Tartan Boat: A Worthy Investment For Sailors?

Tartan Yachts is an American boat builder specialising in the design and manufacture of fiberglass sailboats. The company was founded by Charles Britton in 1971 and is based in Painesville, Ohio, near Lake Erie. Over the years, Tartan has produced several designs, including the Tartan 5300, Tartan 4700, and Tartan 395. The boats range in price from $5,172 to $605,880 and are available for purchase or charter. The Tartan 395, in particular, has been praised for its sailing performance, nimble manoeuvring, and comfortable interior. With its twin wheels and engine controls at knee level, it offers excellent control and responsiveness. The 395 is also constructed with advanced materials, such as composite hulls and modified epoxy resins, ensuring a lightweight and sturdy vessel. Overall, the Tartan 395 exemplifies the company's commitment to design harmony and attention to detail, making it a good choice for those seeking a well-crafted and high-performance sailboat.

Tartan Yachts is an American boat builder based in Ohio, specialising in fiberglass sailboats

Tartan Yachts, also known as Tartan Marine, is an American boat builder specialising in the design and manufacture of fiberglass sailboats. The company is based in Painesville, Ohio, near Lake Erie.

Tartan Yachts was founded by Charles Britton in 1971. Britton started the company after buying out Douglass & McLeod following a fire that destroyed its factory. Over the years, Tartan has produced several sailboat designs, including the Tartan 5300, 4700, 4300, 4000, 345, and the Fantail.

Tartan Yachts has had its share of ups and downs but has established itself as a leading American builder of cruising boats and racer-cruisers. The company's boats are well-regarded for their performance, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. One of their boats, the Tartan 395, has been described as having "a soft motion through the waves" and offering "a completely inert hull that is lighter and stiffer than conventional solid glass hulls." The 395 is also praised for its comfortable and spacious interior, with two double cabins, a generous shower, and ample storage space.

In addition to the 395, Tartan has also released other popular models, such as the 37, 34C, 365, and 4100. These boats offer a range of features and sizes, catering to various activities like overnight cruising, watersports, and sailing. The company's commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a reputation as a trusted name in the boating industry.

Tartan Yachts' dedication to craftsmanship and performance has made it a recognised brand in the boating world, with a presence in the United States, Canada, Antigua and Barbuda, Italy, and Martinique. The company's boats cater to a range of budgets, with prices varying from $5,172 to $605,880, ensuring that enthusiasts of all financial backgrounds can experience the joy of sailing a Tartan yacht.

The company was founded by Charles Britton in 1971 and has had its ups and downs

The company now known as Tartan Marine (or Tartan Yachts) was founded by Charles Britton in 1971. Britton was a competitive sailor and ship manufacturer who founded Douglass & McLeod Plastics Co. in 1960, which he later renamed to the Tartan Marine Co. in 1971. Britton started the company by buying out Douglass & McLeod after its factory was destroyed by a fire in 1971.

Tartan Marine is based in Painesville, Ohio, near Lake Erie, and has had its ups and downs over the years. At the time of the launch of the Tartan 37 in 1967, the company had its headquarters in Grand River, Ohio, and a factory in Hamlet, North Carolina. The company became the world's sixth-largest builder of fiberglass sailboats with onboard engines.

In 1983, Britton sold the company following disputes with the United Steelworkers of America and the National Labor Relations Board. Since then, the company has had several different owners and has continued to produce a range of sailboat designs. In recent times, the company has faced some challenges, but it appears to have found its footing again under the ownership of seasoned naval architect Tim Jackett, who is now one of the principal owners.

Tartan Yachts has a strong reputation for building well-constructed, high-quality boats. Their boats are known for their attention to detail, craftsmanship, and sailing performance. The company uses advanced construction techniques and materials, such as modified epoxy resins and composite hulls, to create lightweight, stiff, and inert hulls that enhance performance and durability.

One of their recent boats, the Tartan 395, has received positive reviews for its design, construction, and sailing characteristics. It is described as a "sweet sailboat straight from the American heartland" and has been praised for its maneuverability, comfortable interior, and sailing performance.

