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Tartan 31
Designer: Tim Jackett  ·  Builder: Tartan Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Tartan 31

Designed by Tim Jackett and built by Tartan Marine from 1987 to 1991, this 31-footer represents the builder's commitment to quality construction and thoughtful design during the late 1980s production boom. With 146 hulls completed during its four-year run, the Tartan 31 found a solid following among sailors seeking a well-built coastal cruiser with respectable performance characteristics. The boat's moderate displacement of 9,030 pounds and healthy ballast-to-displacement ratio provide good stability, while the fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling under sail. Her masthead sloop rig carries 506 square feet of sail area, offering a balanced sail-area-to-displacement ratio that suggests decent light-air performance without being overpowered in fresh conditions. Built with fiberglass construction to Tartan's typically high standards, the design emphasizes comfortable coastal cruising rather than out-and-out racing performance. The boat's dimensions create a practical interior layout within the 31-foot overall length, while maintaining seaworthy proportions. Her moderate draft of six feet allows access to most harbors while providing sufficient underwater profile for good windward ability. This combination of attributes makes the Tartan 31 well-suited for weekend cruising, coastal exploration, and club racing activities.

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.
$31,500 – $44,000
typical asking price
Median $35,000  ·  4 listings used
All listings
$31,500 – $44,000 4
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) 31.33 ft / 9.55 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
Beam 10.92 ft / 3.33 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 9,030.00 lb / 4,096 kg
Ballast 3,900.00 lb / 1,769 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 506.00 ft² / 47.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Tim Jackett
Builder Tartan Marine (USA)
First Built 1987
Last Built 1991
Number Built 146
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
159
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
18.73
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
43.19
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
229.36
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
20.94
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
2.1
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. 6.83 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
2.55
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. 1,014.48 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. 18.74
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.50 ft / 12.95 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
SA Fore 265.63 ft² / 24.68 m²
SA Main 240.50 ft² / 22.34 m²
SA Total (100%) 506.13 ft² / 47.02 m²
Est. Forestay Length 44.30 ft / 13.50 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 2GM20F
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 19 gals / 72 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares

vs. Irwin 31 Citation, Niagara 31, Tartan 31 Piper

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tartan 31 ★
31.3 ft
Irwin 31 Citation
31.3 ft
Niagara 31
31.3 ft
Tartan 31 Piper
31.3 ft
LWL
Tartan 31 ★
26.0 ft
Irwin 31 Citation
26.5 ft
Niagara 31
24.3 ft
Tartan 31 Piper
26.0 ft
Beam
Tartan 31 ★
10.9 ft
Irwin 31 Citation
11.0 ft
Niagara 31
10.3 ft
Tartan 31 Piper
10.9 ft
Displacement
Tartan 31 ★
9 lbs
Irwin 31 Citation
9 lbs
Niagara 31
8 lbs
Tartan 31 Piper
9 lbs
Ballast
Tartan 31 ★
3 lbs
Irwin 31 Citation
3 lbs
Niagara 31
3 lbs
Tartan 31 Piper
3 lbs
Sail Area
Tartan 31 ★
506 sq ft
Irwin 31 Citation
474 sq ft
Niagara 31
492 sq ft
Tartan 31 Piper
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tartan 31 ★
159 s/nm
Irwin 31 Citation
165 s/nm
Niagara 31
162 s/nm
Tartan 31 Piper
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tartan 31 ★
18.7
Irwin 31 Citation
17.2
Niagara 31
19.7
Tartan 31 Piper
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tartan 31 ★
43.2 %
Irwin 31 Citation
36.6 %
Niagara 31
44.4 %
Tartan 31 Piper
39.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tartan 31 ★
20.9
Irwin 31 Citation
21.1
Niagara 31
21.1
Tartan 31 Piper
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tartan 31 ★
2.10
Irwin 31 Citation
2.10
Niagara 31
2.05
Tartan 31 Piper
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tartan 31 ★
229
Irwin 31 Citation
223
Niagara 31
250
Tartan 31 Piper
228
Hull Speed
Tartan 31 ★
6.8 kts
Irwin 31 Citation
6.9 kts
Niagara 31
6.6 kts
Tartan 31 Piper
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tartan 31 ★
2.6
Irwin 31 Citation
2.5
Niagara 31
2.4
Tartan 31 Piper
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