Design and Construction
Jackett's 4600 is a fiberglass hull with lead ballast and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 30.36 percent, a figure that edges ahead of roughly a quarter of comparable designs and gives her a sure footing without crossing into lead-laden bluewater extremes. Her displacement-length ratio of about 201 categorizes her among "moderate racers," and comparisons with peers show that two-thirds of similar sailboats are heavier. The hull was offered with three keel configurations — a fin keel drawing roughly 8.9 to 9.2 feet, a fin with bulb holding 5.5 to 5.8 feet, and a stub/centreboard arrangement at about 4.8 to 5.1 feet keel alternatives offered — so the same deck mold served both deep-draft sailors and those needing shallow access. The wetted surface runs about 688 square feet, and her immersion rate of roughly 1,978 pounds per inch means she sits sensibly to her load.
Rig and Handling
The 4600 is a masthead sloop carrying a reported 1,014 square feet of sail between main and jib, split almost evenly between a 508-square-foot main triangle and a 506-square-foot fore triangle. Her I measurement of 59.5 feet and J of 17 feet, with a forestay near 61.9 feet, describe a tall, moderate-overlap rig; reviews comparing her to peers found she carries more rig than 42 percent of similar sailboats, suggesting she is slightly underrigged. Performance indices bear this out: her sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.1 on the reference sail — 20.1 with a 135 percent genoa — means she is quicker than about 27 percent of similar designs in light wind. The theoretical displacement-hull speed is 8.4 knots, with a calculated max near 6.9; her capsize screening value of 1.86 to 1.89 and motion comfort ratio of about 30.9 place her as a steady, seakindly cruiser rather than a featherweight.
Accommodations
Below, the 4600 is laid out with two cabins and 4+2 berths, a galley, a toilet facility, and comfortable accommodations for the crew. She carries 150 gallons of fresh water and 182 liters of waste capacity, and reviews note her interior volume compares favorably — she is more spacious than 73 percent of similar sailboat designs roomier than most classmates — while her motion comfort ratio beats 42 percent of them. The 14.33-foot beam is put to use: she feels roomy against the majority of her classmates, a real advantage for extended liveaboard or family cruising.
Power and Specifications
Auxiliary power comes from a 63-horsepower diesel, either a Westerbeke or a Yanmar, turning a direct drive. Fuel capacity is 70 gallons. With a length-to-beam ratio of 3.22 and a comfort ratio of 30.03, the 4600 balances cruising stowage and steadiness against the performance bias Jackett built into the hull.
The Verdict
The Tartan 4600 is a Jackett-era cruiser-racer that trades absolute light-air pace for volume, steadiness, and keel flexibility. Her three keel options make one design usable across deep and shallow cruising grounds, and her accommodations outclass most peers for room. She is not a featherweight flyer, but her numbers describe a capable, well-mannered 46-footer.
Pros
- Three keel options (fin, bulb-fin, stub/centreboard) suit varied cruising depths
- Interior more spacious than 73 percent of comparable designs
- Steady motion comfort and capsize-screening figures for offshore confidence
- 63 hp diesel with 70-gallon fuel capacity for serious cruising range
Cons
- Slightly underrigged versus peers; modest light-wind speed ranking
- Deep fin-keel draft near 9 feet limits marina access without the shoaler options
