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Tartan 38
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Tartan Marine  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Tartan 38

Built during Tartan's golden era of performance cruising design, this 38-footer represents the Ohio builder's commitment to creating boats that excel both at the dock and under sail. Tartan established its reputation by building well-engineered vessels that could handle serious offshore passages while remaining comfortable enough for extended cruising adventures. The Tartan 38 embodies the classic American cruiser-racer philosophy, featuring the sturdy construction and thoughtful layout that made Tartan a respected name among discerning sailors. These boats typically showcase excellent build quality with attention to both structural integrity and sailing performance, making them capable of handling coastal cruising and offshore passages with equal confidence. Known for their balanced helm characteristics and solid construction, Tartan yachts from this era have earned a reputation for reliability and seaworthiness. The design likely incorporates a practical interior layout that maximizes living space while maintaining the structural strength needed for serious sailing. For sailors seeking a versatile platform capable of weekend coastal sailing, longer cruising adventures, or even occasional racing, this model represents Tartan's philosophy of building boats that don't compromise between comfort and performance. The brand's enduring popularity in the used boat market speaks to their lasting value and capability.

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.
$37,900 – $178,999
typical asking price
Median $72,500  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$37,900 – $178,999 3
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) 37.29 ft / 11.37 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.50 ft / 8.69 m
Beam 11.75 ft / 3.58 m
Max Draft 6.75 ft / 2.06 m
Displacement 15,200.00 lb / 6,895 kg
Ballast 7,500.00 lb / 3,402 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 667.00 ft² / 61.97 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Tartan Marine
First Built 1976
Last Built 1989
Owner Reviews

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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
114
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
17.46
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
28.35
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
1.9
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. 7.15
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
1.84
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 50.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 44.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.0
SA Fore 400.0
SA Main 267.0
How It Compares

vs. Alberg 37, Ericson 381, Hunter 37

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tartan 38 ★
37.3 ft
Alberg 37
37.2 ft
Ericson 381
37.5 ft
Hunter 37
37.2 ft
LWL
Tartan 38 ★
28.5 ft
Alberg 37
26.5 ft
Ericson 381
30.5 ft
Hunter 37
30.9 ft
Beam
Tartan 38 ★
11.8 ft
Alberg 37
10.2 ft
Ericson 381
12.0 ft
Hunter 37
12.5 ft
Displacement
Tartan 38 ★
15 lbs
Alberg 37
16 lbs
Ericson 381
14 lbs
Hunter 37
14 lbs
Ballast
Tartan 38 ★
7 lbs
Alberg 37
6 lbs
Ericson 381
6 lbs
Hunter 37
5 lbs
Sail Area
Tartan 38 ★
667 sq ft
Alberg 37
Ericson 381
678 sq ft
Hunter 37
641 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tartan 38 ★
114 s/nm
Alberg 37
162 s/nm
Ericson 381
114 s/nm
Hunter 37
117 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tartan 38 ★
17.5
Alberg 37
Ericson 381
18.4
Hunter 37
17.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tartan 38 ★
Alberg 37
38.7 %
Ericson 381
43.8 %
Hunter 37
40.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tartan 38 ★
28.4
Alberg 37
Ericson 381
24.9
Hunter 37
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tartan 38 ★
1.90
Alberg 37
Ericson 381
1.98
Hunter 37
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tartan 38 ★
Alberg 37
403
Ericson 381
226
Hunter 37
218
Hull Speed
Tartan 38 ★
7.2 kts
Alberg 37
Ericson 381
7.4 kts
Hunter 37
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tartan 38 ★
1.8
Alberg 37
Ericson 381
2.6
Hunter 37
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