The Tartan 34 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Tartan 34 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in the USA by Tartan Marine.

A Tartan 34

The Tartan 34 shown here is a 34C indicating that she is a 34 'Classic', the first of the 34's. Two further versions followed, the 34-2 and the 3400. The 3400 was later renamed the 345.

The following specs and data relate to the 34C.

Published Specification for the Tartan 34

Underwater Profile: Centreboard keel with rudder on full skeg

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 34'5" (10.5m)

Waterline Length: 25'0" (7.6m)

Beam: 10'2" (3.1m)

Draft: 8'4" (2.5m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 11,200lb (5,080kg)

Designer: Sparkman & Stephens

Builder: Tartan Marine (USA)

Year First Built: 1968

Year Last Built: 1978

Number Built: 525

'Endeavour', a Tartan 34C for Sale

Location: Port Charlotte, Florida USA

Asking Price: $28,000

Published Design Ratios for the Tartan 34

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.9

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 44.6

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 320

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 28.3

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Tartan 34

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.9 suggests that the Tartan 34 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 44.6 means that the Tartan 34 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 320, tells us the Tartan 34 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 28.3 suggests that crew comfort of a Tartan 34 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 indicates that a Tartan 34 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.