveaboard couple, with occasional visitors 4) Cost: about $150K Some of the boats I am looking at are the Caliber 38/40, Island Packet 38, Passport 40, Slocum 43. The Caliber appears to be a well built boat, although hard to find in our price range. There seems to be a lot of used Island Packet 38's for sale from 125-175K. Anybody have opinions about Caliber versus Island Packet for doing a circumnav? Are these boats up to the task? Is it even reasonable to hope to find a solid bluewater boat for $150K? If we bought a 15 or 20 year old boat, how much should we expect to spend to get it fitted out for world cruising? Any opinions would be appreciated.  

A lot depends on what you expect for your money. If your budget is 150K, then realistically, you're looking at a boat you can buy for around 120K. You will need to do upgrades/refits on pretty much anything you buy. I'll let others chime in with specific boats you could consider beyond those you list.  

Like you I live in Colorado. I've always made sacrifices so others would be happy. I decided recently, to make me and my family happy. We bought a great boat, Rawson 30, in Mexico. She's an older lady, but extremely well built, and oufitted for a circumnav. I won't tell you what I paid for her, but it was a tremendous deal. We are going to have her interior refitted/upgraded. The surveyor told me that we bought the boat for about 20% of her value. I personally like the Island Packet. When you get into their over 40's, you have the added benefit of the center cockpit and rear master. Nice if you want to have a visiting crew. Have a great evening, Kevin [email protected]  

You might consider a 1980's vintage Pacific SeaCraft Crealock 37'. Good reputation and available in your price range. An example can be seen here 1986 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37 Cutter Rig Boat For Sale I have never seen this particular boat or know anything about it, or for that matter have an interest in it. I did have the opportunity to sale on a similar PSC vessel and was impressed with the overall construction and sailing characteristics. I lived in Colorado, like both of you, before moving to the VI. Good Luck  

FarCry said: You might consider a 1980's vintage Pacific SeaCraft Crealock 37'. Good reputation and available in your price range. An example can be seen here 1986 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37 Cutter Rig Boat For Sale .... Click to expand...

Did you get such a great deal because you bought in Mexico? I have heard that it's possible to find a good deal in Mexico, and was wondering if there's any truth to that. Did you have any worries about buying a boat outside the U.S.? did you bring it back to the U.S., or are you going to leave it in Mexico?  

SummitSailor said: Did you get such a great deal because you bought in Mexico? I have heard that it's possible to find a good deal in Mexico, and was wondering if there's any truth to that. Did you have any worries about buying a boat outside the U.S.? did you bring it back to the U.S., or are you going to leave it in Mexico? Click to expand...

I'm completely biased, but the Passport 40 is definitely a couple's bluewater cruiser. My wife and I constantly comment on that fact on ours. It's manageable for a family of 4, it's perfect for a couple with an occasional guest. You can singlehand her when necessary (when you lead the lines aft), she drives well in a heavy sea, and she's immensely comfortable below. She has a lot of beam for her size/age which makes for a nice cockpit and a roomy interior along with slightly lower heeling angles than similar boats. They were also built fairly well and most problem areas are well documented. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  

Considering your next boat I don't feel sorry for you but your Passport certainly is a lovely boat.  

On Caliber vs. Island Packet for a circumnav...I vote Caliber. It is designed for that and sails better...though the Packets are also appealing. Other boats you should consider that are within or can be close to your budget: Tayana 37 and 42 Older Valiant 40's Brewer42 Petersen 44 Hylas 44 Pearson 424/422  

Yes, you can definately get a good bluewater capable boat for $150k (or less in many instances). Here are a few that would be on my list of bluewater boats that are 35+ feet in length and less than $150k: Pacific Seacraft 37 Ta Shing Baba 40 Panda 38 Young Sun 35/43 Valiant 40 Cabo Rico 38 Hans Christian 38/43 Shanon 38 Many of the above also have smaller, more affordable sisterships available in the 30'-35' range.  

