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Tartan 40
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Tartan Marine  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Tartan 40

Originally launched in the early 1980s, this 40-foot cruising sailboat represents Tartan's commitment to building robust, well-engineered vessels for serious sailors. Designed during an era when the Ohio-based manufacturer was gaining recognition for combining performance with comfort, the Tartan 40 emerged as a capable blue-water cruiser that could handle both coastal adventures and extended offshore passages. The design reflects classic American cruising yacht principles, featuring a moderate displacement hull that balances speed with stability. Tartan's reputation for solid construction is evident throughout, with attention paid to both structural integrity and sailing performance. The boat's proportions suggest good upwind ability while maintaining the interior volume needed for comfortable cruising. Sailors who have owned these boats often praise their seaworthiness and build quality, noting that Tartan's engineering approach prioritized long-term durability over cutting costs. The 40-footer sits comfortably in the sweet spot for couples or small families looking to venture beyond coastal waters, offering enough space for extended cruising while remaining manageable for a small crew. While not designed as a pure racer, the boat demonstrates respectable performance under sail.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.25 ft / 12.27 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.58 ft / 9.63 m
Beam 12.70 ft / 3.87 m
Max Draft 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Displacement 17,250.00 lb / 7,824 kg
Ballast 7,600.00 lb / 3,447 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 727.00 ft² / 67.54 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Tartan Marine
First Built 1984
Last Built 1989
Related Sailboats Sabre 402 · J/122 · Olson 40 · Bristol 40 · Cape Dory 40 · Cs 395
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
105
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
17.49
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
26.43
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
1.97
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. 7.53
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
2.27
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) 51.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 45.42
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.0
SA Fore 408.0
SA Main 317.94
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 40, Cape Dory 40, J/122, Olson 40, Sabre 402

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tartan 40 ★
40.3 ft
Bristol 40
40.2 ft
Cape Dory 40
40.2 ft
J/122
40.1 ft
Olson 40
40.3 ft
Sabre 402
40.2 ft
LWL
Tartan 40 ★
31.6 ft
Bristol 40
27.5 ft
Cape Dory 40
30.0 ft
J/122
34.0 ft
Olson 40
36.0 ft
Sabre 402
34.0 ft
Beam
Tartan 40 ★
12.7 ft
Bristol 40
10.8 ft
Cape Dory 40
11.7 ft
J/122
12.8 ft
Olson 40
11.3 ft
Sabre 402
13.3 ft
Displacement
Tartan 40 ★
17 lbs
Bristol 40
17 lbs
Cape Dory 40
19 lbs
J/122
15 lbs
Olson 40
10 lbs
Sabre 402
18 lbs
Ballast
Tartan 40 ★
7 lbs
Bristol 40
6 lbs
Cape Dory 40
J/122
6 lbs
Olson 40
5 lbs
Sabre 402
7 lbs
Sail Area
Tartan 40 ★
727 sq ft
Bristol 40
694 sq ft
Cape Dory 40
778 sq ft
J/122
780 sq ft
Olson 40
720 sq ft
Sabre 402
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tartan 40 ★
105 s/nm
Bristol 40
132 s/nm
Cape Dory 40
120 s/nm
J/122
33 s/nm
Olson 40
51 s/nm
Sabre 402
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tartan 40 ★
17.5
Bristol 40
16.5
Cape Dory 40
17.3
J/122
19.2
Olson 40
24.3
Sabre 402
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tartan 40 ★
Bristol 40
Cape Dory 40
J/122
42.8 %
Olson 40
53.1 %
Sabre 402
38.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tartan 40 ★
26.4
Bristol 40
36.7
Cape Dory 40
34.6
J/122
28.7
Olson 40
16.9
Sabre 402
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tartan 40 ★
1.97
Bristol 40
1.66
Cape Dory 40
1.74
J/122
1.59
Olson 40
2.08
Sabre 402
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tartan 40 ★
Bristol 40
Cape Dory 40
322
J/122
149
Olson 40
99
Sabre 402
213
Hull Speed
Tartan 40 ★
7.5 kts
Bristol 40
7.0 kts
Cape Dory 40
7.3 kts
J/122
9.6 kts
Olson 40
8.0 kts
Sabre 402
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tartan 40 ★
2.3
Bristol 40
1.2
Cape Dory 40
1.6
J/122
Olson 40
5.4
Sabre 402
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