Tartan Yachts

Throughout the 50 year history of Tartan sailboats the resourceful designers, engineers and boatbuilders of Tartan Yachts have continuously established new standards of performace, quality and craftsmanship.

We have done so by staying true to our creed of providing Tartan sailboat owners with a yacht that delivers both luxurious accommodations and safe, well-mannered sailing performance in all conditions. Tartan sailboats are proud to carry the prestigious CE certification for unlimited offshore use, category A.

Tartan emerged on the auxiliary sailing yacht scene in 1960, with Charlie Britton at the helm. As a result of a collaboration with Olin Stephens, Tartan developed the companies first model, the Tartan 27. The Tartan 27 constituted a departure from the existing norms of wooden construction to begin a new generation of quality-crafted fiberglass hulls. Establishing themselves at the forefront of the boat building world, Tartan charged forward with new designs, such as the 34 and the “Blackwatch” 37 and opened a second plant in Hamlet, North Carolina.

Continuing this evolution into to the seventies, Tartan developed ten new models. Each a success in its own right, yet most notable were the Tartan 37, Tartan 41 and the Tartan Ten. As the company entered the 1980’s, a strong market following was established in New England, Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes as a result of Tartan’s increasing popularity. By maintaining the traditional quality-crafted designs and sailing performance as the top priority, this decade also saw six new models developed and produced in the time-proven Tartan manner.

The market growth experienced in the sailboat segment of the marine industry came to an abrupt halt in 1989. The entire marine industry suffered a significant and precipitous decline in demand for its products. Tartan was not unaffected by these market changes. However, the brand prospered by re-establishing their focus on quality and redefining their production capabilities.

As the industry experienced a recovery in the early 90″s, Tartan continued as a leader by substantially investing in tools and designs for four new models. This investment in the future has reaped the benefits of increased volume and revenue. In 1996, to accommodate this increased demand for products, Tartan established a new facility in northeast, Ohio, which doubled manufacturing space and incorporated all current production technologies and methods.

During the past decade, Tartan new designs and new performance cruising yacht innovations have led the industry and received numerous industry awards.  The Tartan 3400, 3700 and 4300 are all Boat of the Year award winners and the Tartan 5300 was a Sail magazine Best Boats award winner.  Additionally, the carbon fiber Tartan Pocket Boom was recognized with a Sail magazine innovation award.  Tartan technology has also set the pace with the development of vacuum infused BPA epoxy hull and deck laminates, carbon fiber masts, booms and rudder posts and the Cruise Control Rig (CCR).

Throughout Tartan’s 50 year history it has been a leader in producing American made, handcrafted sailing yachts for the discriminating sailor, and we expect the same for the next generation.