THE BOAT
The 1992 Ta Chiao CT-56 “PILLIN” is a classic 56-foot offshore ketch built for a very specific type of ownership: long-distance cruising, living aboard and passages where range, stability and structural substance matter more than the lightness of a modern production yacht. She is located in Marbella / Puerto Banús and stands out because her current owner began an extensive refit from 2020, addressing several of the systems that matter most on a yacht of this size.
The CT-56 was designed by Robert H. Perry and built in Taiwan by Ta Chiao Ship Building Co. Its architecture belongs to the tradition of substantial Taiwanese bluewater cruisers: GRP construction, long keel, generous beam, ketch rig and an interior conceived for spending serious time aboard.
On PILLIN, that traditional platform is combined with a 165 hp Doosan L136 installed during the refit, Vetus bow thruster, Fischer Panda generator, Raymarine electronics, reverse-cycle air conditioning, substantial tankage, three double cabins and two full heads. Recent work also includes teak deck and sails in 2021, wind instrumentation in 2024 and shaft and propeller in 2025.
This is not a yacht designed to compete with a light 56-footer on outright performance. Its appeal lies elsewhere: character, volume, range, storage, a more settled motion at sea and a serious platform for travelling and living aboard.
Why this CT-56 deserves attention
On a yacht of this age, the difference between two examples of the same model can be considerable. Here, much of the value lies in the combination of a proven classic offshore platform and a broad modernisation programme: engine, electrical system, electronics, deck, sails, galley, refrigeration, upholstery, mattresses, shaft and propeller have all received attention in recent years.
The three-double-cabin layout, large aft owner's cabin, 900 litres of fresh water, 1,350 litres of fuel, generator and air conditioning make the CT-56 feel closer to a compact cruising home than to a yacht intended mainly for weekend use.
Handling is also part of the equation. The ketch rig divides sail area between main, mizzen and headsails, allowing different combinations according to wind and course. In harbour, the 160 kgf Vetus bow thruster is a particularly useful aid on a yacht of this length and displacement.
CT-56 architecture and cruising philosophy
Published design specifications place the CT-56 at 16.92 m LOA, 4.72 m beam, approximately 27.98 tonnes displacement, 8.96 tonnes ballast and 145 m² of reported sail area. This particular yacht is advertised at a rounded 17.00 x 4.70 m.
The model's published ratios — a displacement/length ratio above 300 and a comfort ratio above 50 — describe its character well: a substantial, stable cruiser with considerable momentum. The long keel provides continuity beneath the hull, while the ketch rig distributes loads across several sails, a combination traditionally valued on long-range cruising yachts.
The model's design draft is approximately 2.08 m and its published theoretical hull speed is around 8.9 knots. These figures are consistent with a yacht designed to maintain pace and comfort for hours rather than deliver rapid acceleration.
Main specifications
- Builder: Ta Chiao Ship Building Co.
- Model: CT-56
- Name: PILLIN
- Year: 1992
- Designer: Robert H. Perry
- Type: offshore cruising ketch
- Construction: GRP
- Keel: long keel
- Length: 17.00 m
- Beam: 4.70 m
- Model design draft: approx. 2.08 m
- Cabins: 3 doubles
- Heads: 2 full bathrooms
- Interior headroom: up to 2.20 m
- Capacity: 14 persons
- Flag: Spanish
- Location: Marbella / Puerto Banús, Spain
- Price: €330,000
Engine, drive and manoeuvring
- Engine: 6-cylinder Doosan L136
- Engine year: 2020
- Power: 165 hp / 121 kW
- Hours: approx. 600 h
- Fuel: diesel
- Drive: shaft
- Shaft: replaced in 2025
- Propeller: replaced in 2025
- Bow thruster: Vetus 160 kgf
The replacement engine is one of the most meaningful upgrades aboard. A 165 hp Doosan provides useful reserve power for a yacht of this size and, together with the 2025 shaft and propeller replacement, means a substantial part of the propulsion train has been renewed.
The 160 kgf bow thruster is equally relevant in practical use: on a heavy 17-metre ketch it can make a significant difference when manoeuvring in confined spaces or crosswind conditions.
Generator and electrical system
- Generator: Fischer Panda 16000 series
- Reference output: 16 kW
- Generator hours: approx. 90 h
- Chargers: Victron 12 V and 24 V
- Inverter: installed
- Shore power: installed
- Batteries: bank renewed during the refit
- Electrical installation: renewed during the refit
- Lighting: interior ambient LED system
On a yacht intended for extended stays aboard, power generation and management directly affect comfort. The Fischer Panda generator, Victron chargers, inverter, shore-power connection and renewed battery bank support domestic services, climate control and navigation electronics without relying solely on marina power.
Tankage and onboard range
- Fuel: 1,350 L
- Fresh water: 900 L
- Black water: 1,000 L
Tank capacity is one of the strengths of the CT-56 concept. The 1,350 litres of diesel and 900 litres of water suit a yacht intended to spend days or weeks away from its home berth, while the substantial black-water capacity adds further independence during longer stays aboard.