If you are going long-term cruising, you are going to run into some bad weather - given that, you need to be sure that you select a boat that you and your spouse can handle in a blow. If you wonder what can happen out there, go to the Seamanship thread, and read the thread Storm Tactics with a Heavy Boat , starting on page 7, comment #65 - it's about the gale that we just went through with Paloma (a Bristol 29.9) on an otherwise ideallic 250 mile hop from Port Isabell to Freeport. Think about that and picture you and your wife in that situation and then think about how large a boat you should really be looking at.  

1987 Gozzard Boat For Sale Similar to the Shannon have you considered a Gozzard 36? The above 1987 Gozzard is listed on Yachtworld for $129,000. It seems low but with your expected upgrades may fit your budget.  

Sapper's point is a very good one... outfitting a "factory" boat for bluewater is usually very expensive. Getting a boat that is pre-outfitted with most of that gear will save you a lot of money, time and effort.  

Wow -how many CO people are there on this forum? I'm the 3rd in this thread! We bought a Wauquiez Pretorien 35 in the Pacific Northwest. My husband moved onto her full time last summer and I have split my time between our boat and Colorado for the last almost-a-year and I move onto the boat this summer. We have spent the last year (and will spend the next two years...and forever) working on the boat and getting ourselves ready to cruise permanently. We leave in 2010 - although leaving may very well be cruising for a year full time in the PNW prior to heading south.  

Hans Christian 40' Check out the Hans Christian 40' that was listed on ebay today. Bank repo with a 79K buy now price. Looks pretty good, survey needed though.  

My opinions: The Valiant 40 is a very well made boat with the safety first aspect, but TIGHT!! YOu need to go on board one to understand. I put the Tayana 37 in the same "boat". Well made, proven circum boat... but tight and S-L-O-W! Caliber is well made and a nice boat. The layout either appeals or does not. I am not sure it would be the best choice for the second cabin part for occasional visitors. I have no experience with Slocums and am not a fan of IP's. The Passports and great and very liveable and so are the Tayana 42's. Both will fit in your price range, though the Tayana V-42 will push it if it is in good condition. I will warn you though that the T(V)-42 is not exactly a performance boat. She seems pretty happy under motor and sail about 6kts or a bit less. I sail circleds around her. Valiants are no different. The Pandas are really nice, but probably out of your price range. Not real performance oriented either and typically only one cabin. Not much larger than a T37 down below but incredible cabinetry and VERY comfortable. The Baba's may or may not have a second cabin and seem like decent boats though I have never personally sailed one. I have experience on or with most of the others above that I have commented on. We ended up picking a Tayana Vancouver 42 for mom and pop. The only comment I will say on the "safety first" part is that the captain is primarily what determines the safety, not the boat. But I am assuming since you are planning on sailing around the world, you know that?? - CD  

SummitSailor said: My wife and I are dreaming about living the cruising lifestyle. We're currently living in Colorado where the only sailing is on mountain lakes, but we both have had some coastal cruising experience, including some bareboat chartering. We're planning to move to the East coast in a couple of years, buy a boat and do a lot of coastal sailing in preparation for our big adventure. Our ultimate goal is to take 5 years or so and do a tradewind circumnavigation. I would like some advice about what would be an appropriate monohull for this kind of trip. Our desired characteristics: 1) Length 37-43 ft 2) Solid, bluewater capability (safety first) 3) Comfortable for a liveaboard couple, with occasional visitors 4) Cost: about $150K Some of the boats I am looking at are the Caliber 38/40, Island Packet 38, Passport 40, Slocum 43. The Caliber appears to be a well built boat, although hard to find in our price range. There seems to be a lot of used Island Packet 38's for sale from 125-175K. Anybody have opinions about Caliber versus Island Packet for doing a circumnav? Are these boats up to the task? Is it even reasonable to hope to find a solid bluewater boat for $150K? If we bought a 15 or 20 year old boat, how much should we expect to spend to get it fitted out for world cruising? Any opinions would be appreciated. Click to expand...

