Passport 40
Built 1980–1991 by Passport Yachts (Taiwan)
About the Passport 40
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1980–1991
- Builder
- Passport Yachts (Taiwan)
- Designer
- Robert Perry
- Length
- 39.42 ft
- Waterline
- 33.42 ft
- Beam
- 12.67 ft
- Draft
- 5.75 ft
- Displacement
- 22,771 lb
- Ballast
- 8,500 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water
- 130 gal
- Number built
- 148
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal cable · Edson
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
“Fuel Tank: 70 Gallons (264.98 Liters)” — broker listing (1985), yachtr.com · “fuel tank capacity of 265 L (70 US gal)” — search excerpt, sailcentral.comSources disagree: 70 gal (the sailboatdata spec database, copied by other spec sites, and a 1985 listing) vs 105 (Sailing Magazine, though its article text gives no tank figure, so it may come from a spec sidebar). Early boats had black-iron tanks, later aluminum, so capacity may vary by year. No builder or owners' association source was found.
-
Water 130 gal
“Fresh Water: 130 Gallons (492.1 Liters)” — broker listing (1985), yachtr.com · “a freshwater tank of 492 L (130 US gal)” — search excerpt, sailcentral.comA listing and a spec site agree, but neither is a builder source.
-
Holding unknown
“Holding Tank: 20 Gallons (75.71 Liters)” — broker listing (1985), yachtr.comOne listing only.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
No source mentions a bow thruster.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Nothing was found either way; our earlier figure of none has no source.
-
Steering pedestal cable · Edson
“The standard 36-inch Epson [sic] destroyer wheel seems a bit undersized” — review, sailingmagazine.net · “CLASSIC PEDESTAL STEERER/TAPERED ... 647ST-36-5 DISHED DESTROYER WHEEL ... CHAIN & WIRE ROPE KIT W/HARDWARE ... RADIAL D” — spec database, edsonmarine.comEdson's data sheet for the Passport 40 supplies the mechanism missing from our earlier figure: Classic pedestal, 36-inch destroyer wheel, chain-and-wire to a radial drive wheel. Sailing Magazine's Epson is a misprint for Edson (same 36-inch destroyer wheel).
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on fuel tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder; solid hull; iron ballast encapsulated. Standard draft 5.75 ft; a shoal keel about 6 in shallower was offered. Sloop standard, most boats fitted with a staysail stay. Original engine Perkins 4-108 (common with U-shaped settee), later Yanmar; sailboatdata also mentions a Mercedes 42 hp on later boats. Semi-custom interiors vary. A reverse-transom version became the Passport 41.
Engines fitted
-
Perkins 4-108 — diesel, single
standard
Original and most common engine per a model review and Beta Marine's repower notes; hp not stated in these sources.Sources: listingsport.com · betamarineusa.com
-
Yanmar — diesel, single
standard
Later boats (the L-settee interior version) came with Yanmars per the review; model not given. Some older boats have since been repowered with Yanmar 4JH-series engines (video/social listings, not verified).Sources: listingsport.com
-
Mercedes — diesel, single
factory option
Beta Marine says Mercedes (and Pathfinder) engines were also used in some Passport 40s; hp not stated.Sources: betamarineusa.com
-
Pathfinder — diesel, single
factory option
Named by Beta Marine as another engine used in some Passport 40s; no details.Sources: betamarineusa.com
-
Beta Marine Beta 43 / Beta 50 — diesel, single
common repower
Beta Marine calls the Beta 43 and Beta 50 the go-to replacements (2:1 gear, prop limited to 17-18 in).Sources: betamarineusa.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Known problems for this model
-
Teak side decks - fastener leaks deck
Most boats have thick teak side decks; the many fasteners can leak, though old Passport 40s rarely show delaminated subdecks. Early decks are plywood cored, later Airex foam.sailingmagazine.net
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Corroded chainplates rigging
A survey on an older boat found badly corroded chainplates; pull the deck covers, check the caulking and probe from below.sailingmagazine.net
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Black iron fuel tanks on early boats fuel
Early boats had black iron fuel tanks glassed over to limit external rust; later boats had aluminum tanks.sailingmagazine.net
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Large brightwork load other
Extensive exterior teak (caprail, handrails, eyebrows) takes substantial time to maintain.sailingmagazine.net
Engines & parts
Perkins 4.108 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Perkins 4-108”
Out of production but very well supported. Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD) sells complete aftermarket rebuild kits (pistons, liners, rings, bearings, gaskets, valves, guides, seals), heads, blocks, crankshafts, genuine Perkins camshafts, rebuilt injection pumps and injectors, Jabsco/Sherwood raw water pumps, heat exchangers, starters, alternators and elbows, plus rebuilt exchange engines. The Westerbeke 4-107/4-108 family and some industrial engines share the base design.
