TARTAN 3700 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

The TARTAN 3700 is a performance-oriented cruiser designed by Tim Jackett to balance offshore durability with refined sailing characteristics. It targets the discerning boat owner looking for a stiff, weatherly vessel capable of both competitive club racing and comfortable coastal cruising.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 3.23 indicates a tall, high-aspect rig designed for aerodynamic efficiency and lift in varied conditions.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.79 is optimized for high-aspect headsails, promoting excellent upwind pointing and easy tacking.
• Sail Area: With 81m² of total upwind area, the boat offers a robust power-to-displacement ratio.
• Performance: The combination of a 2.21m draft and a high-aspect sail plan ensures the 3700 is a close-winded performer with high stability.

Popular Sail Configurations

• Mainsail: Typically configured with full battens to support the tall P dimension and maintain a stable leech profile.
• Headsail: Most configurations favor 100% to 110% jibs to take advantage of the high-aspect foretriangle without excessive overlapping.

Key Characteristics

• Tall high-aspect rig (P/E 3.23) for superior light-air efficiency.
• High I/J ratio (3.79) favoring high-performance, non-overlapping jibs.
• Deep 2.21m draft provides exceptional righting moment and stiffness.
• Balanced 81m² sail plan designed for manageable short-handed handling.

Sailing Considerations

• The TARTAN 3700 is stiff, but the tall rig requires proactive reefing once apparent wind exceeds 18-20 knots.
• Typical crew requirements range from 2 for cruising to 6 for fully crewed racing.
• Expect high pointing angles and excellent tracking in offshore sea states.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the TARTAN 3700, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber technology where fibers are laid along specific load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium laminates. The continuous fiber structure means significantly less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with carbon/Technora fibers and minimal base weight to maximize acceleration. For cruising or bluewater sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection. Based on the 3.23 P/E ratio, a radial fiber layout within the membrane works best to handle the high vertical loads of the tall mainsail. A typical inventory includes a full-batten mainsail, a 105% furling jib, and an asymmetric spinnaker. With 81m² of sail area, plan to reef the main around 18 knots of true wind to maintain optimal heel angles.

Conclusion

The TARTAN 3700 is a sophisticated performance cruiser that thrives with a high-modulus sail plan. Explore sail options for TARTAN 3700 to unlock its full potential on all points of sail.