Specifications
L.O.A. ——————————37’ 3-1/2”
Beam ——————————- 11’ 9”
Draft (CB) Board Up ———- 4’ 2”
Board Down —— 7’ 9”
Displacement ———————- 15,500 lbs
Ballast —————————— 7,500 lbs
Datum Waterline —————— 28’ 6”
Sailing Waterline - Point of Immersion forward to aft point of immersion—33’ +
Sail Area —————————- 625 Sq. Ft.
Berths ——————————— 6
Power: Westerbeke 50 engine
Year: 1979
Design: Sparkman & Stephens design
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| T37 Layout |
Whilst looking at a number of other vessels we were surprised at the lack thereof. We keep discovering new hidey-holes.
Up forward is the traditional V berth which we use as the master cabin. There is a chain locker directly in front of that with easy access to the windlass, nav lights and chain bin.
Under the V berth is the usual storage space, however this vessel has a retrospective Holding Tank fitted on the port side. We use the space under the V berth for our winter clothes, spare sails (cruising chute, yankee) The previous owner also built in 2 collapsable water tanks for additional water carrying capacity.This is plumbed into the main fresh water system. Brilliant for additional water for long range cruising.
There is ample locker space for all of Sally's clothes. The starboard side has 3 draws and the small foot locker and a larger hanging locker. On the port side is a locker with shelves for my 1 pair of underpants and a spare shirt.
Above the V Berth is a very large opening hatch with a fly / mosquito net flap. GREAT for the tropics as it lets air in and keeps mozzies out. This is why i would always buy a yacht from a cruiser as it is these little additions that require a lot of time, money and thought to do and Mike the previous owner has kindly done them all for us!
Underneath the heater is the Jabsco Fresh Water pump. Which supplies the head and galley and the shower in the cockpit. Directly to port is the head. A practical space with a shower, basin and toilet. Good stowage space, however it will be interesting when we take her out to see what jumps out of the racks as there is always a lot of movement / motion the further forward you go.
Interestingly the shower drains to a separate sump under the floor in the saloon and there is a automatic float switch that pumps it dry. A good idea as this means that soapy water does not drain into the bilge.
One of the best features is the drop down saloon table. I always seem to trip over centre mounted saloon tables. We use it for a fraction of the time but it is constantly in the way when moving fore and aft. With the tartan drop down table, it gives the feeling of a lot more beam / space in the saloon and easy access to the bilge etc. The water tanks are arranged port and starboard under the saloon settees. They have twin access hatches for easy cleaning. An activity we have just undertaken and were surprised how easy it was to clean them out.
Some Tartans have a pilot berth on the starboard side and I believe this one had one once upon a time but the previous owner wisely converted it to stowage space. We keep all our towels, linen etc in there.
On the port side in additional stowage space above the saloon settees with books, glasses, etc.
Another hatch above the saloon with a solar fan to provide a bit of breeze and another fly net to keep the biters out.
Most yachts have the galley on the port side. Tartans have it on starboard. The fridge is very large and deep especially when you consider its a 33 year old boat. Fridge works really well, however we don't run it 24x7 as we are power misers and just run it to keep it cool.
Behind the sink is a well built rack for dishes, bowls, cups, etc. Well positioned as a knock down should not dislodge these (in theory).
Under the sink is the usual nest of plumbing, but also extends quite deep enabling a lot of cleaning products to be stored.
The chart table is on the port side and is very large by todays standards. I know that electronic charts are the way forward and call me old fashioned, but I still want a piece of paper to jot a lat and long, especially on a long trip. There is a cubby hole to the left of the table where we keep key tools, torches, winch handles etc. Nice big space for odds and ends. Chart table opens and has ample space too.
Aft of the table is the aft berth. In true cruiser fashion this has become our garage. Full of bits and pieces. What you may ask...well, washboards, cockpit cushions, tupperware full of stuff etc.
Under the aft bert, is a stainless fuel tank. The chart table seat, contorts into an extra length to turn the berth into a double. great for guests.
The engine is where you would expect to find it. Another reason why i was so taken with the Tartan 37 was the great engine access. You can tackle it from all sides. The companion way stairs come off to reveal the starter, the water pump. alternator etc. There is access from the port side inside the aft berth. There is a large deep locker in the cockpit that one can climb inside to work on the starboard side of the engine and the gear box etc.