The Tartan 395 is a manageable size for two people and is praised for its sailing performance

The Tartan 395 is a highly praised yacht, described as a sweet sailboat and a proper yacht in the traditional American sense. It is a manageable size for two people, with a length of 39 feet and 6 inches, a weight of 17,000 pounds, and a safe cruising range of about 250 miles. The yacht is also light enough to be manhandled around tight slips and docks by two people.

The Tartan 395 is praised for its sailing performance, with a top speed of 8 knots and an ability to maintain a speed of 6.7 knots while burning under half a gallon of fuel per hour. The yacht has a large mainsail and a light hull, which contribute to its light wind sailing performance. The hull is designed with a pure cruising shape without hard edges or chines, giving it a soft motion through the waves. The yacht also has a highly refined spade rudder, which provides a very fine feel to the helm and adds lift to the hull when sailing close to the wind.

The Tartan 395 is designed by long-time Tartan naval architect Tim Jackett, who is now one of the principal owners of the company. Jackett is known for his attention to detail and well-thought-out designs, ensuring that his boats sail well and do precisely what they are created to do. The yacht is constructed with high-quality materials and features a carbon-fibre mast, a composite hull, and a core of closed-cell foam to prevent water absorption.

The Tartan 395 offers a comfortable and traditional interior with two double cabins, a spacious galley, a large head with a separate shower stall, and ample storage space. The yacht's interior is described as having a sense of space and warmth that is rare for boats of its size, with honey-toned solid maple joinery and subtle fabric colours. Overall, the Tartan 395 is an excellent choice for couples or small groups looking for a manageable, well-performing, and high-quality yacht.

The Tartan 37 is a moderately high-performance, shoal-draft cruiser built between 1967 and 1988

The Tartan 37 offers two rig options: a standard rig providing 52 feet of bridge clearance and a "tall" rig at 53 feet, 8 inches. Both are supported by standard 1x19 stainless steel wire rigging. With a sail area of 625 square feet, the Tartan 37 delivers competitive racing performance and impressive, comfortable 24-hour runs. The boat handles well in various conditions, with excellent performance sailing to weather and efficient rudder control in full-sail reaching or running situations. The cockpit remains relatively dry, but a dodger is recommended for added shelter.

The interior of the Tartan 37 is traditional yet spacious, featuring teak veneer and trim with a teak-battened, white Formica overhead. The V-berth can be converted into a dockside double with an insert, and the starboard settee in the main cabin works well as a sea berth. The port settee converts to a double, and the boat also includes a double quarter berth aft, a rare feature for a boat of this size. The galley is located to starboard, and a navigation station is positioned to port at the base of the companionway. Most Tartan 37s are powered by a 32-hp Universal 40 engine, and the standard 47-gallon fuel tank provides ample range for coastal or inshore motoring.

The Tartan 37 has maintained its value over the years, with early models (1976-1981) typically listing in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, while newer ones (1982-1988) can reach up to $90,000. The price varies based on the condition, equipment, and manufacturing year. Overall, the Tartan 37 is a well-built, high-performance cruiser that has stood the test of time.

Tartan boats are available for purchase, with prices ranging from $5,172 to $605,880

The Tartan 37, for example, is a moderately high-performance, shoal-draft cruiser built between 1967 and 1988. It offers a lean profile, with a long coach roof that translates into enhanced space below. The centerboard adds to its cruising utility, making it a well-built and fast cruising boat.

The Tartan 395, on the other hand, is a more recent model that showcases the company's expertise. Designed by seasoned naval architect Tim Jackett, it combines performance with attention to detail. The boat offers a comfortable and well-crafted interior, with a choice of light maple, cherry, or teak finishes. The 395 also boasts features such as efficient rig and sail plan configurations, a composite hull, and a large, efficient rudder.

Tartan boats are known for their quality and performance, with models suited for sailing, cruising, and racing. The company has a long history in the industry, dating back to 1971, and specializes in the design and manufacture of fiberglass sailboats. Whether you're an experienced sailor or a beginner, a Tartan boat can offer a range of features and capabilities to suit your needs on the water.

With prices starting at $5,172 and going up to $605,880, there is a wide range of options available for those interested in purchasing a Tartan boat. Whether you're in the market for a pre-owned vessel or a brand-new model, the company offers a variety of choices to fit different budgets and preferences.

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