Baba 30
Built 1978–1985 by Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan) for Flying Dutchman International; first ~30 by Shing Sheng
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About the Baba 30
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1978–1985
- Builder
- Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan) for Flying Dutchman International; first ~30 by Shing Sheng
- Designer
- Robert Perry
- Length
- 29.75 ft
- Waterline
- 24.5 ft
- Beam
- 10.25 ft
- Draft
- 4.75 ft
- Displacement
- 12,500 lb
- Ballast
- 5,000 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- full keel
- Rig
- cutter
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 40 gal
- Water
- 90 gal
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- tiller
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 40 gal
“40 gallon baffled black iron fuel tank” — owners' association (1985-1986), old.babaowners.org · “132 liters (34 US gallons, 29 imperial gallons)” — search excerpt, yachtdatabase.comThe Baba/Panda/Tashiba owners' site reproduces the builder's 1985-86 specification sheet: one 40-gal fuel tank. This replaces the spec database's 35. Earlier boats (Volvo/Perkins engines, some built by Shing Sheng) may differ; their figure wasn't confirmed.
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Water 90 gal
“90 gallons fresh water in two baffled stainless steel tanks” — owners' association (1985-1986), old.babaowners.org · “two separate water tanks ... each holding about 100 L (25 US gal)” — search excerpt, en.wikipedia.orgThe owners' site's copy of the 1985-86 spec sheet gives 90 gal in two tanks (our earlier figure was 80). Wikipedia describes about 2 x 25 gal and says tankage varies between boats.
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Holding unknown
The 1985-86 spec sheet lists a holding tank with Y-valve but no capacity.
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Water heater unknown
“Fresh water hand or foot pumps in galley and head (standard features list; no heater or pressure system listed)” — owners' association (1985-1986), old.babaowners.orgThe 1985-86 Baba 30 standard-equipment sheet reproduced by the owners' site gives hand or foot pumps only; it does not say a heater was unavailable, and no option list was found.
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 1985-86 Baba 30 specification sheet (on the owners' site) lists no thruster, and no option list was found.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
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Steering tiller
“Tiller steering, laminated hardwood tiller handle.” — owners' association (1985-1986), old.babaowners.org · “Wheel steering was frequently substituted for tiller.” — owners' association, old.babaowners.orgThe builder specification sheet (reproduced by the Baba/Panda/Tashiba owners' site) gives tiller steering as standard; the owners' site notes wheel steering was a frequent substitution (mechanism and make not stated).
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on number built — left blank rather than guessed.
Full keel with attached rudder; solid hull, cored superstructure. Sold by Flying Dutchman International; also called the Flying Dutchman Baba 30. Sailboatdata lists iron ballast and notes boats were delivered with Westerbeke, Yanmar and other engines.
Engines fitted
-
Volvo Penta MD11C — 23 hp, diesel, single
standard
sailboatdata lists a 23 hp Volvo MD11C as original equipment but notes boats were delivered with Westerbeke, Yanmar and others. Sailing Magazine's review also names Volvo among the factory engines.Sources: sailboatdata.com · sailingmagazine.net
-
Westerbeke — diesel, single
factory option
Sailing Magazine and sailboatdata both say Westerbekes were fitted at the factory on some boats; model/rating not given.Sources: sailingmagazine.net · sailboatdata.com
-
Yanmar 3GM(F) / 3GM30 — 27 hp, diesel, single
factory option
Sailing Magazine lists Yanmar among the factory engines and calls the 27 hp Yanmar 3GMF the best of them for maintenance; a by-owner listing shows a Yanmar 3GM30 (27.3 hp), original or repower not stated.Sources: sailingmagazine.net · boatnation.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
Not in the standard-equipment sheet.
Manuals and brochures online
- Spec sheet Baba 30 specification sheet (1985-86 era), reproduced by the Baba/Panda/Tashiba owners' site (1985-1986) — old.babaowners.org
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
-
Teak overlay decks on early boats deck
Early boats have teak-overlaid cored decks; neglected teak can let water rot the core and weaken the deck, so inspect closely (later boats had teak only on the cockpit seats).spinsheet.com
-
Corroded chainplate bolts rigging
Owners reported corrosion of chainplate bolts, which are visible from inside for inspection.practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Volvo Penta MD11C/D / MD17C/D parts: limited
Factory standard engine — you entered “Volvo Penta MD11C”
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
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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.
