1973 Islander 37 vs 2006 Tartan 4400 — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | 2006 Tartan 4400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Tartan |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.23 m (7.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 416 L (109.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and 2006 Tartan 4400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 2006 Tartan 4400 is a 2000s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 2006 Tartan 4400 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 2006 Tartan 4400 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.11m beam. The 2006 Tartan 4400 is 2.13m longer than the 1973 Islander 37. The 2006 Tartan 4400 displaces approximately 72% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The 2006 Tartan 4400, with an SA/D of 17.71 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2006 Tartan 4400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 2006 Tartan 4400 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 40.0% for the 2006 Tartan 4400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2006 Tartan 4400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 416L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 37 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2006 Tartan 4400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2006 Tartan 4400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1973 Islander 37 · 2006 Tartan 4400