tartan yacht sailboats

The smallest Tartan may just be the mightiest

Designed for good, clean sailing fun, the tartan 245 aims to please on many levels, design overview.

The T245 is designed and built to bring people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds into the lifestyle we love.

Introducing Tartan 245

Keep it simple. Keep it safe. Keep it fun. Explore the T245.

Schedule a Test Sail!

There's nothing like getting a Tartan out on the water. Go ahead and schedule your test sail today!

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Specifications

For complete Tartan 245 specifications click here.

For Tartan 245 literature click here.

For Tartan 245 drawings click here.

Tartan 245 Reviews

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Tartan Yachts For Sale

Tartan Yachts are among the most reputable sailboat builders in the world. Using a resin-infusion process on their hulll creates a boat that is durable strong, and lighter-weight than their competition. Tartan also builds Legacy Yachts for the downeast owner. Let the team at United help you find the right used Tartan Sailboat that fits your needs.

Learn More About Tartan And Find Your Next Boat

Decades and decades has Tartan Sailboats has made history. The resourceful designers, engineers and boat builders of Tartan Yachts have continuously established new standards from performance to quality. Tartan Yachts has been able to do just that by staying true to themselves and the company, all while providing the owners with a Tartan Yacht that delivers both luxurious accommodations and a safe, well-mannered sailing performance, in all conditions of the sea. In 1960, Tartan emerged on the sailing yacht scene, with Charlie Britton at the helm. Charlie developed the company’s first model, the Tartan 27, thanks to a collaboration with the renowned design firm of Sparkman and Stephens and builder Douglass and McLeod of Grand River, Ohio. Jumping into the seventies, Tartan continued to expand the company and develop new models. During the eighties Tartan experiences a great deal of change. John Richards and Jim Briggs took over the reins from Charlie and close to the mid-eighties is when the new development of several Tartans started. The first complete in house design was the Tartan 31 and Tartan 372. Both these yachts were Cruising World Boat of Year winners in their early years. The late nineties is when Tartan acquired the C & C brand and began to development several new models. Although Tartan experiences a large deal of success with the C & C brand, launching nearly 400 Tartan build C & C’s over a 10 year production run, unfortunately the C & C brand was eventually licensed to another builder which allowed Tartan to focus on its core product, luxury cruisers with great performance. Today, with over 5,000 hulls launched, Tartan still continues to adhere to the foundation of great designs, exceptional craftsmanship and leading technology and let’s not forget about the uncommon comfort and performance. 

List Of Tartan Yachts On The Brokerage Market

• Page 1 of 1

Tartan Sailboat Models

Tartan 5300

With a length of 53 feet in total, the Tartan 5300 is an astonishing sailing yacht. The hull is made with a NPG isophthalic gelcoat and an infused BPA modified epoxy. Going inside of the Tartan 5300 you will notice the solid stock cherry trim throughout and the raised panel cherry passage doors. The locks and hardware are polished chrome, as well as the hardware on all the cabinets. The fabrics onboard are a selection of designer fabrics, from Ultra Leather to Ultra Suede. Looking what runs this grand sailing yacht are 106hp Volvo Diesel engine with a 125 gallon fuel tank capacity. As for the engine room, there is a ventilation system with two thermostatically controlled fans, making sure nothing ever heats up. 

Tartan Fantail Daysailer

 The Tartan Fantail Daysailer has efficient high performance and a “green” sailing experience, perfect for the beginner sailor. The Fantail is not a “retro design” or a white knuckles racing boat, but rather she is well-mannered, controllable sail plain with a contemporary performance design and classic lines making her sleek as no other. The hull is made with a NPG isophthalic gel coat for superior gloss retention and she also comes with a non-prorated 15 year hull structural and blister guarantee. Her deck is a balanced composite laminate and reinforced at high load areas with additional piles of bidirectional “E” glass reinforcement. 

Tartan Custom Sailing Yachts

Full customization and personalization for the experienced yachtsman. Did you know Tartan Yachts is also a full customization yacht designer and builder? Now you do! Over the years the company has found that Tartan and more recently Legacy owners are a bit different from many other boating enthusiasts. Most of them have years and years of experience out on the open sea, and majority of them owning several boats in their lifetime. When they go to consider a new boat, they generally have a well-developed idea of what it is that they are searching for based on what is most important to them during when they are sailing. Tartan and Legacy yachts are very personalized to meet each individuals needs but of course this customization is bound by the constraints of existing models and deck plans. For some yachtsman out there, a solution may be a complete custom build and if it is, TLC Yachts (Tartan, Legacy, and Custom) is the way to go! 

