Tartan 37 - Any Downside?

[triplenet]

Looking at early 80's models for Florida and Bahama's cruising.... I did a search but didnt find much info other than they are of good quality...

Anything I should keep an eye on during my search....

Thanks

[gbanker]

guess you have already determined that you and yours can fit in the v-berth. that was the reason we didn't buy one when we were looking at boats in that size range.

[triplenet]

Only 5'8 here and wife 5'7... And we will only use her for weekends and maybe a week in the Bahamas once or twice a year....

Thanks... I am going to check again to be sure...

[Pblais]

We have two in the Yacht Club. Both similar centerboard boats. Board down and they point well. One was owned as new and still going. They both have aging issues f0r boats built well from that era. The age of a boat tells a lot based on how it was maintained and updated.

[Windgeist]

Lots of stuff to found here: Tartan37.com • Index page

Had ours for 4 years now and are very happy overall, especially for sailing and build quality!

The 4' draft is a real plus

[tartan37224]

We've had our Tartan 37 for 12 years. She's a 1979 boat, and other than normal maintenance and age-related replacements she's been trouble free. She sails like a dream and is still, IMHO, the prettiest girl at the dance.

A lot will depend on the care given any boat by a prior owner, but the Tartan 37 is in general a very good value.

Tom

[s/v Moondancer]

I raced from St Pete to Mexico on one in moderately bad weather and she was a great boat. The center board gives great flexibility not just from the depth point of view but also in the ability to balance the boat and adjust the leeway.

Good choice.

[tartan37224]

Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer

I raced from St Pete to Mexico on one in moderately bad weather and she was a great boat. The center board gives great flexibility not just from the depth point of view but also in the ability to balance the boat and adjust the leeway.

Good choice.

Mine is a fin keel model, and she balances well on all points of sail. The centerboard model would allow some "fine-tuning" for even better balance. From my experience sailing both keel types, performance is comparable, withe fin having the edge to windward and the CB model a bit better downwind, when you can basically raise the board and reduce your wetted area.