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Panda Boats for sale

1-15 of 224

1983 Panda / Baba 40

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Make Panda / Baba

Posted Over 1 Month

1983 Panda / Baba 40 1983 Panda / Baba 40 cutter rigged cruiser. This boat has been extensively cruised and well maintained. Service records available. This Panda is ready to cruise with minimal work needed. The boat has been upgraded extensively over the years. Beta diesel with less than 600 hours installed in 2013. Standing rigging less than 10 years old. Teak deak removed and fiberglass non skid put down.No leaks. Barrier coated bottom with new bottom paint 2015. New cushions in cabin. New Trojan T105 6 volt batteries in 2015, 8 total. Stainless steel rail life lines. New Lexan port glass with Teflon.

1985 Ta Shing Panda 38

Gloucester Point, Virginia

Make Ta Shing

Model Panda 38

Category Sailboats

1985 Ta Shing Panda 38 Two owner Cruiser. Maintained with care, Main and Jib sails NEW in 2008. Hull sandblasted below waterline in  2010, even the Interior cushions have been fully reupholstered with new foam. This beautiful Ta Shing is ready to sail, she's just waiting for her new owner!

Gloucester, Virginia

2024 Tiara Yachts 34LS

Request Price

Osage Beach, Missouri

Make Tiara Yachts

Category Yacht

Posted 2 Weeks Ago

All monthly payments are based off Tier one credit. Payments are based off of 20% down and includes documentation. Payments are subject to change due to length of term, credit score and cash down. OWN A FLAGSHIP. The Tiara 34LS is the highest standard in design and quality at an incredibly competitive price. The Tiara 34LS offers comfort, performance and ride quality unmatched in the category. With luxurious interior, well equipped including Sea Keeper, Mercury V10 400 with Joystick, and Fisher Panda diesel generator to make any day on the water comfortable and fun. Call today for pricing, in stock ready to deliver.

2023 Tiara Yachts 34LS

2024 Sanger Boats V237SX

Murray, Utah

Make Sanger Boats

Model V237SX

Category Ski/Wakeboard

BEAUTIFUL "PANDA" COLORWAY! FULLY OPTIONED!

2012 Monterey 41 Sports Yacht

Miami, Florida

Make Monterey

Model 41 Sports Yacht

Category Cruiser Boats

Immaculate 2012 Monterey Sport YACHT IPS 500 Volvo Penta ONLY 210 Hours on. Engines Diesel Completely Service DONE NOW AUGUST 2022 Brand New Seats New Botton Paint New underwater blue lights New batteries New bilge pump Complete Service done on generator Panda 180 hours New Garming Charter Navigation plotter \ fish finder New speakers New Canvas / front and back covers Completely new inside roof covers Toilets service 2022 AC service 2021 (3) Replace anchor switch’s Eletric grill 2 refrigerators 2 staterooms with bathrooms Lots of privacy Gorgeous boat, is must see, immaculate shape, we don’t used as much we want, $329,900

2008 Hunter 45 Deck Salon

Clearwater, Florida

Make Hunter

Model 45 Deck Salon

Category Sloop Sailboats

2008 Hunter 45 Deck Salon Fantastic Price For An Exceptional Boat! This Hunter 45 DS is in Fantastic Condition    Be Sure To Watch The Walk-Through Video!   Island Sister is a very well maintained, one owner version of one of Hunters most versatile offerings. Hunters are known for their luxurious interiors and easy to own exteriors.  She is very well equipped with twin helms, generator, two newer 16,000 BTU air conditioners, leather upholstery,  LED lighting and beautiful custom galley cabinetry.   Her owners have moved into their next boat, so Island Sister is seriously for sale.   Take a look at the full specs, watch the video, and come see her for yourself.  She is a clean and comfortable.     Highlights Include:   Yanmar 75 HP Diesel  ICW Friendly 61' Rig Fisher Panda 6KW Genset Two 16,000 BTU Air Conditioners (New 2016 and 2017) Full Raymarine Electronics,  E80 Plotter, Autopilot, Radar, 4X I70 Displays, Wind, Sirius Weather  Electric Secondary Winch Custom Overhead Galley Cabinetry Teak Overlay In Cockpit  Redundant Fresh and Salt Pressurized Water System Two Independent Sound Systems.  Bose Interior Sound with Subwoofer Electric Head

