Tartan 31 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Hull Form and Design Philosophy

The Tartan 31's hull is defined by plenty of flare to the topsides amidships and a broad powerful stern, a combination that produces a boat that may feel a little tender initially but the flare will give it a big stability shoulder to rest on once the heel angle gets past 10 degrees. The eleven-foot beam — one foot more than the old Tartan 30 — creates a distinct turn at the bilge for less wetted surface in light air, and stability when the wind rises and the boat digs in. With a D/L ratio of 229, this is a medium-displacement design that sits comfortably between pure racing machine and full-bore passage maker.

Both appendages carry elliptical trailing edges, and the boat was offered with either a standard six-foot fin keel or a shoal-draft alternative drawing four feet four inches. The original shoal option was a Scheel keel; the later Piper revision introduced the Beaver Tail, a design with NACA foil sections for greater lift and a somewhat flattened bulb intended to create an endplate effect and reduce drag. By concentrating ballast lower, the Beaver Tail provides the same righting moment with 300 pounds less ballast.

Rig and Sail Handling

The double-spreader masthead rig carries just over 500 square feet of sail and an SA/D ratio of 18.67 — a good balance for racing and cruising. One of the defining features of the Tartan 31's rig is its dramatic prebend in the spar, a technique that allows a smaller and lighter spar section while accepting a more flexible mast. The Piper revision moved to swept-back spreaders, eliminating the babystay and opening the door for a self-tacking jib option alongside the standard 135-percent genoa.

All sail control lines are led aft to housetop-mounted winches, while traveler controls also live on the cabin top. The helm is an Edson Destroyer-type wheel with a helm seat raised slightly for a better view, an arrangement owners have praised for comfort on extended watches. No talk of reefing on this boat until the winds are well over 20 knots, and the boat has been reported comfortable in 35 to 40 knots under a double reef.

Performance Under Sail

The 31's reputation on the racecourse is grounded in a genuinely balanced sail plan and thoughtful attention to keel design. Windward sailing is the 31's best point of sail, aided by inboard shroud placement that improves upwind trim angles. On a beam reach in moderate air, a respectable 5-plus knots in about 10 knots of wind is achievable. Downwind the boat handles well, though it is least effective on a broad reach, especially when seas build up. Under PHRF the design rates between 141 and 153, comparing favorably to contemporary cruisers that were widely marketed as performance boats.

Owners seeking to extract more from the rig in light air are advised that adjusting the bendy mast and experimenting with sail trim may be necessary, and performance-focused sailors should consider an optional hydraulic or mechanical backstay adjuster.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior is one of the Tartan 31's more divisive subjects. Bob Perry's design review noted that the angled bulkheads may be effective, but they look disorderly, creating a visual cacophony that takes time to absorb. Practically, though, the features are all there — a large forward double, a double quarterberth aft, a big chart table, and a U-shaped galley designed for offshore use.

The quarter berth at 7 feet by 5 feet is the most comfortable sleeping spot on the boat, while the forward V-berth runs about 6 feet 9 inches long and 6 feet 6 inches wide at the head but narrowing considerably. Standing headroom reaches 6 feet 2 inches in the main cabin and an even 6 feet in the forecabin. The Piper revision shifted the centerline table, opened a second door into the head from the main cabin, and redesigned the navigation station into a permanent, aft-facing arrangement that opened up the cabin tremendously. Notably, owners of the original version generally preferred their own layout over the Piper's — a sign that both arrangements work, just differently.

Engine access is exceptional. Swinging aside the companionway stairs allows access to all sides of the engine, including the rear, and even the stuffing box is readily accessible.

Construction Quality

Tartan's reputation rests significantly on build integrity, and the 31 upholds it. The hull is hand-laminated with alternating layers of chopped strand mat and unidirectional E glass, with a vinylester resin layer behind the NPG/ISO gelcoat for osmotic protection. Hull-to-deck joining follows traditional Tartan practice: through-bolting the length of the hull with stainless steel bolts driven every six or seven inches through the solid teak toerail into a molded-in aluminum backing strip, further bonded with 3M 5200 adhesive. The keel is secured by seven 3/4-inch stainless steel bolts and a thick bedding. Deck hardware is Harken and Lewmar throughout, with an Offshore Spars mast rising 48 feet 6 inches above the water.

Known Issues

The Tartan 31 is not without its maintenance vulnerabilities. Several owners complain about mast leaks, with at least one tracing the problem to the masthead and another requiring persistent bilge pumping as a result. One solution that has worked for some owners is liberal application of silicone sealer at the mast base. A separate owner reported a tie rod not being secured, though this was attributed to dealer assembly rather than a factory defect. Piper owners have also noted the absence of handy stern chocks as a practical inconvenience.

The Verdict

The Tartan 31 is an All-American mid-range cruiser, suitable for inland lake or coastal sailing that refuses to fully surrender to either racing or cruising priorities. That refusal is its greatest asset. The hull form, rig, and sail plan cohere into something genuinely versatile — fast enough to satisfy a competitive owner, stable and well-appointed enough for a family weekend. Build quality is exemplary by the standards of American production boatbuilding, and Tartans traditionally retain their value while benefiting from a builder known for strong post-sale service. The non-orthogonal interior will divide opinion, but it functions well once the eye adjusts.

Pros

Excellent upwind performance with inboard shrouds and a well-calibrated SA/D ratio
Exceptional construction quality with through-bolted hull-to-deck joint and vinylester blister barrier
Outstanding engine access via swing-aside companionway stairs
Shoal-draft Beaver Tail keel option preserves righting moment with reduced ballast
Comfortable helm seat and well-organized cockpit for extended passages

Cons