Design and Construction
The 4000's hull is vacuum-infused with a foam core and epoxy resin, a process that yields a strong yet light glass-to-resin ratio of 65 percent glass to 35 percent resin, a markedly leaner mix than the 25-percent-glass layups common in many non-infused hulls anchor. The deck is likewise resin-infused, but with an end-grain balsa core, and aluminum backing plates are set into the mold before the resin is poured so that winches and other hardware bear on a solid embedded foundation rather than on a cored sandwich. Where hull meets deck, the joint turns inward on a flange, through-bolted and bonded with 5200 adhesive. Inside, a series of molded fiberglass floors is laminated to the hull to carry rig and keel loads, and the rudder is E-glass wrapped around a carbon-fiber rudderpost. The rig itself is carbon fiber, another Tartan standard by the time this boat appeared.
Rig and Handling
Tartan spent years refining what it calls the Cruise Control Rig, and on the 4000 it performs and manages easily. The test boat hoisted a full-batten main and a 155 percent genoa, and in just over six knots of apparent wind it glided along at 4.5 knots, jumping to 5 knots in an 8.5-knot puff. Perfectly balanced, the boat was happy to sail itself, and when the crew rolled up the genoa and unfurled the self-tacking blade jib on the inner forestay, short-tacking brought decisive turns and quick recovery of speed. The main drops effortlessly on its Harken Battcar system, and a single-line lazy jack rig with a wide pocket boom gathers the sail without fuss. Under power, the standard 55hp Volvo saildrive with a three-blade folder pushed the test boat at 6.5 knots at 2,000 rpm, reaching 8.3 at 2,800 and a top of 9.2 at 3,200; the test boat also carried an optional 75hp turbo with a four-blade folder. A deep balanced spade rudder and a folding prop on a saildrive unit complete the steering and drive package.
Accommodations
Twin helm stations aft are cozy without being restrictive, and the custom-molded carbon steering pedestals are left open to free up legroom in the cockpit, where benches run long enough for a six-footer to stretch out. The deck arrangement is a well-thought-out, well-executed plan with molded bulwarks, good side decks, sturdy handholds, molded nonskid, and guardrails protecting a pair of Dorade vents; the foredeck is a good size for working up near the bow, and a beefy anchor roller carries the hook clear of the stem. Below, an abundance of varnished cherry gives a shippy feel, handrails sit wherever they are needed, and the wraparound galley has braces for cooking underway. Engine access is excellent, stowage includes several large hanging lockers, and the test boat gained an extra set of flip-down sea berths in the saloon. Headroom is 6 feet 5 inches, with forward berths 6 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 4 inches and aft berths 6 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 8 inches.
Keels and Specifications
Three keels are available for the Tartan 4000, including a deep fin, a shoal-draft fin with a beavertail bulb, and a keel-centerboard combination anchor. Displacement runs from 19,604 pounds on the deep keel to 21,104 on the centerboard, with ballast climbing from 6,400 to 8,600 pounds. The beam is 13 feet on a 36-foot-5-inch waterline, and the sail plan of 890 square feet with main and self-tacking jib reflects a sail-area-displacement ratio of 20 against a displacement-length ratio of 181. Fuel is 50 gallons, water 100, and waste 20, with 90 amp-hour engine and twin 220 amp-hour house banks.
Known Issues
One quirk of the flexible Cruise Control Rig is that the reacher tends to catch on the inner forestay when gybing; testers treated it as a small price for the rig's adaptability rather than a defect, but a buyer should know the move needs timing or a furl.
The Verdict
The Tartan 4000 is a genuinely dual-purpose 40-footer: carbon rig, infused epoxy hull, and a thoughtful deck and interior that let a couple or a large family cruise in comfort while the boat sails like something smaller and quicker than its length. Jackett's layout makes the cockpit and cabin live larger than the numbers suggest, and Tartan's personalization program means individual boats vary in finished detail.
Pros
- Infused foam-core hull with a 65/35 glass-resin ratio for a light, stiff laminate
- Carbon rig and Cruise Control setup that sails and short-tacks easily
- Excellent engine access, real sea berths, and a wraparound working galley
- Three keel options spanning 4ft 9in to 7ft 6in draft
Cons
- Reacher can hang up on the inner forestay during a gybe
- Centerboard and shoal versions carry notably higher ballast and displacement
