Tartan 3700

The Tartan 3700 is a 37-foot performance cruiser designed by Tim Jackett and built by Tartan Yachts in Grand River, Ohio. Introduced in 1999, the design earned immediate industry recognition, winning Best Midsize Cruiser from Cruising World and a Top 10 designation from SAIL magazine for the year 2000. Over its production run, which extended into 2016, Tartan built 188 hulls — a strong showing that reflects the enduring appeal of the design.

The 3700 was conceived to satisfy sailors who want genuine offshore capability without sacrificing racing competitiveness. Its target market is the performance-minded family that wants to cruise coastally and bluewater, yet remain competitive on the race course. Three keel options were offered: a 7-foot 3-inch deep fin, a wider beavertail bulb at 5 feet, and a shallow centerboard version at around 4 feet, allowing buyers to tailor the boat to their sailing grounds.

The hull is built with hand-laid fiberglass — solid laminate below the waterline for impact resistance, and balsa-cored panels above for stiffness and weight savings. Tartan's construction approach sets the 3700 apart from many production contemporaries: rather than relying on molded fiberglass pan liners, the interior bulkheads are cut from pressure laminate and individually tabbed to the hull, resulting in a stiffer, better-bonded structure. The spade rudder and fin keel configuration give the boat a modern underwater profile optimized for performance.

On deck, the sheerline is finished with a solid teak toerail, and the 24-inch-wide side decks make moving forward straightforward. Hardware is sourced from Lewmar and Harken, and the portlights are by Hood Yacht Systems. The mast and boom are built by Offshore Spars. A double-spreader rig with slightly swept-back spreaders narrows the sheeting angle for improved upwind efficiency.

The 3700's modern underbody delivers notably good light-air performance despite its moderate displacement. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio of around 18 gives the boat enough horsepower to keep moving in light breezes, and the narrow sheeting angles enabled by the swept spreaders make it an effective upwind machine. Sailors report that the boat accelerates eagerly and tracks well across a range of conditions.

A theoretical hull speed of about 7.6 knots is consistent with a 32-foot waterline, but owners report the 3700 regularly sails beyond that in moderate breezes. The boat has also proven seaworthy offshore, with a comfort ratio that favors a moderately stiff, predictable motion at sea. The 50 HP Yanmar diesel provides strong motoring performance, with 38 gallons of fuel capacity for extended passages.

Below decks, the 3700 offers a well-organized and comfortable cruising layout. The main saloon measures roughly 8.8 by 6.7 feet with standing headroom of 6 feet 4 inches throughout. Both the forward stateroom and the aft cabin feature queen-sized berths, making the boat a practical choice for couples or small families on extended passages. The head compartment is notably generous — 67 inches long — and includes a 26-inch square separate shower stall.

The navigation station faces forward, an ergonomic choice that lets the navigator see out the companionway. The galley is well-equipped and logically arranged for offshore use. Interior woodwork is finished in light cherry, a hallmark of Tartan's house style, and reflects the level of craftsmanship for which the Ohio builder is known. Storage is plentiful, and the deck has multiple opening hatches for natural ventilation below.