1980 Peterson 34 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
1980 Peterson 34
1997 Tartan 3700
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Tartan |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Tartan 3700 is 0.92m longer than the 1980 Peterson 34. The 1997 Tartan 3700 displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 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 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Peterson 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 1980 Peterson 34 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.