Speaking of the starboard locker, it is huge. deep enough to store all the fenders standing up. It has all our sheets, rode, tool boxes etc. Very functional.
There is a large cavity under the cockpit between the stern gland / prop shaft and the well of the cockpit into which there are hanging baskets of spares (fan belts, filters, etc). Accessing them in a hurry is tricky, but they are not everyday items and the less clutter the better in my opinion.
Engine access is great. It is some of the best I have seen on many boats. I have seen a few forums where people argue that having to clear a locker is a pain. It might be a minor inconvenience, however I can get my whole 6ft 95kg frame into the engine space in order to work on it. I can also access the sheaves and steering cables from the binnacle. If need be I can also access the engine from the aft berth on the port side although I don't have quite the same freedom. As a design feature, Tartans have a fibreglass well under the engine into which any oil or water leaks are easily identified, also you will never lose another nut or bolt into the bilge either. Very impressed with engine access and design. Well thought out!
The aft cockpit locker is also deep and capable of additional storage. There is a built in tray to protect the steering lines and quadrant from what ever you pile on top of it. There is also easy access to apply and use the emergency tiller.
The propane bottles don't quite have a home. Had I more funds, I would move them onto the transom with stainless holding brackets (like those for fenders) and clad them in navy blue covers, but for now they are fine in the cockpit.
There is also a dinghy davit to hoist our 10HP on board.
One small bug is that the canvas weather cloths in the cockpit restrict 360 turning of the winch handle. However if i had to chose between a quick tack and good size wave leaping into the cockpit, it seems a small price to pay for a little more awkward winching. If I don't like it at a later date, I can always remove the weather cloths.
We also have a gas BBQ on the stern, fed by a skinny 5lb propane. Yet to use it, but looking forward to doing so.
Another nice to have on board is the hot water tank which can be heated via the inverter / shore mains or the engine. This feeds hot water to head, galley and the cockpit shower.
Ah, the cockpit shower. Great for rinsing snorkelling gear and yourself. Runs off the main Jabsco water pump.
Great little ship. Every day we are on her, the happier we are with her.
There is a large cavity under the cockpit between the stern gland / prop shaft and the well of the cockpit into which there are hanging baskets of spares (fan belts, filters, etc). Accessing them in a hurry is tricky, but they are not everyday items and the less clutter the better in my opinion.
Engine access is great. It is some of the best I have seen on many boats. I have seen a few forums where people argue that having to clear a locker is a pain. It might be a minor inconvenience, however I can get my whole 6ft 95kg frame into the engine space in order to work on it. I can also access the sheaves and steering cables from the binnacle. If need be I can also access the engine from the aft berth on the port side although I don't have quite the same freedom. As a design feature, Tartans have a fibreglass well under the engine into which any oil or water leaks are easily identified, also you will never lose another nut or bolt into the bilge either. Very impressed with engine access and design. Well thought out!
The aft cockpit locker is also deep and capable of additional storage. There is a built in tray to protect the steering lines and quadrant from what ever you pile on top of it. There is also easy access to apply and use the emergency tiller.
The propane bottles don't quite have a home. Had I more funds, I would move them onto the transom with stainless holding brackets (like those for fenders) and clad them in navy blue covers, but for now they are fine in the cockpit.
There is also a dinghy davit to hoist our 10HP on board.
One small bug is that the canvas weather cloths in the cockpit restrict 360 turning of the winch handle. However if i had to chose between a quick tack and good size wave leaping into the cockpit, it seems a small price to pay for a little more awkward winching. If I don't like it at a later date, I can always remove the weather cloths.
We also have a gas BBQ on the stern, fed by a skinny 5lb propane. Yet to use it, but looking forward to doing so.
Another nice to have on board is the hot water tank which can be heated via the inverter / shore mains or the engine. This feeds hot water to head, galley and the cockpit shower.
Ah, the cockpit shower. Great for rinsing snorkelling gear and yourself. Runs off the main Jabsco water pump.
Great little ship. Every day we are on her, the happier we are with her.
The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one's health is more,
To lose one's soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.
The present only is our own,
So Live, Love, toil with a will --
Place no faith in 'Tomorrow' --
For the clock may then be still.
Robert H. Smith
©
1932-1982
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