How to Buy a Tartan Yacht

If you’re interested in purchasing a Tartan Yacht, a United Yachts Sales professional can assist you in your search.  Being a 100-percent customer-driven business, United Yachts delivers every time by listening closely to your needs and budget, thoroughly reviewing the available options on the market, and taking the guess-work out of your boat search. Using a United broker to help you find the right boat or yacht for you can save you time, money, and a lot of extra work after the sale. And best of all, it costs you nothing.

How to Sell Your Tartan Yacht 

United Yachts Sales has experience and the product knowledge to sell your Tartan Yacht. Selecting the right full-service brokerage firm when selling your yacht improves the likelihood of a seamless and timely transaction. Listing your yacht with United Yachts, you can be certain it is in the hands of dedicated professionals.  With over 15 years in business, our devoted Sales Professionals work attentively to provide you with first-class representation. Our industry-leading support team includes a listing team, marketing team, and closing team with decades of combined experience to make ensure the sale of your boat or yacht goes as smoothly as possible. 

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Tartan 365 Details

The Tartan 365 moves the performance in “performance cruising” genre into another gear. With her narrow waterline at beam max, fine lines aft, and nearly plumb bow, the Tartan 365 looks ready to fly even when tied to the dock or mooring. That said, her standard carbon-fiber mast and solid lead keel provide a ride second to none available in this size and price range no matter where in the world the building takes place. The Tartan design team was tasked with creating a modern dual-purpose, family-friendly boat with a strong cruising ethos. Tim Jackett and his team have once again proved their talents and created just what is needed in this size at this time. 

Don't let the sparkle of the stainless, gorgeousness of teak, intelligence of opening portlights, and ventilation cowls with dorade boxes fool you. The new Tartan 365 is designed to move at a pace unexpected by her competition. Once below, the richness of solid stock cabinets, luxury of custom upholstery, and comfort of properly-designed cabins and furniture remind you why you wanted to come aboard in the first place. Tartan Yachts has created another unmatched jewel. Let's go sailing! From Florida, to California, to the Pacific Northwest, any of our Seattle Yachts Sales Professionals can assist you in the purchase of a Tartan Yacht . Use our Contact Us page to find your closest location.

Designer's Notes About The Tartan 365 :

Performance in all aspects of design and construction has been the foundation for Tartan design since Sparkman & Stephens laid down the lines for Tartan 27 #1  nearly 60 years ago. The new Tartan 365 wholeheartedly embraces this heritage then, ups the ante.  

The Tartan 365 is a bit leaner than other models in the line, and sports a very long waterline. Due to Tartan’s advanced laminating resins and reinforcements brought together in our industry leading infusion process,  the 365 is very strong, yet displacement remains moderate at 13,160 pounds. This produces an impressive displacement to length ratio of 164 which indicates a slippery and quick design.  With a ballast to displacement ratio of 38% and a lightweight, stiff, and strong carbon-fiber mast, the 365 will have great stability. By controlling weight and maximizing stability the 365 can be powered by a tall and efficient CCR sail plan. Upwind with the self-tacking jib, the 365 boasts a sail area to displacement ratio of 20.8. Unfurl the masthead 150% reacher and the sail area to displacement ratio is  a robust 29.6. All of this performance is packaged into a deck plan, hardware plan, and rig that make exhilarating sailing a snap for cruising crews.  

As with all Tartans, the 365 interior is so much more than those offered by today’s fare of cookie cutter, high volume, production boats. Featuring handcrafted North American maple or cherry wood interior , solid stock trim, raised panel doors and cabinet faces, and teak and holly cabin sole all finished with a highly durable satin conversion varnish, the interior is stunning. The two-cabin layout features abundant storage in hanging lockers, drawers, and under seat and berth areas. The galley to starboard is fit with a convenient drawer-style refrigerator that includes an upper freezer section and the two-burner LPG stove is flanked by generous countertop space the cook will appreciate.  Directly to port is a comfortable navgation station that doubles as a nice sit down work space. The head aft and to port includes a separate shower with a handy access door to the cockpit locker space. Through the use of the best composite manufacturing processes, the 365 will deliver superior sailing performance while pampering the crew with interior comfort and elegance.