2008 Hunter 45 Deck Salon Fantastic Price For A Boat Of This Caliber!      Be Sure To Watch The Walk-Through Video!   Island Sister is a very well maintained, one owner version of one of Hunters most versatile offerings. Hunters are known for their luxurious interiors and easy to own exteriors.  She is very well equipped with twin helms, generator, two newer 16,000 BTU air conditioners, leather upholstery,  LED lighting and beautiful custom galley cabinetry.   Her owners have moved into their next boat, so Island Sister is seriously for sale.   Take a look at the full specs, watch the video, and come see her for yourself.  She is a clean and comfortable.  She won't last long.     Highlights Include:   ICW Friendly 61' Rig Yanmar 75 HP Diesel Fisher Panda 6KW Genset Two 16,000 BTU Air Conditioners (New 2016 and 2017) Full Raymarine Electronics,  E80 Plotter, Autopilot, Radar, 4X I70 Displays, Wind, Sirius Weather  Electric Secondary Winch Custom Overhead Galley Cabinetry Teak Overlay In Cockpit  Redundant Fresh and Salt Pressurized Water System Two Independent Sound Systems.  Bose Interior Sound with Subwoofer Electric Heads

2008 Hunter 45 Deck Salon Fantastic Price For An Exceptional Boat! This Three Stateroom Hunter 45 DS is in Fantastic Condition    Be Sure To Watch The Walk-Through Video!   Island Sister is a very well maintained, one owner version of one of Hunters most versatile offerings. Hunters are known for their luxurious interiors and easy to own exteriors.  She is very well equipped with twin helms, generator, two newer 16,000 BTU air conditioners, leather upholstery,  LED lighting and beautiful custom galley cabinetry.  With her three private staterooms and two heads, she is ideally suited for a cruising family or would also make an excellent charter platform.    Her owners have moved into their next boat, so Island Sister is seriously for sale.   Take a look at the full specs, watch the video, and come see her for yourself.  She is a clean and comfortable.  She won't last long.     Highlights Include:   Yanmar 75 HP Diesel  Fisher Panda 6KW Genset Two 16,000 BTU Air Conditioners (New 2016 and 2017) Full Raymarine Electronics,  E80 Plotter, Autopilot, Radar, 4X I70 Displays, Wind, Sirius Weather  Electric Secondary Winch Custom Overhead Galley Cabinetry Teak Overlay In Cockpit  Redundant Fresh and Salt Pressurized Water System Two Independent Sound Systems.  Bose Interior Sound with Subwoofer

2008 Grady-White Marlin 300

Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Make Grady-White

Model Marlin 300

Category Walkaround Boats

2008 Grady-White Marlin 300 This Grady White 30 Marlin has T-250 HP Yamahas, diesel Panda generator and A/C.  Options:  Diesel Panda Generator  Cabin Air Conditioning Side - Power Bow Thruster  GARMIN GPS 4208 ICOM VHF IC-M504

2014 Pursuit SC 365i Sport Coupe

Miami Beach, Florida

Make Pursuit

Model SC 365i Sport Coupe

2014 Pursuit SC 365i Sport Coupe  Twin Yamaha F350Generator PandaFull Electronics Package

2000 Grady-White Marlin 300

Riviera Beach, Florida

2000 Grady-White Marlin 300 This one owner boat has been well maintained and has been continually updated. The boat has a 4KW Fisher Panda Diesel Generator, Furuno Chart Plotter, Radar, Auto Pilot, VHF. Powered by twin Yamaha OX 66 Outboards with 2350 hours. Priced for quick sale at $39,995

