1975 Pearson 39 vs 1983 Tartan 37 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
1983 Tartan 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | 1983 Tartan 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Tartan |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 1983–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 7,258 kg (16,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,084 kg (6,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and 1983 Tartan 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1983 Tartan 37 is a 1980s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The 1983 Tartan 37 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the 1975 Pearson 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 1983 Tartan 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1975 Pearson 39 is 0.61m longer than the 1983 Tartan 37. The 1975 Pearson 39 displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Pearson 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.83 and 60.8 m² of sail area. The 1983 Tartan 37, with an SA/D of 15.45 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Pearson 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Pearson 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1983 Tartan 37 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 42.5% for the 1983 Tartan 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Pearson 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1983 Tartan 37 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Tartan 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 1975 Pearson 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.