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Tartan 48
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Tartan Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Tartan 48

With limited production numbers and scarce documentation, the Tartan 48 represents one of the more elusive models from this respected American builder's lineup. While specific details remain hard to pin down, this 48-footer would have carried forward Tartan's well-established reputation for building solid, performance-oriented cruising sailboats during their heyday. Based on Tartan's design philosophy throughout their production years, this model likely featured the builder's characteristic attention to construction quality and sailing performance. Tartan boats were known for their ability to bridge the gap between comfortable cruising and spirited sailing, making them popular among sailors who refused to compromise between speed and livability. Given its size, the Tartan 48 would have been positioned as a serious offshore cruising yacht, capable of handling extended passages while providing comfortable accommodations for extended voyaging. The boat would have incorporated Tartan's typical design elements, including their focus on proper sail handling systems and well-thought-out deck layouts. For prospective buyers researching this model, the scarcity of available information makes each example worth individual evaluation, as specifications and features may vary between hulls.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
Beam 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
Max Draft 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Displacement 28,500.00 lb / 12,927 kg
Ballast Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Tartan Marine (USA)
First Built 1972
Number Built 6
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
80
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
272.7
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. 10.8 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.13
J (Foretriangle Base) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,053.00 ft² / 97.83 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Perkins
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 76 gals / 288 L
Water Capacity 110 gals / 416 L
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