On deck the Tartan 365 allows a cruising crew or perhaps the occasional racing crew to optimize performance and as with all Tartans, ventilation is given the attention it deserves. The large cockpit is fit with dual, custom, carbon-fiber steering pedestals that weigh a mere four pounds each. The sailing sight lines from each steering position provide excellent visibility allowing  the driver to chase that last tenth of a knot or navigate the most beautiful harbor entrance. For the sail tweaker in all of us, all sail controls are led to housetop winches through rope clutches.  Wide side decks, with double lifelines and properly placed handholds provide safe and convenient movement on deck. Ten opening portlights, four deck hatches, and a pair of dorade boxes with chromed cowls and stainless steel guards provide ventilation that is second to none. Comfortable, safe, and efficient–the 365 deck is designed to satisfy.

Powered by a lofty carbon-fiber mast, built by Tartan sister company AMP Spars, the now tried-and-true Tartan CCR rig (Cruise Control Rig) drives the 365’s slippery hull with ease.  Carbon-fiber is simply the best material for a sailboat mast and Tartan is the only performance cruising boat that is delivered with a carbon-fiber mast and boom as standard equipment. The light weight, stiffness, and strength of carbon-fiber increases stability and reduces pitching moment all combined to deliver greater performance, safety, and comfort.  Other builders may attempt to duplicate the benefits of a self-tacking jib and off wind reacher, but without the commitment to the best build practices and carbon-fiber spars, they come up short.

Tartan’s all new 365 is a further refinement of the brand’s commitment to performance sailing for sailors who appreciate the benefits of great build practices and award-winning design.    

Northwest 52 Details

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Tartan 455 sailboat.

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Sailboat Review: Tartan 455

• By Herb McCormick
• March 12, 2024

For me, for many reasons, certain boats and brands are synonymous with the waters or regions where they were created. The places are an essential component of the boats’ DNA. I’ll always associate a varnished mahogany runabout with upstate New York, or a cool little vintage catboat with Buzzards Bay and southern New England. Every classic Hinckley or Morris that I come across paints a vivid portrait of coastal Maine. Even yachts that sail or cruise far and wide all over the world still convey a sense of place. Recently, aboard a new Tartan 455, we pointed the bow into choppy Lake Erie, and I intuited an instant connection to the nearby northeast Ohio plant where the boat was spawned. It all felt like home. 

Other people see different things. After I uploaded a photo to social media of myself steering the 455, an old pal quickly hit me back with a comment, asking: “Tartan is still building boats?” 

The answer is an emphatic yes, and pretty darn good ones at that. The company has certainly had its ups and downs over the years, but it’s now navigating smoother waters for a couple of major reasons. First, it was recently acquired by Seattle Yachts, which made significant investments in the product and facilities, and appears firmly committed for the long haul. Second, longtime Tartan designer Tim Jackett is running operations, and the native Ohio homeboy is giving it his all. 

Jackett says that the 455 evolved from powerboats by Legacy, a company Tartan acquired in 2010. “The roots of it came after having some exposure to the Legacy brand and looking at how the deck and interior of that sedan style of powerboat works out so nicely,” he says. His first swing at the design in sailboat mode was a 37-foot motorsailer with a substantial trim tab that powered up at 14 knots. (It was never built.) When the owner of a Tartan 3700 approached him about commissioning a larger boat, Jackett returned to expand upon his earlier incarnation.

“But the concept was the same,” he says. “More of a sailing hull, but a nice, big, well-lit living space with inside steering, and then an aft cockpit that gave you the normal sailing experience of wind and water in your face when you wanted it.”

Jackett says that the 455 evolved from powerboats by legacy, a company tartan acquired in 2010. His first swing at the design was a 37-foot motorsailer.

Down a few steps into the deep ­cockpit, sliding doors open into the salon, which transitions into the forward living areas. The bulletproof laminate is a vacuum-bagged, infused sandwich that employs epoxy resin with a foam core in the hull construction and end-grain balsa in the deck. The lead keel supports a hefty ballast bulb and is available in deep- and shallow-draft configurations.

There are a couple of accommodations plans, including a two-stateroom version or the three-stateroom layout employed in the model we sailed, with guest staterooms to port and starboard, and an owner’s space forward with an attached head. The well-executed joiner work and furniture were cherry, though teak and maple are available (much of it sourced from northeast Ohio’s Amish mills). I’d say that this is primarily a comfortable couple’s boat with space for occasional visits from family and friends. 

