Design and Construction
The 4000’s foam-cored hull is vacuum-infused with epoxy resin. The process produces a strong, light laminate with a 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, according to Sail Magazine.
The deck is also resin-infused, but it uses an end-grain balsa core. Before the resin is poured, aluminum backing plates are set into the mold. Winches and other hardware therefore bear on solid, embedded foundations rather than on the cored sandwich.
At the hull-to-deck joint, an inward-turning flange is through-bolted and bonded with 5200 adhesive. Inside, molded fiberglass floors are laminated to the hull to carry keel and rig loads. The rudder is E-glass wrapped around a carbon-fiber rudderpost, while the rig itself is carbon fiber—another Tartan standard by the time the 4000 appeared.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
Tartan spent years refining what it calls the Cruise Control Rig. On the 4000, the rig performs well and is easy to manage.
The test boat carried a full-batten main and a 155 percent genoa. In just over six knots of apparent wind, it glided along at 4.5 knots, accelerating to 5 knots in an 8.5-knot puff. The boat was perfectly balanced and happy to sail itself. When the crew furled the genoa and unfurled the self-tacking blade jib on the inner forestay, the boat turned decisively through short tacks and quickly regained speed.
The mainsail drops easily on its Harken Battcar system. A single-line lazy-jack arrangement and wide-pocket boom gather the sail without fuss.
One quirk of the flexible Cruise Control Rig appears when gybing: the reacher tends to catch on the inner forestay. Testers regarded this as a small price for the rig’s adaptability rather than a defect, but buyers should know that the maneuver requires careful timing or furling the sail.
Cockpit and Deck
Twin helm stations aft are cozy without feeling restrictive. The custom-molded carbon steering pedestals are left open, freeing legroom in the cockpit, and the benches are long enough for a six-footer to stretch out.
The deck layout is well thought out and well executed. It includes molded bulwarks, good side decks, sturdy handholds, molded nonskid, and guardrails around a pair of Dorade vents. The foredeck provides a good-sized working area near the bow, while a beefy anchor roller carries the hook clear of the stem.
A deep, balanced spade rudder and a folding propeller on a saildrive unit complete the steering and drive package.
Interior and Accommodations
Below, abundant varnished cherry creates a traditional, shippy atmosphere. Handrails are fitted where they’re needed, and the wraparound galley provides braces for cooking underway.
Engine access is excellent, and stowage includes several large hanging lockers. The test boat also had an extra set of flip-down sea berths in the saloon.
Headroom is 6 feet 5 inches. The forward berths measure 6 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 4 inches, while the aft berths are 6 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 8 inches.
Engine and Systems
Under power, the standard 55hp Volvo saildrive with a three-blade folding propeller pushed the test boat at 6.5 knots at 2,000 rpm, 8.3 knots at 2,800 rpm, and a top speed of 9.2 knots at 3,200 rpm. The test boat also carried an optional 75hp turbo with a four-blade folding propeller.
Tankage is 50 gallons of fuel, 100 gallons of water, and 20 gallons of waste. Electrical capacity consists of a 90 amp-hour engine battery and twin 220 amp-hour house banks.
Keels and Specifications
The Tartan 4000 is available with three keel configurations: a deep fin, a shoal-draft fin with a beavertail bulb, and a keel-centerboard combination. The three keel options span 4ft 9in to 7ft 6in of draft.
Displacement ranges from 19,604 pounds with the deep keel to 21,104 pounds with the centerboard. Ballast rises from 6,400 to 8,600 pounds across the available configurations.
The boat carries a 13-foot beam on a 36-foot-5-inch waterline. Sail area is 890 square feet with the main and self-tacking jib, producing a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 181.
The Verdict
The Tartan 4000 is a genuinely dual-purpose 40-footer. Its carbon rig, infused epoxy hull, and thoughtful deck and interior allow a couple or a large family to cruise comfortably, while the boat sails like something smaller and quicker than its length suggests.
Jackett’s layout makes the cockpit and cabin feel larger than the numbers imply. Tartan’s personalization program also means that individual boats vary in their finished details.
Pros
- Infused foam-core hull with a 65/35 glass-to-resin ratio, producing a light, stiff laminate
- Carbon rig and Cruise Control setup that sails well and short-tacks easily
- Excellent engine access, proper sea berths, and a wraparound working galley
- Three keel options spanning 4ft 9in to 7ft 6in of draft
Cons
- The reacher can catch on the inner forestay during a gybe
- Centerboard and shoal versions carry notably more ballast and displacement
