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Tartan 28
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Tartan Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Tartan 28

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens naval architecture firm, this 28-footer represents Tartan Marine's commitment to quality construction and sailing performance during the mid-1980s production run. Built between 1984 and 1990 with 136 hulls completed, the Tartan 28 earned recognition as a well-balanced coastal cruiser that doesn't compromise on sailing ability. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, combined with a moderate displacement of 7,450 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, delivers responsive handling and solid stability. Her masthead sloop rig carries 408 square feet of sail area, providing excellent performance in light to moderate conditions while remaining manageable for small crews. The SA/Displacement ratio of 17.17 indicates spirited sailing characteristics without being overly aggressive. With a comfort ratio of 22.01, this design strikes an appealing balance between performance and livability, making it suitable for weekend coastal cruising and club racing. The capsize screening formula of 2.03 suggests good stability for protected waters and near-coastal sailing. Tartan's reputation for solid fiberglass construction and quality hardware means many examples remain active and well-regarded in today's used boat market, particularly appealing to sailors seeking classic Sparkman & Stephens design DNA in a manageable package.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$17,500 – $17,500
typical asking price
Median $17,500  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$17,500 – $17,500 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.25 ft / 8.61 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.25 ft / 7.09 m
Beam 9.88 ft / 3.01 m
Max Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 7,450.00 lb / 3,379 kg
Ballast 3,200.00 lb / 1,451 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 408.00 ft² / 37.90 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Tartan Marine (USA)
First Built 1984
Last Built 1990
Number Built 136
Related Sailboats ["Cal 28 2 Hunt" · "Oday 28" · "First 285 Beneteau" · "Laser 28" · "Oceanis 281 Beneteau"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 177
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.17
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 42.95
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 264.63
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 22.01
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.03
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.46 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.05
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 820.78 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 17.16
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 33.42 ft / 10.19 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.33 ft / 3.45 m
SA Fore 218.50 ft² / 20.30 m²
SA Main 189.32 ft² / 17.59 m²
SA Total (100%) 407.82 ft² / 37.89 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.70 ft / 12.10 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 2GM
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
How It Compares

vs. First 285 Beneteau, Laser 28, Oday 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tartan 28 ★
28.3 ft
First 285 Beneteau
28.2 ft
Laser 28
28.4 ft
Oday 28
28.3 ft
LWL
Tartan 28 ★
23.3 ft
First 285 Beneteau
24.3 ft
Laser 28
23.6 ft
Oday 28
22.9 ft
Beam
Tartan 28 ★
9.9 ft
First 285 Beneteau
9.8 ft
Laser 28
9.5 ft
Oday 28
10.3 ft
Displacement
Tartan 28 ★
7 lbs
First 285 Beneteau
6 lbs
Laser 28
3 lbs
Oday 28
7 lbs
Ballast
Tartan 28 ★
3 lbs
First 285 Beneteau
2 lbs
Laser 28
1 lbs
Oday 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Tartan 28 ★
408 sq ft
First 285 Beneteau
341 sq ft
Laser 28
365 sq ft
Oday 28
370 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tartan 28 ★
177 s/nm
First 285 Beneteau
—
Laser 28
135 s/nm
Oday 28
203 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tartan 28 ★
17.2
First 285 Beneteau
16.3
Laser 28
23.4
Oday 28
15.8
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tartan 28 ★
22.0
First 285 Beneteau
17.8
Laser 28
12.2
Oday 28
20.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tartan 28 ★
2.03
First 285 Beneteau
2.15
Laser 28
2.40
Oday 28
2.12
Hull Speed
Tartan 28 ★
6.5 kts
First 285 Beneteau
6.6 kts
Laser 28
6.5 kts
Oday 28
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tartan 28 ★
2.1
First 285 Beneteau
2.7
Laser 28
4.5
Oday 28
1.9
Find a Tartan 28 For Sale
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