Aesthetically, I found the lines plan of the 455 to be handsome and pleasing­—not a particularly easy task with a large ­deckhouse, which Jackett incorporated nicely into the profile.

This is ​​­primarily a comfortable ­couple’s boat with space for occasional visits from family and friends­—A big boat but an easy one to negotiate.

Wraparound windows allow light to pour in from all directions, as does the deckhouse’s overhead window. A split hydraulic backstay provides easy access to the drop-down transom and boarding platform between the twin wheels, which are stationed well outboard. (There’s a single, deep spade rudder.) Moving forward, an outboard ramp rises from the cockpit to the side decks, which makes for easy egress to the topside and foredeck. I believe that this feature originated with the Jeanneau line, and I always thought it was a trend that would spill over to other builders (see the Moody 41DS). It’s just too simple and elegant a solution to an age-old design conundrum. There are grippy stainless-steel handrails just about everywhere. This Tartan is a big boat but an easy one to negotiate.

The carbon-fiber double-spreader rig is fashioned in Tartan’s in-house autoclave, as are the rudder post and other reinforcements. The company’s Cruise Control Rig double-headsail sail plan (also known as a Solent setup) has become a fixture across the brand, with a code-zero-style reacher on the forward stay and a smaller, self-tacking jib on the aft one. The powerful, full-battened mainsail is stashed in a Leisure Furl in-boom furler, and there’s a wide traveler atop the deckhouse that facilitates the end-boom mainsail sheeting. All the running rigging is led into the cockpit and handled by a combination of rope clutches and Harken electric winches. The excellent sails come from Sobstad’s loft in nearby Rocky Hill. 

Over the years, I’ve sailed many a Jackett design, and the common denominator is they sail exceedingly well. We sailed the 455 on an early-fall afternoon after a cold front rolled through, offering up ideal 10- to 15-knot northwest breezes. The waves in the relatively shallow lake were closely spaced. As I took the wheel and came onto the wind under the smaller jib, it took me a while to stop pinching and get in the groove. But once I fell off a good 10 degrees, the boat and I settled in, and it muscled through the chop with aplomb. 

The steering was tight and accurate. Jackett says that he was still playing with the optimal rudder configuration, but it all felt fine to me. Topside, the Jefa wheels are cable-controlled, while the deckhouse steering station is on a hydraulic ram. You toggle between the two, depending on where you’re driving. We swapped out the self-tacker for the large reacher and bore off another 10 degrees, and the boat absolutely lit up, trucking along on a beam reach at bursts over 9 knots in complete and utter control. We even jibed the big sail through the exceedingly tight ­foretriangle, a maneuver I wouldn’t have thought possible. It was quite the sail. 

Fittingly, the first Tartan 455 is going to live on the Great Lakes, with Lake Huron’s North Channel a likely regular cruising ground. But I can envision this being a terrific yacht for the Pacific Northwest and beyond, and ideal for high-latitude adventures. You might not be able to take the Ohio out of a Tartan, but you can take this Tartan just about anywhere.

Where It All Began: Tartan 27

On the back lot of Tartan’s headquarters in Painesville, Ohio, the exact boat that started it all—Hull No. 1 of the sweet little Tartan 27 line, of which more than 700 were eventually built in a production run that lasted until 1979—is awaiting a complete refit. It was fun and ­enlightening, after sailing and reviewing Tartan’s latest offering, to consider how ­production-boat building and design has evolved during the past 60-plus years. The changes have been extensive.

The Tartan 27 was a collaborative effort between Douglass & McLeod Inc., an Ohio-based builder of one-design wooden dinghies such as the Thistle and the Flying Scot, and Charlie Britton, a sailor and businessman who was also reared on the shores of Lake Erie. Following his service in the US Navy, Britton sailed his 42-foot yawl from Japan to the West Indies, a rather unheard-of voyage in the late 1950s. Once home, he joined forces with D&M to commission a 27-footer for coastal cruising and club racing. Being Scotsmen, they decided to name it Tartan.

There were a lot of firsts ­involved here: The T27 was D&M’s first fiberglass boat, and it was one of the initial glass designs from the venerable East Coast firm of Sparkman & Stephens. The chief designer for the project was a young naval architect named Bill Shaw, who would go on to become the principal design chief at Pearson Yachts, where he designed dozens of models. 