1998 Farr 60 Pilot House

Marina Del Rey, California

Model 60 Pilot House

Category Pilothouse Boats

1998 Farr 60 Pilot House Blue Water PilotHouse Cruiser Built to the Highest Standards by Najad Marine, Sweden Designed by Bruce Farr design group Cutter Rig with Furlex Hydraulic Furlers Mainsail w Furlex Hydraulic Furler Hydraulic Lewmar Winches 2015 RF Headsail Winches can be controlled at Helm Updated Raymarine Electronics Yanmar 140hp Diesel with Recent Major Service Bow Thruster retractable Fisher Panda Generator Heat and Air Conditioning Additional Eberspacher Diesel Heater Washer / Dryer Watermaker 200gpd And Mor

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Iconic 'little blue boat' that calls Montrose Bay home up for sale after family makes tough decision

For almost 50 years a little blue boat has been moored on the River Derwent in Hobart's northern suburbs by the side of a busy highway.

It is known affectionately by many Tasmanians as "the little blue boat", and has floated alone next to the Brooker Highway at Montrose Bay over the decades.

Sea Breeze, its official name, was built by Robin Attrill in his Montrose backyard in the early 1970s.

His son Colin Attrill said the boat was launched at Macquarie Wharf in 1976.

"It's been on the mooring in Montrose Bay ever since, and that's why it's such an iconic little blue boat," he said.

Tasmanians curious about 'little blue boat'

The boat is an object of fascination for Brooker Highway motorists and foreshore walkers due to it seemingly never moving.

Colin Attrill said it was "absolutely amazing" the number of people who would stop and talk to him about the boat when he was launching the dinghy to go and check on it.

"The number of people that talk to me that are walking past and go 'that boat has been there forever' and 'it was there when I was going to school or every day when I've been driving to work'," he said.

"Some people say they've never seen it move. Well it used to move all the time.

"Of late it's slowed up, we're all busy and dad has slowed up. We lost mum and once that happened it impacted on family activities."

Tough decision to sell

Its owner is now 91 and the boat has not been sailed for about 10 years.

Colin Attrill said the family had recently made the tough decision to try to sell the boat.

"Dad isn't well and he's gotten old, which we all do, and the boat's got old," he said.

"Anyone who knows about a timber boat knows that they need maintenance."

Mr Attrill said the family used to put the boat on the slip at least once a year to clean and antifoul it, and do any repairs.

"But the past few years Dad has been unable to do anything, and the boat unfortunately has just sat on the mooring," he said.

He said the family decided it was time for the boat to have a new owner.

"Nobody is using it, it needs a new owner who will give it the time and get the enjoyment out of it that we had growing up," he said.

"It's a great boat, and there are many years left. Wooden boats just last."

'Next phase' for the boat

The Attrill family is full of passionate sailors and Robin's brother Peter represented Australia in sailing at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952 — Tasmania's fifth Olympian and the first to represent the state in sailing.

When Robin finished building the 25-foot river cruiser, known by the family as The Breeze, it was used for trips away around Hobart.

"We used to have family trips down the channel, down to Cygnet, down to Dover, and all places in between fishing and weekends away," he said.

"We also used to go to events in Hobart like the Hobart Regatta, the Sandy Bay Regatta. We'd be down the river at any chance, or up the river. She made it to New Norfolk a couple of times.

"The boat was all over the place, wherever we could."

Mr Attrill said it would be a sad day when the boat left Montrose Bay after almost 50 years.

"We will see where it goes and where it ends up and what's the next phase for the boat," he said.

Over the years its owner has been keeping a watchful eye on it just a matter of metres away, across the Brooker Highway from his Montrose home of more than 70 years.

"He's always been there. He'd open the blinds in the morning in the kitchen and look out the window and there's the boat," son Colin said.

"It's always been a part of his life."

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