1975 Pearson 39 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
1997 Tartan 3700
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Tartan |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1975 Pearson 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1975 Pearson 39 is 0.61m longer than the 1997 Tartan 3700. The 1975 Pearson 39 displaces approximately 10% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 39 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Pearson 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.