Is Tartan 27 good for intermediate sailor?

Libby · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2001

I need some advice. I am looking for a boat in the 24-29 ft. range for around $10K with full keel to liveaboard and do moderate coastal cruising in New England area until my skill level is up for a Caribbean trip in a couple of years. I have been looking at old Tartan 27s, as I like the keel/centerboard option, heavy displacement, shallow draft, and have read that it is seakindly, forgiving, and a good starter boat. I have been sailing Lasers since I was 7 (now 31) and have been sailing my mom''s Catalina 22 with her on an inland lake for 2 summers. I am a "seat of my pants" sailor, but am now catching up by reading lots of sailing books, magazines, and websites for the last two years. I am concerned I lack the skill to singlehand a boat that is large enough to live on. I plan to only sail in fair weather at first, possibly get sailing friends to help, and take a training course if needed. All comments welcome. Thanks.

Libby · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2001

Feedback anyone? Thanks.

kimberlite · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2001

why don''t you join the tartan sailnet group?
eric

Libby · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2001

Thank you for the tip. I have now signed up for the Tartan list.

kimberlite · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2001

libby,
where are you located?
there are a few tartan get togethers this summer.
did you sign up?
eric

Libby · #6 (**permalink**) 03-21-2001

Kimberlite,
Hi, I am currently in Philadelphia, but will be moving to Maine as soon as I can--at least by the fall. Where are the get togethers? (I signed up for the Tartan list, and am receiving info, but am having trouble posting any messages.) Do you know what the Maine Boat Builders Show is all about?
Thanks.

VIEXILE · #7 (**permalink**) 03-21-2001

Moving to Maine, huh? What part? If you want to find a boat, troll the yards from Rockland to SW Harbor. I saw a Bristol 32 sitting at Devereaux''s in Penobscot (on the road to Castine) last summer. My Bristol 35 sits on hard in SW Harbor right now. Probably will have to sell, but resisting. I''m 2500 miles south enjoying the Caribbean. Racing the Puerto Rico Heineken Regatta this coming weekend. St. Maarten was great. Wish I had my boat. There MAY be a Tartan 27 in the yard at Winterport, Maine. When you get on board any boat, ask yourself how you''d sheet the main, genoa sheets and doink around with other paraphernalia while steering. The Bristol''s mainsheet is aft of the helm. The Jeanneau and Beneteau I''ve been racing are on the bridge deck and cabin top, respectively. The cabin top setup is impossible to singlehand well. The Pearson Vanguard, Coaster and so forth might work well for you. Gas engine should probably be avoided. Find out how old the rigging, look everything over. There''s also a yard out back of Belfast that often has boats sitting around with For Sale by Owner signs. The demand is higher in Portland area, so if you can find an out-of-the way yard in the Penobscot Bay region you might find your deal. Should be a good summer up there. The winter has clearly sucked. See you in Rockland at the NABF (north atlantic blues festival) or maybe Lobsterfest. Keep your options open on boats. Sometimes it''s take what you can get for the price. I saw a nice 31'' Contest, older but great boat, for about $15,000 in Belfast a few years ago. Right place, right time.

Jeff_H · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2001

The Tartan 27 is a nice little boat. In fact it is one of my favorites from this era. The keel/CB lets you get into shallower venues and still have decent windward performance. Tartan 27's have made quite respectible passages.

They are getting pretty long in the tooth so great care should be taken in surveying one. If the standing and running rigging has not been replaced, you can expect to do that. Like any older boat, you need to check for delamination in the deck and at high flex areas.

If the boat has its original engine it needs to checked very carefully. Things like sails, instruments, upholstery, fuel and water tanks, electrical systems,propshafts and deck hardware etc. are likely to be at or near the end of their useful lifespans. Collectively these problems can easily be twice the value of the boat so look for one that has had these issues addressed even if it is a bit more expensive.

By modern standards of course they are quite slow and not very goo din light air. That makes a big difference when you talk about distance cruising on a small boat. It means that you have to carry a lot more supplies and a lot more fuel. Carrying a lot of weight in a small boat can reduce the safety of the boat as boats disperse the force of a gust in two ways, accelerating and heeling and the added weight in supplies can make the difference between a knockdown and fast trip.

As to the full keel the Tartan falls somewhere in a grey zone. Although it is hard to believe the Tartan was actually designed as a MORC race boat. They have a cut away forefoot and a pretty long overhang between the ends of the keel and the ends of the boat. My experience on board these boats is that they do not track any better than a properly designed fin keeler. Now then, under sail you can adjust the CB to balance the helm some. They tend to have a fair amount of weather helm when tuned to have good windward performance which can be balanced quite a bit with the CB.

As to vulnerability I would suggest that the centerboard and trunk are as vulnerable to damage in a grounding as any well made fin keeler.

I guess my point here is that I would not limit myself to so called "full keel" boats. There are a lot of good boats out there in your price range.

Good luck
Jeff

Libby · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2001

Viexile, Thanks for the local input on boats in Maine. I am moving to Portland or somewhere near there, but will go where the work is. (I am looking for work in park management/outdoor recreation. But have not found many prospects in Maine yet for the summer, which may push me elsewhere temporarily.) I think Pearsons would be good, too, but have not found many. I agree, the right place at the right time is always important, so I hope to drive up to Maine in a couple of weeks and will check out the spots you mentioned. The winter has clearly sucked all along the east coast it seems, and I would love to escape from Philly before the dreaded heat and humidity sets in. Maine summers are paradise, and that is one of my attractions to the area especially such lovely places as Rockland, Camden, and Bar Harbor. Anyway, happy sailing in the Caribbean; it sounds nice!

Libby · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2001

Jeff_H
Thank you for such a thorough reply regarding the T-27. I am seriously interested in one that has had a lot of improvements since 1996, ie. new sails, new forestay, shaffer roller furler, new cb pennant and pennant drum, and a well maintained engine. I''m going to go look at it and will definately get a survey before buying any boat. Your comments about full keel vs. fin keel are interesting. I have had a little reservation about the T-27 because of its lack of ability to go to windward, (and I love beating!). But they are supposed to shine on a reach, so I guess that balances it out some. I have considered the Cal 2-27, but have not found many/any on the east coast. The Paceship 26 was recommended to me. I guess the full keel is appealing for it''s old fashioned sturdiness, and maybe that is a bit of an antiquated way to view things. (I think this is an ironic preference for me since nearly all of my sailing has been on the ultimate light and fast Laser.) But, full keel just sounds safer. Guess I''ll do a little more research.