2004 Oyster 46 vs 2006 Tartan 4400 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
2006 Tartan 4400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Oyster 46 | 2006 Tartan 4400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Tartan |
| Year | 2004–2010 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.23 m (7.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 416 L (109.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Oyster 46 and 2006 Tartan 4400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2006 Tartan 4400 is a 2000s offering from Tartan from USA. The 2004 Oyster 46 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2006 Tartan 4400 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 2004 Oyster 46 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2006 Tartan 4400 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.11m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 0.61m longer than the 2006 Tartan 4400. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Oyster 46 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.97 and 90.0 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 2006 Tartan 4400 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46 and 40.0% for the 2006 Tartan 4400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Oyster 46 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2006 Tartan 4400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 416L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 46 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.