tartan 3400

[stm]

Still looking at a Tartan 3400 and went over it very well. This boat is like new, except one thing I found troubling. The Steering pedestal seems not to have enough re-inforcing at the cockpit sole. Putting any weight on it seemed to make the floor flex. I asked the broker who contacted the factory, and they said it is not an issue and would not cause a problem. I am aware of all the Tartan hull threads of the last year. Does anyone have any first hand experience with this problem, or have an opinion.
Thanks

[sailingfool]

Any flex would not be good, if only because its likely to introduce some slack/strain into the steering system. Seems like a pretty crazy situation, I would consider it hard to belieive Tartan didn't build a sturdy solution, but... You say "seemed to make the floor flex..", if the pedestal CAN flex the cockpit floor, I'd move onto to another boat. Whatever tartan may say about their construction, its regarding as-built when new, not as-is now...

[camaraderie]

STM...Since you are looking at T3400's...have you heard anything about the new ownership's stance on prior warranties & owner claims? It has been a month and there is still nothing on the website.

[stm]

I have not heard anything on the new owners, except a rumor that Bill Ross, the former lawyer owner is still lurking. I have e-mailed Tartan 2 days ago about the concern of this post with no direct reply. The broker claims to have talked with Tim Jackett who says this is not a warranty issue, and I shouldn't worry because the pedestal will never pull away. The hull and deck will have a 5 year warranty if I purchase the boat. That is void if I choose to do any hull or deck modification. I am not putting too much value on the hull and deck warranty given Tartans current situation. My next move would be to contact a surveyor and ask what they think. Too bad these boats have such negative press about them. It's suits me perfectly being that I will be using in the Chesapeake and single handing most of the time. It's making me look real hard at this boat and analyze everything. Sometimes I think I should just go purchase a Beneteau or Hanse 34 and just enjoy the sailing.

[max-on]

The "steering pedestal is flexing the cockpit sole" and Tartan says "not a problem"!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must be kidding??? This is unreal!!! I would not buy the boat, there is a definite problem.

I know I am biased, ok, but go sail a Dehler 34 or 36, you will have none of this BS, only a solid, well-built, comfortable, and fast boat.

These stories about Tartan just keep getting better!

[camaraderie]

STM...hopefully someone else who owns one of these will chime in and comment on the sole flex and if it is "standard". I think these are beautiful looking and sailing boats and understand your dilemma...but given the "asset only" sale...I sure would devalue any price I paid until you know in writing from the new ownership how the new company is going to treat old warranties. Frankly...I wouldn't buy a new one either until the issue is resolved as it will say a lot about the support I might expect to receive in the future! Why does it take a month to make a simple statement that you will continue to provide warranty coverage to existing Tartan owners or not??

[max-on]

So, STM, any decisions, comment on the feedback??

[hellosailor]

Well heck, you walk down the aisle in any commercial airliner and the flooring flexes underfoot. That's just keeping it light, a lot of boats have been built the same way. And suspension bridges routinely sway in the wind.

I don't LIKE it, but that kind of movement is common engineering practice these days.

[max-on]

Are you serious? The cockpit floor flexing is 'designed' that way!