Design and Construction
The 4100 has a hand-laid hull, with solid fiberglass below the waterline and Baltek balsa coring above—a scheme that keeps impact resistance low and reduces weight aloft. The vacuum-bagged laminate alternates strand mat with unidirectional E-glass. Isophthalic polyester and vinylester resins are specified to resist blistering.
The deck is also balsa-cored. Pressure-laminate bulkheads are tabbed to the hull with mat and roving, as is the floor grid. At the sheer, the hull-to-deck seam is bedded in 3M 5200 and through-bolted to an aluminum bar, following a Tartan practice used for more than 20 years.
The rudders are foam-cored fiberglass on 304 stainless-steel stocks. The lead-ballasted hull carries an efficient, high-aspect spade rudder. Buyers could choose among three keels: a deep fin, a moderate-draft beavertail, or a shoal-draft centerboard.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The 4100 carries a double-spreader masthead rig with slightly swept-back spreaders. Its inboard chainplates sit near the cabin sides, allowing the genoa to sheet at narrow angles. The mast and boom came from Offshore Spars, while the split backstay leaves the stern swim steps clear.
Deck organizers lead the mainsail control lines aft to the cockpit, where Harken two-speed self-tailing winches predominate. A rigid vang replaces the topping lift, which the original reviewers considered a genuine safety advantage.
Test sailors found the boat sticky in light air, as flat-bottomed hulls tend to be. Even so, in 10 knots she sailed at 30–35 degrees apparent while making 4.5–5 knots. Footing off to 65 degrees in 18 knots raised her speed above 8 knots. Under a full main and 110% genoa in 22 knots, she touched 9.5 knots on a close reach. With the genoa blanketed at 120 degrees, she held 8.5 knots while remaining flat and comfortable.
She tacked through an estimated 90 degrees and showed only a hint of weather helm at 15 knots. Her longer waterline pays off downwind: she would cover the distance from San Francisco to Honolulu at least a day faster than the 3700. Her greater weight also gives her an easier offshore ride.
Accommodations
The saloon measures 9.75 feet long by 7.5 feet wide, with 6-foot 5-inch headroom. Two 70-inch settees flank a centerline table whose raised leaves create a 44-by-34-inch surface.
At the foot of the companionway, Jackett placed a centerline island opposite the L-shaped galley. On the 4100, this 48-by-42-inch island holds twin stainless-steel sinks. A tilt-up counter can close off the galley completely. The portside galley is U-shaped and fitted with a Force 10 three-burner stove and Formica counters; a Corian-like solid surface was optional.
The starboard navigation station faces outboard and provides a work surface measuring 25–27 by 35–39 inches.
Queen berths are fitted fore and aft. The aft cabin has a solid door, a teak-and-holly sole, cedar-lined cabinets, and more than six feet of headroom. Forward, the berth measures 82 by 77 inches, with 6-foot 3-inch headroom. The head is 76 by 48 inches, also with 6-foot 3-inch headroom, and its folding shower door stows against the hull.
Deck and Equipment
The side decks provide a clear width of 24 inches. Double lifelines, stanchions, and pulpits stand 27 inches high, while teak handrails run along both sides of the cabin top.
Six stainless-steel portlights line each side. Large hatches sit over the living spaces and head, with Dorade vents ahead of the traveler. A twin anchor roller is offset from the centerline.
The cockpit has a destroyer wheel connected to a Whitlock steering system, along with a Ritchie compass. A teak table folds flush against the pedestal. Engine controls are within easy reach of the helm. The well-insulated engine compartment allowed testers to converse below in normal voices while under way.
Verdict
The Tartan 4100 is a thoughtfully engineered Jackett cruiser. It gives up some liveliness in light air in return for genuine offshore composure, a quiet machinery space, and a bright, sociable interior organized around an unusual companionway island.
Pros
- Solid-fiberglass bottom, balsa-cored topsides, and vacuum-bagged E-glass laminate designed for blister resistance
- Inboard chainplates and swept spreaders that allow narrow sheeting angles and good pointing
- Three keel options, including a shoal-draft centerboard
- 125-degree positive stability range, with a flat, buoyant motion in a seaway
- U-shaped port galley with an enclosable island
- Queen berths fore and aft
Cons
- Flat-bottomed hull feels sticky in light air
- Balsa-cored deck requires vigilance around leaks at fasteners