Sails, masts and sail handling
- Rig: ketch
- Mast: aluminium
- Mast height: 20 m
- Sails: complete set renewed in 2021
- Mainsail: 60 m² with lazyjacks and lazy bag
- Mizzen: renewed in 2021
- Genoa: 120 m², furling
- Staysail / jib: 25 m²
- Asymmetric / spinnaker: 35 m²
- Rigid vang: Rodkicker 30
- Winches: 10 manual Lewmar units
The ketch rig allows a broad range of sail combinations: main and genoa in normal conditions, mizzen to balance the yacht, or more conservative configurations as the breeze builds. On a heavy cruiser, splitting sail area into smaller individual sails is an important part of the design philosophy.
Anchoring and deck
- Deck: teak replaced in 2021
- Cockpit: teak finish
- Windlass: Lofrans Falcon 1,700 W
- Chain: 100 m stainless steel
- Main anchor: 45 kg stainless steel
- Secondary anchoring: second anchor setup
- Weather protection: bimini and sprayhood
- Cockpit: table and exterior shower
- Water access: swim ladder
- Boarding: gangway
- Tender handling: davits
Replacing the teak on a yacht of this size is a major job in both labour and cost. Combined with the powerful windlass, 100 metres of chain and 45 kg anchor, the deck equipment keeps a clear long-range cruising and anchoring focus.
Electronics, communications and navigation
- Plotters: two Raymarine displays
- Radar: Raymarine
- AIS: installed
- Autopilot: with remote control
- Wind: instrument renewed in 2024
- Depth and speed: sounder and log
- Positioning: GPS
- Steering reference: compass
- VHF: two units, exterior and interior
- Long-range radio: installed
- Connectivity: onboard internet
- Electronic safety: beacon and MOB system
- Radar reflector: installed
The electronics and communications upgrade narrows one of the usual gaps between a classic 1990s cruiser and a yacht prepared for current use. Radar, AIS, twin plotters, remote autopilot control, twin VHF and long-range communications are particularly coherent with PILLIN's travelling brief.
Interior, layout and living aboard
The interior retains one of the defining qualities of this type of Taiwanese construction: extensive teak joinery, teak-and-holly flooring and a warmer, more substantial atmosphere than many contemporary interiors. Headroom reaches approximately 2.20 m in the main areas, an especially welcome feature for extended time aboard.
The layout provides three double cabins: two forward cabins and a large aft owner's cabin. There are two full heads, a saloon, fully equipped galley and storage capacity appropriate for carrying luggage, spares and provisions on longer cruises.
Upholstery and mattresses were renewed during the refit, while ambient LED lighting updates the atmosphere without removing the yacht's traditional character.
Galley
- Worktop: Dekton
- Dishwasher: installed
- Refrigerator: renewed compressor
- Freezer: renewed compressor
- Oven: installed
- Microwave: installed
- Cooking: electric / ceramic hob
- Sink: installed
- Extraction: cooker hood
The galley is closer to a liveaboard domestic setup than to a small auxiliary yacht galley. Dekton surfaces, dishwasher and independent refrigeration are particularly useful for a couple or family spending extended periods aboard.
Comfort
- Climate control: reverse-cycle air conditioning throughout
- Hot water: installed
- Washing machine: installed
- Television: installed
- Audio: sound system and cockpit speakers
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and onboard internet
Safety
- Liferaft: included
- Lifejackets: 14 units
- Fire protection: five manual extinguishers and one automatic system
- Beacon: installed
- MOB system: installed
- Navigation lights: installed
- Bilge pumps: electric and manual
Refit and major updates
The refit is probably the feature that most separates PILLIN from a CT-56 preserved largely with period equipment. This is not a single cosmetic upgrade, but a series of works affecting navigation, propulsion, energy, accommodation and deck systems.
- From 2020: broad refit programme initiated by the current owner
- 2020: Doosan L136 installed during the modernisation
- 2021: teak deck replaced
- 2021: sail inventory renewed
- During the refit: electrical installation and battery bank renewed
- During the refit: Raymarine electronics modernised
- During the refit: galley, refrigeration compressors, upholstery and mattresses updated
- 2024: wind instrument renewed
- 2025: shaft and propeller replaced
For a buyer, work of this kind carries more practical weight than a simple accessories list because it addresses expensive systems that are difficult to renew on a 17-metre yacht. The result is a classic platform that retains its identity while a substantial part of its infrastructure has been updated.
Fontnautic view
PILLIN is interesting precisely because she does not try to be a modern yacht. She is a large cruising ketch: heavy, spacious and designed to sail at a different rhythm. Buyers looking for a light, minimalist, performance-oriented yacht will find more suitable alternatives; those who value liveaboard comfort, range, traditional joinery, storage and the feel of a substantial offshore cruiser will understand the CT-56 far better.
The second argument is the refit. Engine, teak, sails, electronics, electrics, galley, shaft and propeller cover many of the areas that normally concern buyers considering a classic yacht. That investment does not make the boat new, but it significantly changes the starting point for her next owner.
At this size and level of complexity, she deserves a considered viewing and a proper sea trial. Fontnautic can coordinate the visit, pre-purchase survey, sea trial, documentation and negotiation as one coherent transaction.
Information and viewing
The 1992 Ta Chiao CT-56 “PILLIN” is located in Marbella / Puerto Banús and is offered at €330,000.
For further information, photographs, a viewing or to discuss the transaction, you can contact Fontnautic.
