Tartan Legacy
Factory history, wallpaper images, model profiles
The History of Tartan Yachts - In the November issue of Good Old Boat magazine, Dan Spurr published what can arguably be called "the" definitive review of Tartan Yachts. In the article, he chronicles the company's history, the vision of its founders and the lineage of Tartan models produced over the years. Click here to View the Article (632kb pdf). Note: Adobe Acrobat required.
- Tartan Wallpaper - The site Wallpaper Section contains some great high quality scans received from the factory as well as our owners. These are perfect for use as desktop background images and slide shows. Check 'em out and send us one of your own.
- The Tartan 27 - Profile and Perspective - A special website berth for the first "Tartan" model! From 1961 to 1980, over 700 were produced. See why her owners are still enthusiastic, 40 years later.
- The Tartan 33 - Profile and Perspective - A comprehensive review assembled by the T33 owners group covering virtually every aspect of this venerable cruiser/racer, from her design history to common upgrades and sailing tips.
- The Tartan 34C - Profile and Perspective - An enduring classic, the T34C is at the center of a resurgence of interest in restoring the classic S&S designs built by Tartan. This article written by an enthusiastic owner serves as an excellent introduction to the design.
- The Blackwatch and Classic Tartan 37 - Profile and Perspective - A special section on the site detailing this beautiful Ted Hood design produced by Douglass and McLeod and Tartan during the late 60's. Thirty-two hulls were produced before a factory fire halted further production.
- The Tartan 3700 - Photo and Projects Gallery - As the most popular of Tartan's current production models, the Tartan 3700 carries forward the proud tradition of the her predecessors, the T37C and the T37-2. Here you'll find a special collection of photos and projects submitted by owners.
- The Tartan TOCK - Profile and Perspective - Although she may not be commonly known as a Tartan classic, the Tartan Offshore Cruising Ketch represents an interesting chapter in the company's history. Learn about the TOCK in this photo essay by one of her owners.
Files and Articles
Online resources, owner files and related links
| Index | Description |
| Tartan Owner Boat Reviews | Owner submitted reviews of various Tartan models. The reviews are searchable by model or keyword. |
| Harbor Notes | Plan a trip or check a new area with these geo-coded tips about harbors, passages and shoreside attractions provided by owners. |
| Tartan Listservs: | Several Tartan listservs are available on the net. Of those listed, the free Yahoo service appears to have the most traction among owners. |
| Tartan Yachts: | Tartan's FAQ page contains useful information on various topics such as interior finishes, bottom prep, Spartite, etc.
The Tartan Parts site features upgrade kits and replacement parts for various models, as well as other useful information for all Tartan owners. |
| Documented Vessel Search | These two links allow searches for owner information based on the vessel's Boat Name. Updated Quarterly. |
Sailing Stories
Tartan sail tales on the site and the net
Bracer - In what appears to be the start of a trend, Maarten & Paulien Dudok van Heel relate their story of the second Tartan 34C to be relocated to Europe, Bracer. After circulation of George Colligan's article in the S&S Association newsletter "The Wave", which is widely read throughout Europe, interest in the model surged.
This appears to be particularly true in the three areas where S&S boats are most respected: England, Germany and Holland, each with large memberships in the S&S Association. Driven by a strong Euro, more sales of boats for the European market are likely to materialize. This new unmet demand will also impact upon the domestic value of the boat, especially for those T-34Cs in "bristol" condition. Stay tuned, the saga continues! GHC.
Windchime - There's nothing like making that first log entry in a long-planned voyage, especially one that's going to take you and your boat across the ocean, to far and distant ports, long dreamed-of.
Linda Crown, 58, and Debbie Skinner, 41, finally got to pen those opening lines as their cruise from New London, CT, commenced in September 2004.
Over the next two years, Crown, a partner/owner of Crownsmiths dental lab in New London, and Skinner, a former geneticist at Pfizer in Groton, planned to work their way across the Atlantic, around the British Isles, through the canals of France and into the Mediterranean. The two friends left their jobs in June spending several months getting Windchime, their Tartan 37, ready for the trip.
Follow along on their cruise at The Windchime Times: http://windchimetimes.us
Tigger - When Sharon and Dave Ragle returned from their circumnavigation in June 1998, they spent almost a year reenergizing their T37 TIGGER and themselves. Then they took off again, this time up and down the East Coast, to Bermuda, and the Bahamas. Sharon also found time to write a book about their 35000 mile odyssey. "The Oceans are Waiting - Around the World on the Yacht Tigger" released October, 2002, by Sheridan House.
Their website is www.theoceansarewaiting.com. Note: The book can also be purchased from Amazon.com.
- Rouser - Follow the adventures of Rouser as Eric and Angela Siegel sail their Tartan 37 from Olympia, WA along the Pacific coast. Using WinLink and SSB, they are providing daily at-sea updates of their position and weather along with commentary and photos of their journey. For complete details and live updates, visit the Rouser Home Page!
- Akela - James Calore has written an excellent series of Sail Tales which can be found in the Startech Journal, featuring life's lessons aboard Akela, his T34C. Not to be missed!
Rubicon - In a story of two firsts, Susanna & Jürgen Mohrmann write, "Distance means nothing... when you are looking for the boat of your dreams - and finally find it on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean!"
Crossing the Rubicon is the Mohrmann's account of Tartan 34C #1's trip from Hallandale, Florida, to Hamburg, Germany with a special introduction by TCA founder Deane Holt.
Owner Websites
Personal web pages of Tartan owners
| Boat Name | Model | Description |
| Pretentious | T26 | Tod details the restoration of his T26. |
| Callipygian | T27 | The Winter's adventures aboard Callipygian from Hell Gate to Cape Cod. |
| Howl | T30 | Sailing out of Casco Bay, Howl is an excellent example of the venerable Tartan 30, also available for charter. |
| Johanna V | T31 Piper | An interesting site about José and Bart's 1993 Tartan 31 Piper. Oh, and don't forget to learn a bit of Dutch before you visit! |
| Larina | T33 | Nice collection of photos and upgrades by owners Bob & Ginger Weismantel along with information on their local cruising grounds along the Hudson. |
| Magic | T41 | Sailing out of Casco Bay Maine, Magic is also available for charter. |
| Mako | T3700 | An interesting site detailing a challenging commissioning process on a 2005 T3700. |
| Nicknack | T37C | Paul Nickerson's site about his T37C. |
| Pinga | T37C | A nice page by Pinga's former owner, Jim Schneider |
| Rouser | T37C | Follow the adventures of Eric and Angela as they head offshore from Olympia, Washington starting August, 2002. |
| Ruffian | T34C | Jon Theurmer's site including spec's and other info on the T34 along with a nice photo album of his travels. |
| Sea Cup | T30 | Going to Maine (or beyond)? Al's narrative contains many good tips on his travels "Down East". |
| Silent Storm | T27 | Amanda's photo album of Silent Storm after an extensive refit. |
| Therapy | T27 | Phil has cataloged quite a collection of photo's of his restoration project. You'll find links here to several other T27 owners as well. |
| Tigger | T37C | Circumnavigators and authors Sharon and Dave Ragle's home on the net. You'll never know where they'll be... Check the site for their latest adventures! |
| Vixen | T34C | An excellent owner's site detailing Jack Waddell's restoration of his T34C. |
| Windchime | T37C | Projects and photo journal of T37 Windchime sailing downeast Maine. |
| Womble | T33 | A photo journal of Gregg's T33 with many tips and techniques on maintenance and improvements. |