Hull No. 1 launched in 1961. With its boxy coachroof and low-aspect masthead rig, it’s hard to believe today that the T27 was considered a performance racer/cruiser at the time, but as such, it was an immediate success. It was designed to compete under the popular Cruising Club of America rating rule of the early 1960s. Like other yachts of that period, including the Pearson Triton and Hinckley Bermuda 40, it featured long overhangs and a short waterline, a narrow beam (8 feet, 9 inches), moderate displacement, a long keel, shallow draft, an aperture-mounted propeller for the Atomic 4 gas engine, a keel-hung rudder, and slack bilges. Most of the early T27s were sloops, though it was also offered as a yawl, which did well under the CCA rule. 

At 7,400 pounds ­displacement, it was not a light boat, but when slightly cracked off, it tracked to weather like a demon. Unlike the Triton, which had a fixed keel, the T27 was a keel-centerboard boat that drew 6 feet, 4 inches when the board was lowered, and a mere 3 feet, 2 inches when raised, making it highly versatile as a pocket cruiser. The original centerboards were bronze, which must have raised some mighty maintenance issues, and is likely why it was soon switched over to steel encased in fiberglass. The ¾-inch fiberglass hull was a proverbial brick house; the deck was balsa-cored. At the time, the construction was state of the art.

D&M followed up the T27 with a couple more venerable “classic plastic” legends, including the Ted Hood-designed Black Watch 37 (which eventually was remodeled and relaunched as the Tartan 37) and another S&S benchmark, the Tartan 34, an expanded version of the T27 that also had a centerboard. Man, for many years, I was bewitched by the 34-footer, and you can still find all of these models in harbors everywhere. 

After a fire in 1971, D&M sold Britton the Tartan division, starting a whole new chapter in the company’s storied history.

As I steered the latest Tartan—a systems-rich yacht finished to an incredibly high degree—I could only wish that Britton were still around to experience the power and speed of a contemporary, long-range cruising yacht. I have no doubt that he’d be amazed, but that sweet little Tartan 27 of his was the inspiration for all that followed.

• More: Print March 2024 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats , tartan yachts
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Common Issues With Tartan Yacht Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

October 4, 2022

Key Takeaways

• Tartan Yachts have a great history with quality designs
• Some older Tartans have issues that cannot be ignored in the deck, equipment, and galley
• Pay attention to the condition of the hull and engine
• A thorough inspection is needed before any purchase is made

‍ Tartan Yachts has had many designs over the years that have received positive reception. However, there are some common issues with Tartan Yachts.

Common issues with Tartan Yachts include an aluminum steel plate subject to galvanic corrosion, dark and narrow galleys, the outer layer of the hull is aged, and the cored deck. In addition, there was a serious incident years ago involving a boat that nearly sank due to a crack in the hull.

According to experienced sailors that own a Tartan sailboat, they have to be treated just like every other boat. This means doing the research before anyone decides to buy and maintain it if owning one.

Table of contents

‍ Tartan Yachts Issues

There are a handful of Tartan Yacht sailboats that are perfectly fine in design. The few that commonly have issues are the Tartan 3400, Tartan 3700, and the Tartan 4100.

Surprisingly, the older model Tartan’s were not the ones that had the issues compared to the slightly newer ones. The one’s designed in the 1990’s by Tim Jackett seem to be a recurring thing.

Age and Corrosion

For some boats, 20 years is just the beginning when it comes to life expectancy. However, some Tartan models have needed a little love when sailors are considering a boat with some nautical miles on it.

When looking at a Tartan, I would check the standing rigging, mast hardware, and the chainplates. Corrosion of the electrical system is another problem that needs to be addressed if inspected.

Furthermore, some have an aluminum plate that sped along production. There will likely be a lot of aluminum on the deck in some models.

This, along with dissimilar metals, causes galvanic corrosion. When this happens, it can cause the bolts to strip and make the hull-deck joint potentially fail.

Narrow Spaces and Galleys

Some Tartan’s have an issue of storage and tight galleys. The older models seemed to not focus on the space provided below deck or other areas on the boat.

For instance, there is not enough storage for a propane locker. Some even have low companionways that make it difficult to move around. This makes living aboard full time potentially an issue, including other issues at hand.

