Opinions on Tartan 37?

[didash]

Seriously considering purchase of a Tartan 37 in fine condition. Tartan Owners Group not much help. Interested in the good, bad, and the ugly from anyone with experience with these boats. It will be our first boat with a centerboard...any tips/general info on that aspect also appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[T37SOLARE]

One of the finest vessels ever constructed! (but then again I'm biased)

Quality construction, bluewater capable cruiser
Sails great, points extremely high
Great resale value
Classic lines


Instead of the Tartan Owners group, go to the Tartan 37 users group for more specific input from other owners Tartan37.com • Index page
and the Tartan 37 users web site: Home

[chef2sail]

Good boat...especially pre 1999. Many of my friends have them. I had narrowed down between the C&C 35 MKIII which I have and the Tartan 37 when I bought my C&C 15 years ago. Both have traditional designs and were made by good reputable companies standing behind their craftmanship.

Well made. Sails well. I prefer the Yanmar vs the Weterbeake most had. Safe gunwhales. an go wrong with a Tartan 37 which has surveyed well.

Dave

[Saildoggie]

THAT is a sharp looking boat indeed!

[kd3pc]

Sails extremely well, good construction, and can't think of an ugly thing at all about the boat.

Centerboard is no problem, except to clean or repair...should be a great boat, assuming it surveys well..

Can't think of a bad thing, except that they beat my Sabre 38 a few more times than I beat them...

[sailingdog]

It's a terrible boat. Most of the people who sail them are completely insane...especially, the sailing culinary artists...










Actually, they're quite beautiful boats, and I've liked them the few times I've been aboard one. The part about their owners being insane is still true though.

[t37224]

I've owned a 1979 Tartan 37 for 13 years. She's a very sweet sailing boat, as you'd expect from a fine S&S design.

Find an owner who has the Tartan 37 commemorative book and ask to read it. It has a lot of design background and history, as well as great photos and commentary from numerous owners. You'll find short pieces on notable voyages in the book, including a couple of the circumnavigations done in the Tartan 37.

Find one in good shape and you can't go wrong. Find one in need of work and if you're willing to commit time and resources to bring her back - you still can't go wrong.

Tom Wells
Tartan 37 #224 Higher Porpoise
T37 Association web custodian
Book project coordinator

[rcoles]

I did "survey" a T37 in ME last Week end. I was surprised the deck flexed so much when I was "jumping" on deck. But at 135 pounds and no more heavy jumps than when taking a reef, I was a bit leery.... Has anyone experienced that feeling ?

[killarney_sailor]

The deck certainly should not flex like that at all. Sounds like serious delamination problems to me. If the boat is close you can do an informal survey for this with a small, non-metallic hammer or similar tool. If you tap lightly on sound deck you will get a solid sound. If there is delamination the sound is noticeably different and 'hollow'. Fixing a significant amount of deck delam is not cheap.

I agree that a T37 is a great boat but they are not particularly rare.

[t37224]

I am well in excess of 200 pounds and don't have that problem on my T37. However, if there has been improper bedding of fittings, or a deck penetration is not properly done, core saturation and deck delamination can develop. That sounds like what's happened here.

A moisture meter can help to tell the extent - if it's a localized area, repairs may be less expensive. The headliner removes readily for access to the lower surfaces. If it's a larger area of delam, that can spell major $$. Either way, knowing the extent will give you a clue of what's needed, and if the boat is otherwise sound this information can be used when negotiating a price.