Tartan 34 - 1985

Kilaourou · #1 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010

Hi,
Could somebody tell me about the Tartan 34' of 1985, S&S design, Scheel keel? I am considering buying one, and would love to have some feedback on her: reliability, weaknesses, cruising speed, rigging... Any advice and opinion will be very welcome. Many thanks.

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010

Hey Kila - welcome to SN dude. Check out this thread and post your question there:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/tartan/

There are a lot of Tartan owners on this forum. They'll help you out.

Sanitie10 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010

Kilaourou,
I have a Tartan 34 (1988), scheel keel and all. I really like the boat as it is sturdy and goes to weather pretty well with the high aspect rig. Pros: I love the interior; well thought out layout, very nice teak interior, galley, head and forward cabin, not one blister. I feel very comfortable in a blow in this boat - it stood up to the trade winds day in and out while I used her as a day charter boat in the Virgins. The cons: No walk through entry to the water, traveler in cockpit (though nice for single handing) and the engine could have better accessibility. I very much like the classic design and to me that is important.

my two cents worth.

Kilaourou · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2010

Thank you Sanitie,
and what is her ability to point upward? I am sort of skeptical about Sheel keel in that matter... We meet much more wind in the nose than downward at sea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanitie10

Kilaourou,
I have a Tartan 34 (1988), scheel keel and all. I really like the boat as it is sturdy and goes to weather pretty well with the high aspect rig. Pros: I love the interior; well thought out layout, very nice teak interior, galley, head and forward cabin, not one blister. I feel very comfortable in a blow in this boat - it stood up to the trade winds day in and out while I used her as a day charter boat in the Virgins. The cons: No walk through entry to the water, traveler in cockpit (though nice for single handing) and the engine could have better accessibility. I very much like the classic design and to me that is important.

my two cents worth.

Sanitie10 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010

Kilaourou,

Why don't you give the boat a spin and try it out? The boat is presently in Ft Lauderdale and I want to get it to Norfolk VA. Want to cruise there and find out how she points? I would be willing to pay travel expenses for a responsible and knowledgeable (small) group to get her there.

Kilaourou · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2010

Hi Sanitie,
I would be very much tempted to answer your kind proposal. The trip between Fort Lauderdale and Norfolk is about 800 nm straight, i.e. and would take at least 10 days (I am right?) depending upon the weather conditions. I think I can't be off for this amount of time as I am self employed and very busy; I could however make a portion of the trip.
As for my qualifications, I don't hold any US diploma. I am French (55), and before coming in the US 10 years ago, I sailed alone for 20 years between France, England, Ireland, Spain, Belgium etc, alone or with a very small crew, on my 30 feet sailboat of the time.
Well, if you still were interested in my short participation, when would you like to make the move?
And in last, how could we contact each other?
I really appreciate your answer, and proposal.
All the best

Sanduskysailor · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-2010

The Tartan 34-II with Scheel keel doesn't point that well relative to the deep draft model. The rudder design on this boat is a little inadequate. The boat has a nasty habit of rounding up at 15 knots apparent with a genoa up. The rudder loses flow and you head right up to weather. Check to see if the keel to hull connection has been fixed. These boats had a very narrow keel attachment and some have had to be reworked with addition reinforcement at the keel/hull attachment point. Otherwise a pretty good boat.

Kilaourou · #8 (**permalink**) 04-12-2010

Thank you very much for this useful information. After having a look a the design of the hull, I was pretty sure the boat was rounding up, also at downwind. I did not know about the the hull keel connection, and will double check that feature if I go to purchase one. Well, for a long distance trip, I definitely would look for a deep draft model. Also, as I plan to solo sail between US East coast and Europe, I am still hesitating between the Tartan 34 II and the 31 (deep draft). A smaller boat would be more appropriate, reasonably: smaller boat, smaller budget, smaller problems! Would you know per chance if this Tartan 31 behaves like the 34 II, and has similar problems, even though the designers are not the same?