The boat that launched Tartan...
The 27 was the first "Tartan" and so earns its own page on the Tartan Owners website. As popular as she was beautiful, over 700 of these small but practical yachts were produced, becoming one of the company's most successful designs.
She began life on the drawing board in 1960 and the first boats were produced the following year. With the exception of a fire that resulted in no 27's being built during 1972, she was produced continuously for 19 years, until 1980. Available as either a yawl or the more popular sloop, few significant changes were made until 1976 after 648 hulls were completed. From then until 1979, another 64 were produced under the 27-2 designation which incorporated a raised shear, retooled deck and house.
As a result of her assured performance, shoal draft and classic style, she continues to be popular and enjoys a loyal following some 40 years later. A few excerpts from our Owner Profiles provide an excellent perspective of the 27's enduring value and her place in Tartan's history.
Owner Comments:
- "Old number one, still going strong. A great design that stands the test of time".
Robert Hunt, "Mimi", 1961 #1 - "Restored and in Bristol condition".
Dan Clint, "Windfall", 1961 #4 - "Great boat, sailed her on Long Island Sound, Florida, Bahamas and now on the Baltic Sea".
Peter Kleim, "Little Nell", 1965 #140 - "Been in the family since 1969 and still going strong".
Sandy Ogden, "Hobbit", 1967 #263 - "I grew up sailing her out of Woods Hole... purchased her from my Dad and now sail the Chesapeake".
Rob Hutchinson, "Polaris", 1968 #367 - "She's 33 years old and still turns heads".
Dave Hair, "Aftafive", 1969 - These and others can be found at the Owner Profiles link on the "Owners" page including many tips on maintenance, restoration and various upgrades.
Brochures and Illustrations
- T27 and T27-2:
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Sales Brochure
1961 Version
(214kb PDF)Sales Brochure
1963 Version
(1.3mb PDF)Sales Brochure
1968 Version
(1.3mb PDF)Sales Brochure
T27-2 (1978)
(1.7mb PDF)Vintage Photo
"Ready for Delivery"
(1.2mb PDF)Vintage Photo
"Factory Outfitting"
(1.3mb PDF)Vintage Photo
"Tantrum II's Arrival"
(1.2mb PDF)Color Photo
"T27-2 Dockside"
(648kb PDF) - T27 Yawl:
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B/W Photo
"Under Full Sail"
(92kb JPG)B/W Photo
"Close Reaching"
(37kb JPG)Drawing
Yawl Sail Plan
(30kb JPG)Drawing
T27 Underbody
(150kb JPG)
Photo Galleries
- WD Schock T27 - photos and a description of the differences in the California built T27's.
