Tayana 37

Built 1976–? by Ta Yang Yacht Building Co. (Taiwan)

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About the Tayana 37

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Built: 1976–?
Builder: Ta Yang Yacht Building Co. (Taiwan)
Designer: Robert Perry
Waterline: 31 ft
Beam: 11.5 ft
Draft: 5.67 ft
Displacement: 22,500 lb
Ballast: 8,000 lb
Hull / keel: full keel
Rig: cutter
Propulsion: inboard
Fuel: 90 gal
Water: 100 gal
Water heater: AC · standard
Number built: 588
Stern thruster: not fitted
Steering: pedestal cable

Tank capacities — where the figures come from

Fuel 90 gal
“90 gal fuel tank, black iron” — brochure, tognews.com · “90 gallons fuel” — review, soundingsonline.com

The Ta Yang builder brochure (posted by the Tayana Owners Group) and Soundings magazine both give one 90-gal black-iron tank.
Water 100 gal
“100 gal water tank, stainless steel” — brochure, tognews.com · “100 gallons water” — review, soundingsonline.com

Builder brochure and Soundings agree.
Holding unknown
The builder brochure's standard-equipment list gives no holding-tank figure.
Water heater AC · standard
“Electrical system, AC, includes 110 volt 30 amp shore power plug, 110 volt outlets throughout, hot water heater. ... Hot” — brochure, tognews.com

Listed in the Cutter/Ketch/Pilot House standard equipment list of the later Ta Yang brochure (Cabrillo Yacht Sales stamp); capacity not given, only 110V heating mentioned. Earlier boats may differ.

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
The builder's brochure list of standard equipment has no thruster, but it isn't a full option list. One broker listing shows a 6 hp Side-Power bow thruster on a single boat.
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
Steering pedestal cable
“Pedestal steering with teak emergency tiller.” — brochure, tognews.com · “STEERING INSPECTION ... Steering cables properly tensioned ... No unusual pump noise. (if hydraulic)” — owner's manual, ftp.tognews.com

The builder brochure lists pedestal steering with an emergency tiller as standard. The owners' group copy of the Tayana 37 operation manual checks steering-cable tension and mentions a hydraulic alternative, so some boats (perhaps pilothouse versions) may have hydraulic. The pedestal maker isn't named; one listing cites Edson.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Sources disagree on length — left blank rather than guessed.

Perry double-ender with semi-custom interiors, so layouts vary. First 40 were sold as the Ta Chiao / Ta Yang 37. One of the most-built Taiwan cruisers (588 per sailboatdata).

Engines fitted

Perkins 4-108 — diesel, single standard
Practical Sailor names the Perkins 4-108 as one of three engines used; the Tayana owners' list archive calls it the predominant engine in Tayana 37s. Probably the main earlier-production engine; hp not stated in the sources read.

Sources: practical-sailor.com · ftp.tognews.com
Yanmar 3QM30 — diesel, single standard
Practical Sailor: the latest change (at time of the review) was to the Yanmar as standard propulsion. Owners' list also mentions 3QM30s.

Sources: practical-sailor.com · ftp.tognews.com
Volvo Penta MD17C — diesel, single factory option
Practical Sailor lists the Volvo MD17C as the third engine used in the Tayana 37.

Sources: practical-sailor.com

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

No generator in the brochure's standard equipment list.

Manuals and brochures online

Brochure Tayana 37 builder brochure (Ta Yang Yacht Building Co., later edition with Cabrillo Yacht Sales dealer stamp, scan) — tognews.com
Document Tayana 37 factory advertisement, Cruising World September 1984 (price and dealers) (1984) — ftp.tognews.com
Document Tayana Owners Group - Tayana 37 model documents folder (factory advertisement, Perry article, sail plan and other files) — ftp.tognews.com
Owner's manual Tayana 37 Operation & Maintenance Manual, part 3 (commissioning and inspection checklists; TOG copy) — ftp.tognews.com
Owner's manual Tayana 37 Operation & Maintenance Manual, part 1 (contents, sailing, systems; TOG copy) — ftp.tognews.com

Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.

Known problems for this model

Wet decks under teak deck
Owners name wet deck core (most boats have teak decks) and leaking ports among the biggest problems to survey for.
cruisersforum.com
Chainplates and knees rigging
Original chainplates and the knees they bolt to are a known inspection item on these older boats.
cruisersforum.com
Black iron fuel and water tanks fuel
Original tanks were black iron and rust out; many have already been replaced by previous owners.
cruisersforum.com
Rot in wooden bowsprit rigging
The wooden bowsprit can rot, and painted ones hide their condition; also check anchor locker, samson posts and propane locker.
cruisersforum.com
Encapsulated ferrous ballast hull
An owner reported steel ballast encapsulated in the keel that can swell from rust if water gets in; not confirmed by builder data.
cruisersforum.com

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)

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.

