Design and Construction
Jackett’s 3800 draws on a hull hand-laminated from unidirectional E glass with balsa core in the topsides and a solid laminate below the waterline, while the deck is fiberglass with balsa core substituted by solid laminate and backing plates where hardware bolts through. The deck is sealed to an inward hull flange with 3M 5200 polyurethane adhesive, and the wood toe rail screws tap into a 6061 T-6 aluminum strip glassed into that flange — a structural detail that explains the boat’s documented enduring build quality rather than mere cosmetic toughness. Both hull and deck carry interior liners, and the overhead uses removable cover panels for targeted deck-gear access, with the entire overhead removable if needed. The hull carries ABS-approved plans with an optional ABS certificate available. On deck, the traditional cabin house and excellent non-skid made moving around easy, while exterior teak toe rails, handholds, and Dorade boxes lent proper yacht ambience — finished not with varnish but with Sikkens Setol penetrating oil. Ventilation is generous, with four Dorade boxes, four Lewmar hatches, and 11 stainless opening portlights.
Rig and Handling
The 3800 is rigged with a keel-stepped aluminum mast by Offshore Spars, carrying in-line double spreaders and continuous wire rigging, plus a permanent baby stay to the lower spreaders that stabilizes against pumping without running backstays. Mainsheet, traveler, halyards, and reef lines lead to size-32 winches and stoppers on the aft cabin house, with the traveler just forward of the dodger so both can be worked from the cabin top; Harken 48 self-tailing jib-sheet winches sit sensibly for either helmsman or crew. Test sailors found the boat responsive and forgiving, hove to easily, and tacked through 80 to 85 degrees with full-battened main and genoa in up to 15 knots. With the standard 5'4" shoal-draft “beavertail” keel and a two-bladed fixed propeller, she sailed very well and proved quite stiff, not dramatically heeled in 20 knots, and after reefing maintained speed with less helm. Boat of the Year judges noted the steering seemed a bit numb, perhaps from a slightly overbalanced spade rudder. A 6'10" high-lift elliptical keel was available for higher performance.
Accommodations
Below, the teak-trimmed interior provides two cabins and two heads in the standard layout, with one double stateroom forward and one aft; the reviewed boat showed only one head but added a washbasin in the forward stateroom as a handy convenience. The head layout is thoughtful, with a separate shower stall and wet locker. The galley places its sink close to centerline for good draining on either tack, and the icebox is large and deep with top and front openings, though shelf provisions need forethought for access. A quirk survives in the stove, which gimballed 40 degrees to port but only 25 to starboard due to easily remedied trim interference. Cedar-lined hanging lockers use “finger through a hole” latches rather than push buttons, a possible concern in bumpy conditions. The chart table faces forward in a generous niche, side panels oppose errant spray in the galley and nav areas, and the compact cockpit proved comfortable and functional with five aboard, the wheel easy to step around. Tankage is adequate: 38-gallon fuel, 80-gallon water, and 24-gallon holding.
Known Issues
The documented foibles are minor and mostly correctable. The old-style locker latches may release in motion; the starboard stove gimbal limit is easily fixed with trim modification; and the icebox shelving demands planned stowage. Bronze seacocks throughout speak to resilient through-hull practice, and the engine is readily serviced by lifting molded companionway steps plus two side-panel doors.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership favors the hands-on cruiser: standard equipment already includes teak interior, Corian counters, and shore power, with a long standard-feature list and short options list. The 37-horsepower Westerbeke four-cylinder diesel is the documented auxiliary, easily accessed for service. Tartan could build the boat in eight to ten weeks, and the 3800 continues the marque’s tradition of solid, honest cruising boats with enough performance for passage making and club-level racing.
The Verdict
The Tartan 3800 is a limited-production Jackett design that pairs genuine cruising livability with performance-cruiser responsiveness, built to a structural standard that justifies its enduring reputation. Minor accommodation details are the only documented soft spots.
Pros
- Hand-laminated E-glass hull with below-waterline solid laminate and aluminum-reinforced toe-rail flange
- Stiff, forgiving handling with shoal or high-lift keel options and clean cabin-top control layout
- Thoughtful ventilation, separate shower stall, centerline draining galley sink, and accessible diesel
Cons
- Stove gimbal limited to 25 degrees starboard without trim correction
- Hanging-locker latches are old-fashioned and potentially insecure in motion
- Steering feel slightly numb per period test, traced to spade-rudder balance