Parts sources: Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD), Foley Engines
Common problems (1)
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Rear main (crankshaft) seal leak engine
The original rope-type rear seal is notorious for leaking and often starts leaking again a few hundred hours after replacement; Foley sells a nylon/Teflon replacement seal meant to cure it, and owners check the crankshaft sealing surface for pitting.foleyengines.com · boatdesign.net · forums.sailinganarchy.com
Maker’s service schedule (13)
| Engine oil & filter change 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “4.107(M) and 4.108(M) Engines ... Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). Drain and renew lubricating oil” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Fuel filters & water separator 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). Renew final fuel filter element.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Air filter / intake silencer 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Clean air intake gauze.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Drive belts inspect / replace 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... * Check drive belt tension.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Valve clearance check / adjust 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours ... Check and adjust valve tip clearances.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Injector test / service 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours ... Service atomisers.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Transmission fluid change 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Change gearbox oil.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Clean water trap 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Clean water trap.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Check engine for oil and water leaks 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Check engine for leakage of oil and water.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Lubricate dynamo rear bush (where fitted) 4.108(M) marine | 150 hrs or 3 mo | “Every 150 hours or 3 months (whichever occurs first). ... Lubricate dynamo rear bush (where fitted).” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Check hoses and clips 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Check hoses and clips.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Drain and clean fuel tank 4.108(M) marine | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 400 hours or 12 months (whichever occurs first). ... Drain and clean fuel tank” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
| Examine and service starter motor, generator etc. 4.108(M) marine | 2,400 hrs | “Every 2,400 hours Arrange for examination and service of proprietary equipment, i.e. starter motor, generator, etc.” — manufacturer (1973), fujiyachts.net |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter later engines with spin-on filter |
Perkins 2654403 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 oil filter - OE Part No. 2654403 ... Fits 4.108 and 4.108M.” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter, Oil late type long 2654403, Length 130mm - 2654403” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Oil filter early engines with element-in-canister filter |
Perkins 26540154 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 Oil Filter - OE Part No. 26540154” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter, Oil early type 26540154, Length 122mm - 26540154” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter cartridge-type filter housing (most engines) |
Perkins 4326658 Replaces 26561117 Also: Delphi (CAV) 296 |
“A genuine Perkins 4.108 fuel filter - OE Part No. 4326658 ... supersedes ... 26561117.” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Fuel Filter (296) Was 26561117 Now 4326658” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter early engines with bowl-type filter housing |
Perkins 30242 | “A genuine Perkins 4.108 fuel filter element - OE Part Number 30242 ... fitted to early Perkins 4.108” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Filter element, Fuel old type 30242, Length 74mm small element - 30242” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Jabsco raw-water pump (3270, 3370-200 or 9970-200) |
Jabsco 1210-0001 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 9970-200 040 3/4" BSP Flange SK229 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Jabsco 9970-200 pump |
Jabsco SK229 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 9970-200 040 3/4" BSP Flange SK229 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Jabsco 3370-200 pump (obsolete) |
Jabsco SK33 | “4.107M / 4.108M / LL 3370-200 ... 9970-200 SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Steering
Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good
Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)
Common problems (3)
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Old or slack steering wire steering
Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.usna.edu · youtube.com
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Lubrication and fastener checks steering
Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.usna.edu
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Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.forums.sailboatowners.com
Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good
Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)
Model sources (6)
sailboatdata.com · sailingmagazine.net · listingsport.com · betamarineusa.com · yachtr.com · edsonmarine.com
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Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.