Design and Construction
Jackett’s hull engineering centers on an oven-cured epoxy hull paired with a teak toe-rail, the epoxy approach reflecting Tartan’s 2002 turn to vacuum-infused BPA-modified epoxy resin as standard. What distinguishes the 3400 below the waterline is a threesome of keels that are truly interchangeable: deep fin, shoal keel, or centerboard. Even the 6’6” bulbed fin is relatively conservative, while the Beavertail shoal draft was developed over a decade ago as a shallower alternative. The rudder is elliptical and well aft for maximum steering leverage, a geometry that trades a modest footprint for decisive command in a seaway. At 34.42 feet overall with an 11.92-foot beam and 10,800 pounds of displacement against 3,500 pounds of lead ballast, the 32.41 percent ballast-displacement ratio and 171.28 displacement-length ratio place her firmly in the modern moderate-displacement cruiser-racer band rather than the心 heavy voyager class.
Rig and Handling
The rig is where the dual-purpose intent becomes concrete. A double-spreader carbon spar is thus lighter, cleaner, and more controllable than a conventional aluminum extrusion, topped by an innovative carbon boom and full battens in the mainsail. The jib is tall, nearly masthead, in a 6/16 arrangement that provides maximum leading edge, and a self-tacking jib simplifies short-handed upwind work. The optional “Q”-sail—a lightweight roller-furling reacher—adds tremendous horsepower and remarkable versatility without a conventional spinnaker change. Under canvas in light wind, test sailors found she tacked through 100 degrees with the working jib, and she never lost steerage, always maintaining a wake even when the air died. Speed under power was good, with the Yanmar saildrive unit excelling at what saildrives do best and the engine turning over six knots at three-quarter throttle; engine access was much better than on many conventional inboards.
Accommodations
Below, the living area is defined by a stand-alone sink to port of the companionway, a conspicuous cherry deck support pole, and a white overhead accented with cherry battens that brightens the area belowdecks. Double-deep drawers beneath the aft berth and double hatches providing ventilation in the forecabin show a thoughtful storage-and-airflow plan. Testers liked the positive closing latches on all the lockers, and the standard fan in the aftercabin addresses warm-night airflow. The separate sump with its own pump for grey water in the bilge is a detail rarely seen in boats this size and keeps odors away from the main bilge. Legroom in the saloon was more than enough for a six-footer, and the noise level below was better than average—a measurable comfort gain from the saildrive and epoxy hull pairing rather than a styling claim. The electrical panel got high marks. Against those strengths, the side-opening fridge still gives pause, the elbow room in the head was minimal, the chart table wasn’t as big as testers would like, and fiddles generally were too low for serious stowage.
Known Issues
The published survey records no structural defects or systemic failures for the 3400. The flagged items are ergonomic rather than safety-related: confined head proportions, a compact chart table, low fiddles, and a fridge layout that testers viewed with reservation. The grey-water sump with dedicated pump is a mitigation feature, not a fault, and there are no documented flooding paths or drainage deficiencies to inspect beyond normal age-related seal maintenance.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership considerations are shaped by the interchangeable keel system, which lets a buyer tailor draft to cruising grounds without a new hull. The carbon spar and boom demand carbon-compatible rigging knowledge at replacement time, and the saildrive invites scheduled seal service rather than the simpler shaft log of a conventional inboard, though testers judged access far superior to typical inboards.
The Verdict
The Tartan 3400 is a coherent Jackett expression of the marque’s modern epoxy-and-carbon direction: interchangeable keels, carbon rig, and a belowdecks plan that prioritizes cherry-accented brightness and serious locker security over a large nav station. She sails cleanly through 100 degrees in light air and keeps a wake when others stall, yet her head and chart table remain compromises a buyer should accept with eyes open.
Pros
- Interchangeable deep fin, shoal, or centerboard keels for draft flexibility
- Lighter, cleaner double-spreader carbon spar with innovative carbon boom
- Self-tacking jib and optional roller-furling “Q”-sail for shorthanded range
- Separate grey-water sump with own pump; positive latch lockers; bright cherry interior
- Better-than-average noise level below; excellent saildrive engine access
Cons
- Minimal elbow room in the head
- Chart table smaller than testers preferred
- Fiddles too low for serious stowage
- Side-opening fridge layout gave testers pause