Reports have shown that they even used inexpensive materials to craft the galleys. Not only is the space limited, but it is not the best material.

Living full time on a sailboat is arguably more popular now than ever. Some boats’ designs did not have this as a priority, so the attention was simply not there.

Worn Out Hull

Sun damage to the hull is likely to happen to any boat that is older, so this process has to be taken care of over the years. For most casual sailors, this might be overlooked.

If considering a Tartan, I would definitely check the hull for cracks and imperfections. The gel coat previously used might have issues and visible hard spots could be apparent.

A manufacturer deficiency nearly caused a Tartan 3700 to sink in late 2006. Thankfully sailors acted quickly and called for help to be safely extracted.

The overlap between both of the molding sides did not meet lamination specs. This oversight in the construction process allowed a crack to form during normal use of the boat, causing it to take on water. It is important to check any hull, regardless of age.

A lot of older Tartan models used a cored deck instead of full fiberglass. While cored decks are appealing to the eye, they potentially have issues.

If the core soaks enough water, it will delaminate the outer fiberglass layers. This causes it to lose strength and change how it responds to pressure when underway.

This will likely need a professional boat inspection to conclude whether or not it is in good condition. To a trained eye, they will be able to tell the condition.

Not as Comfortable or Convenient

During their time of being built, Tartan Yachts were the affordable version of the Nautor Swan sailboats. The demand for these boats was quite strong, with roughly 500 of the 37 models being built in 1987.

As time passed, they continued to design other models for speed and not pay attention to other areas of the boat. For example, the anchoring system is a bit of a hassle compared to other methods used on various boats.

Everyone will have their own way of making life easier on board. Tartan just happened to have some models that were not as convenient.

Not as Fast

Tartan Yachts are able to sail fast, but only when given the right conditions. Their older models are typically larger and slower than other competitors.

For those that want a Tartan for racing, they might be let down. Older Tartans are not equipped to be a racer like the newer ones are.

Tips on Buying a Tartan Yacht

When considering a Tartan Yacht for personal use, sailors have to be honest about a variety of factors. I would personally inspect the condition of the boat as well as if it fits my budget. Do not be afraid to walk away from a deal if it does not make sense.

There are plenty of boats on the market to choose from, so no impulse buys either. Furthermore, I would take it out on the water during quality wind to see how it performed.

A budget is likely the determining factor for many sailors considering a sailboat. Tartans have held their value over the years, with an average price of $50,000 for older models.

I would also factor in maintenance costs per year for the boat, as well as any potential upgrades that it needs before it is able to sail. If some are not needed right away, this could be included in the equation.

When visiting any marina or checking online, it is important to determine what a good price is for a particular brand and model. In addition, sailors also need to examine current finances to see what is affordable.

A loan for a boat will take some time to put together. Being patient with the process is great to allow anyone the chance to inspect the boat.

Current Condition

If a Tartan has recently been through a “recent refit”, it is important to know that cosmetics are not everything when it comes to performance. While a boat is appealing to the eye when it is cleaned up, this should not be the main selling point.

Instead, I would look to see if new sails have been added, new lines, updates to the electrical system, or if the cored deck has been replaced. Paint often hides corrosion or imperfections, so I would check thoroughly if it has been repainted. These will save time and money down the road.

Depending on how old the boat is, it might be time for a new engine. I would consider what is already available and rebuild if possible.

Some Tartans might need new equipment such as electric winches or replacing an old compass. It is crucial to check the condition of items like these in order to ensure proper sailing.

Larger Galley

Depending on how sailors might use a Tartan, a larger galley could be beneficial. This might mean that a larger Tartan will be in the mix versus a smaller one to acquire a larger galley.

If I were living aboard a Tartan, I would need to accommodate my living space in addition to a crew. There will need to be plenty of room for supplies and essentials for traveling. Without enough room to properly store food or eat, this will make long distances almost impossible to travel.

Every sailor will have a different preference on size. Luckily, Tartan has a few models that do not differ that much in size.

Do Not Get Stuck on Perfect

Every boat is going to have an imperfection somewhere. It is important to understand this so that any potential buyer does not avoid boats that need a little work.

The perfect sailboat does not exist because everyone has different tastes. The best thing to do is find something that works for a specific sailing goal, while also keeping in mind that it could take a little maintenance to get going.

