Tartan 44 Information, Review, Specs

Tartan Yachts, under the leadership of Charles "Charlie" Britton, consistently aimed to deliver vessels renowned for their robust construction, thoughtful design, and exhilarating sailing characteristics. The Tartan 44 embodies this ethos from an era when the company was establishing its reputation for integrating fiberglass construction with performance-oriented designs.

History and Design

The Tartan 44's production began in 1974. As a Sparkman & Stephens design, the boat emerged from a philosophy that prioritized both competitive sailing performance and seaworthiness, characteristic of the International Offshore Rule era. Sparkman & Stephens, known for their influential racing yacht designs, brought a heritage of speed and balance to the Tartan 44.

During this period, Tartan Marine, officially established by Charles Britton in 1971, was a pioneer in fiberglass boat construction, having embraced the material for its durability and design flexibility since the Tartan 27 in 1960. The company's manufacturing ethos focused on robust build quality, which included solid fiberglass hulls. The Tartan 44 itself featured solid fiberglass hull and deck materials, a hallmark of Tartan's commitment to sturdy construction. Notably, the hull weight of the Tartan 44 was reportedly less than its predecessors due to a different layup technique. While significant variations like MkI vs. MkII are not widely documented for this specific, low-production model, Tartan has been known to employ hull variations across its lines. It is important to distinguish this early Tartan 44 from the later and more numerous Tartan 4400, a distinct model designed by Tim Jackett, which saw production in the 2000s.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Tartan 44 is configured as a masthead sloop, a rig type known for its efficiency, particularly in upwind performance. With a length overall of just over 43 feet (43.11 ft) and a waterline length of 32.67 feet, she boasts a calculated hull speed of approximately 7.66 knots.

Analyzing its performance ratios provides insight into its sailing characteristics. The Tartan 44 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/Disp) of 17.67. This figure suggests a moderately powered vessel, indicating respectable performance in lighter air conditions without being overly tender in a breeze. Its Displacement to Length ratio (Disp/LWL) is 240.69, placing it in the medium displacement category. This suggests a boat capable of comfortable cruising while retaining the ability to sail efficiently, rather than being an extreme light-displacement racer or a heavy, traditional cruiser. Owners and observers have noted that the Tartan 44 sails well, both in terms of absolute speed and relative to its IOR rating. While the exact ballast-to-displacement ratio is not available, Tartan's general reputation for solid lead keels implies a design intended for stability and stiffness, enabling the boat to stand up to significant wind. The boat features a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration typically offering a good balance of lift, control, and protection for the rudder blade.

Accommodations and Layout

Information specific to the interior layout of the early production Tartan 44 is scarce due to its limited build run. However, general Tartan design principles emphasize a blend of performance-oriented design with comfortable cruising capabilities, appealing to sailors seeking both speed and liveability. Later Tartan models, such as the Tartan 4400, have been praised for their interior quality, often featuring amenities like a teak and holly cabin sole and cherry-faced joinery. These later models commonly offer versatile layouts, including options for multiple cabins and heads. While direct comparisons should be made cautiously, it is reasonable to expect that even earlier Tartans, including the 44, adhered to a similar standard of quality and thoughtful arrangement for their intended use as performance cruisers, maximizing available space for living and storage within the hull form.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of Tartan yachts, in general, often express strong loyalty and form active communities, such as the Tartan Owners Northeast (TONE). While direct feedback for the very limited production Tartan 44 is rare, the brand's reputation for "heirloom quality" yachts, known for their robust construction and excellent sailing performance, is widely acknowledged. Owners frequently praise Tartans for their solid build and comfortable motion in a seaway.

Common points of discussion among Tartan owners for various models can include issues such as potential galvanic corrosion on aluminum steel plates and, on older boats, the aging of the outer layer of the hull. Some Tartan owners have noted issues with fuel vent systems causing difficulties during refueling. While specific to the 44, issues with rudder systems, particularly the hollow fiberglass rudder and skeg with a solid stainless steel rudderstock, have been mentioned in general discussions about older fiberglass boats. However, Tartan is not typically associated with systemic fiberglass problems, and overall, owner sentiment for the brand emphasizes durability and quality construction.