1973 Tartan 34 vs 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F — Comparison
1973 Tartan 34
1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Tartan 34 | 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tartan | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1973–1984 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 10.20 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Tartan 34 and 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Tartan 34 is a 1970s design by Tartan from USA, while the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is a 1980s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1973 Tartan 34 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1973 Tartan 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is 2.44m longer than the 1973 Tartan 34. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F displaces approximately 93% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Tartan 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.27 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Tartan 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 45.0% for the 1973 Tartan 34 and 40.0% for the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Tartan 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Tartan 34 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 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.