Volvo Penta MD11C/D / MD17C/D parts: limited

Factory optional engine — you entered “Volvo Penta MD17C”

Produced 1975–1984 and developed from the MD2B/MD3B, sharing many internals but with cylinder liners. European specialists (Poseidon Marine) sell overhaul kits, liners, piston rings, bearings, gaskets, water pump kits and fuel parts; genuine parts are listed by Volvo dealers. Some items, such as original injector fuel lines, are discontinued.

Parts sources: Poseidon Marine (MD11/MD17 parts), Power Products Systems (genuine Volvo Penta parts), US Boatworks (NLA Volvo parts)

Common problems (2)

Leaking injector lines with discontinued replacements fuel
Owners find the high-pressure lines from injection pump to injectors leaking and genuine replacements no longer available, forcing custom-made lines.
facebook.com
Saildrive parts hard to find running gear
MD11C engines paired with early saildrives have parts that are difficult to locate.
cruisersforum.com

Maker’s service schedule (9)

Engine oil & filter change	50 hrs	“skall oljan bytas första gången efter 20 driftstimmar och i fortsättningen var 50:e driftstimme” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Engine oil filter change	100 hrs or 1 yr	“Oljefiltret skall bytas första gången efter 20 driftstimmar under inkörningstiden och sedan vid vartannat oljebyte.” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Transmission fluid change Reverse-gear (non-saildrive) installations	200 hrs	“Oljebyte i backslag (var 200:e driftstimme)” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Valve clearance check / adjust	50 hrs	“ÅTGÄRDER VAR 50:e DRIFTSTIMME: ... Ventilspel. Kontroll och justering” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Air filter / intake silencer	100 hrs or 1 yr	“Luftfiltret bör demonteras och rengöras var 100:e driftstimme, eller en gång per säsong.” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Drive belts inspect / replace	100 hrs or 1 yr	“ÅTGÄRDER VAR 100:e DRIFTSTIMME ELLER MINST EN GÅNG PER SÄSONG: ... Kontroll och byte av kilrem för generator” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Raw-water pump impeller	100 hrs or 1 yr	“ÅTGÄRDER VAR 100:e DRIFTSTIMME ELLER MINST EN GÅNG PER SÄSONG: ... Kontroll av kylsystem (Kontroll och byte av pumphjul)” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Fuel filters & water separator	100 hrs or 1 yr	“Finfilterelementet i bränslefiltret skall bytas minst en gång per säsong.” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com
Injector test / service	3 yrs	“Vart tredje säsong bör insprutarna inlämnas till dieselverkstad för rengöring och kontroll” — manufacturer, albinmotor.com

Service part numbers (6)

Oil filter	Volvo Penta 22057107 Replaces 834337	“p.90 "MD5, MD11" block: Oil filter — 22057107” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta genuine oil filter to replace old model 834337 … MD11C/D … MD17C/D” — dealer, foxschandlery.com
Fuel filter spin-on filter	Volvo Penta 21492771 Replaces 829913, 3825133	“p.90 "MD5, MD11" block: Fuel filter, spin-on — 21492771” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Brandstoffilter Volvo Penta 21492771 (vervangt 829913) … MD11,MD11D,MD17,MD17D” — dealer, bakker-ijlst.nl
Raw-water impeller MD11C/D with sea-water pump cover plate held by 4 screws	Volvo Penta 21951342 Replaces 3586496, 875583 Also: Johnson 09-808B	“p.90 "MD5, MD11" block: Impeller kit (cover plate with 4 screws) — 21951342” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Impeller kit for Volvo Penta RO: 21951342 3586496 875583 MD5 MD6 MD7 MD11 09-808B” — dealer, poseidonmarine.eu
Raw-water impeller MD11C/D with sea-water pump cover plate held by 6 screws	Volvo Penta 3586494 Also: Johnson 09-806B, Jabsco 4528-0001, Sherwood 9979	“p.90 "MD5, MD11" block: Impeller kit (cover plate with 6 screws) — 3586494” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “MD5A* MD6A / MD11C, MD11D … Volvo Penta: 875807-0 803729 3586494 876689” — dealer, poseidonmarine.eu
Raw-water impeller MD17C/D	Volvo Penta 22222936	“p.90 "MD3, MD17" block: Impeller kit — 22222936” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “IMPELLER KIT … Denne delen passer til... MD11C,MD11D,…,MD17C,MD17D” — dealer, volvopentaparts.shop
Thermostat	Volvo Penta 876080	“Compatible with the following engines: … MD Series: MD11C MD11D MD17C MD17D MD1B MD2B MD3B” — dealer, marinepartsystem.com · “Thermostat Kit 876097 / 876080 suits Volvo Penta MD1B, MD2B, AQD3B, MD3B, MD11, C,D, MD17, C,D” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Model sources (7)

sailboatdata.com · cruisersforum.com · soundingsonline.com · practical-sailor.com · ftp.tognews.com · tognews.com · ftp.tognews.com

Own a Tayana 37? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.

Other Tayana models

Tayana Vancouver 42 1979–?

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.