The Tartan 101 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.8′, the Tartan 101 tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.8′ LWL = 7.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
78s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
26.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Comfort Ratio
16.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.18
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
16.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.18
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Tartan 101 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tartan 101
78s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Tripp 33
81s/nm
X 332
117s/nm
Alerion Express 33
120s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.1 |
6.5 |
7.2 |
7.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.3 kts),
SA/D (26.7), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Tartan 101 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Tartan 101.
|
Tartan 101 |
Alerion Express 33 |
Catalina 316 |
Soverel 33 1983 |
Tripp 33 |
X 332 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
33.0 |
| LWL |
29.8 |
26.3 |
26.5 |
30.4 |
28.0 |
28.9 |
| Beam |
11.0 |
9.3 |
11.6 |
11.0 |
10.3 |
10.8 |
| Displacement |
8 |
8 |
12 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
671 |
495 |
589 |
538 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
78 |
120 |
— |
— |
81 |
117 |
| SA/Disp |
26.7 |
18.8 |
18.0 |
26.8 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
37.9 |
33.3 |
48.3 |
44.3 |
41.4 |
| Comfort |
16.8 |
24.5 |
25.0 |
11.8 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.18 |
1.80 |
2.03 |
2.45 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.3 |
6.9 |
6.9 |
7.4 |
— |
— |