Yanmar 3GM / 3GM30F parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Yanmar 3GM(F) / 3GM30”
Very popular (used 3GM30Fs sell for $3,000+) and supported by a strong parts network. Cylinder head overhauls (valve seals, lapping, injector service) are a common, parts-supported repair.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), HDI Marine (stainless exhaust elbows), Parts4Engines
Common problems (2)
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Overheating at cruise rpm cooling
The 3GM30F has a known overheating tendency linked to its heat exchanger; owners also trace it to coked elbows, worn impellers, scaled heat exchangers or air in the raw water circuit. Some heat exchangers were replaced under warranty.forums.sailboatowners.com
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Mixing elbow corrosion exhaust
OEM elbows corrode internally and should be inspected or replaced with stainless versions before they let water into the engine.practical-sailor.com · facebook.com
Maker’s service schedule (2)
| Fuel filters & water separator | 250 hrs | “The normal replacement interval for the element is 250 hours ... Filter cleaning First time 50 hours Filter element repl” — manufacturer, c320.org |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 250 hrs | “Washing period Every 250 hours” — manufacturer, c320.org |
Service part numbers (10)
| Oil filter | Yanmar 119305-35170 Replaces 119305-35151, 119660-35150 |
“3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 119305-35170 1 FILTER ASSY, D68XL65” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “Maintenance kit Yanmar 2GMF, 2GM20F, 3GMF, 3GM30F ... Yanmar 119305-35170 Oil Filter” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
| Fuel filter | Yanmar 104500-55710 | “Fuel Filter Element 1 104500-55710 / Fuel Filter O-Ring 1 24341-000440” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 104500-55710 1 ELEMENT, FUEL FILTER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Japan-built 3GM / 3GM30(F) (serial not starting with E) |
Yanmar 124223-42092 | “Impeller 1 124223-42092 / Impeller Gasket 1 124223-42110” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 124223-42092 1 IMPELLER, PUMP” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller European-built GM-YEU (serial starting with E) |
Yanmar 128990-42570 Replaces 128990-42200 |
“(Supersedes part number: 128990-42200) ... 3GM30-YEU, 3GM30C-YEU 3GM30F-YEU, 3GM30FC-YEU” — dealer, palmerpower.com · “It fits Yanmar 2GM20F, 2YM15, 3GM30F, 3GM30FC, 3TN30F, 3YM20, 3YM30, 3YM30AE engines. Cross Reference: 128990-42200” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Drive belt | Yanmar 25132-003700 | “Alternator Belt 1 25132-003700” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 25132-003700 1 V-BELT, A37” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Drive belt | Yanmar 104511-78780 | “S/W Pump Belt 1 104511-78780” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 104511-78780 1 V-BELT, M/19” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Air filter | Yanmar 128270-12540 | “Air Filter Element 1 128270-12540” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 128270-12540 1 ELEMENT, AIR CLEANER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Zinc / anode raw-water 3GM / 3GM30; also sold for the F (heat-exchanger) versions |
Yanmar 27210-200300 | “27210-200300 Yanmar Engine Zinc Anode For 2GM(D), 3GM(D), 2GM20, 3GM30” — dealer, zincsforboats.com · “It fits Yanmar 2GM, 2GM20F, 2GM15, 2GM20, 3GM30F, 3GMF, 3HMF, 3GM30H engines.” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Thermostat 3GM30F / 3GMF (fresh-water cooled) |
Yanmar 121750-49800 | “Thermostat 1 121750-49800 / Thermostat Gasket 1 129350-49541” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Thermostat for Yanmar 2GMF, 3GMF, 3HMF, 2GM20F, 3GM30F, 3HM35F / REC121750-49800” — dealer, marineparts.eu |
| Thermostat 3GM / 3GM30 (raw-water cooled) |
Yanmar 105582-49200 | “Replaces Yanmar Marine 105582-49200 ... 1GM, 2GM, 3GM, 1GM10, 2GM20, 3GM30” — dealer, repowermarine.com · “1GM10, 2GM20 & 3GM30 Thermostat to fit raw water cooled engine versions ... equivalent to 105582-49200” — dealer, parts4engines.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.
Model sources (6)
sailboatdata.com · spinsheet.com · practical-sailor.com · sailingmagazine.net · boatnation.com · old.babaowners.org
Other Baba models
- Baba 40 (Panda 40 / Tashiba 40) 1980–1982
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.