Being afraid of continuing maintenance is a recipe for disaster. Every boat will need love and attention at some point.

Purpose of Boat

What is the main purpose for purchasing a Tartan? Some sailors might want to cruise, live on them, or use it sparingly over a weekend. While they were popular in the 90’s, they are not considered a collector’s item.

Depending on sailing goals, Tartan has plenty to offer for any of those categories. If I were to sail long term, I would look for plenty of space for storage and how it handles offshore sailing. The point is to narrow down exact goals for long term use.

How it Handles Under Power

If taking a Tartan on a test sail, I would inspect how well it responds to the wind. A good 12 to 15 knots of wind is perfect for a boat this size to get a sense of what it is capable of doing. Anything less might make the boat difficult to sail.

I would also inspect the engine and determine how old it is. Check how it works in calmer waters or around the dock. Previous owners could potentially have harmed it with a lack of preventative maintenance.

Avoid Teak Decks

Some Tartans, if they have been restored, might have teak decks. Some even have teak seats, which are another expense to repair or replace.

While these are appealing to look at, it does not affect the performance of the boat. If purchasing a used one, it could make the price more expensive. It also makes the deck quite hot in warmer climates with a lot of sun.

After roughly 15 years, these have to be replaced and can cost a pretty penny. It is best to stick with original material or consider repairing what has already been used.

Type of Naval Architect

Tartan has had a handful of boat designers over the years. When narrowing down a specific boat model in a Tartan, it is important to see who made it.

The older models that had plenty of issues were built by Tim Jackett. However, it was typically during those few years and he has since made plenty of quality builds over the years.

Issues with Keel

One of the most crucial inspections on a boat is the keel. Sailors will need to check bilge area fore and aft outside of the keel.

Mishandling by grounding, incorrect hauling, or improper storage could affect the life of the keel. In addition, the bolts and flexibility of the hull could have been harmed by previous owners.

To check if the keel and hull have issues, look for the engine to see if it is out of line or if there is a gap in between the deadwood and ballast. Some sailors have chosen to reinforce the bilge area and the spots on the hull in which poppets take the brunt of the weight in dry storage. If purchasing from a previous owner, I would ask how they stored the boat.

Where to Find Quality Tartan Yachts

Tartan Yachts was founded in 1971 by Charlie Britton, with headquarters in Painesville, Ohio. They still continue to make quality builds that anyone can put to use in their sailing goals.

For buying new or used models, sailors can search online or at their local marina that sells boats. The most common places to find Tartan sailboats are in the US, mainly in California, New York, and Florida.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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• Sailboat Guide

Tartan Yachts

Founded by Charles Britton who bought out what was left of Douglass & McLeod Plastic Corporation when their factory was completely destroyed by fire in 1971.

Associations

• Tartan Owners Website
• Tartan 10 (USA)
• Soverel 33 Class Association
• Tartan 30 Association (Chesapeake)
• Britton Chance
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• Sparkman & Stephens
• Tim Jackett

50 sailboats built by Tartan Yachts

Tartan 34 C

Tartan 37 (S&S)

Tartan 34-2

Tartan 3000

Soverel 33 (1983)

Tartan 27-2

Tartan 3800

Black Watch 37

Tartan Tock 40

Tartan 40 offshore.

Tartan Pride 270

Tartan 33 r.

Tartan 31 Piper

Tartan 41 passagemaker.

Tartan Tangent One

Tartan 3700, tartan 4000, tartan 3100.

Tartan 27 Yawl

Tartan Fantail 26

Tartan 37 (hood).

Tartan 4600

Tartan 33 (hull 1-20).

Tartan 4100

Tartan 4300

Tartan 4700

Tartan 3400

Tartan 4400

Tartan 28 Piper

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. CheapRussia Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Kite School Kiteclass

5. Akvanavt Diving Centre

6. Easy Russia Tour Guide

7. Moscow River Boat Tours

8. Erwin. Reka

9. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

10. SUP Center

11. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Alfa Centr

14. MORE MOSCOW

15. Sup Outdoor

16. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

17. Soho Sailing Style

18. Dive-Project

19. Diving Club Divers

21. S-cruises

22. Morskiye Volki

23. Kayak Moscow

24. Diving Center Crocodile

25. Insider Moscow Tours

26. Mosparokhodstvo

27. russian travel and tours

28. windschool.

30. FLOW Moscow

What travelers are saying.

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium