The Tartan 48 is and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 36.0′, the Tartan 48 tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.0′ LWL = 8.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
80s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Displacement / Length
273
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
8.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
11lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Tartan 48 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
X 482
Oyster 48 Lightwave
Swan 48 Ss
Tartan 48
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Soverel 48
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Tartan 48.
| Tartan 48 | Cc 48 Custom | Oyster 48 Lightwave | Soverel 48 | Swan 48 Ss | X 482 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 48.0 | 48.2 | 48.0 | 48.0 | 47.9 | 48.0 |
| LWL | 36.0 | 39.0 | 41.7 | 40.0 | 37.3 | 41.0 |
| Beam | 14.0 | 13.7 | 14.3 | 13.3 | 13.6 | 14.1 |
| Displacement | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 36 | 26 |
| Ballast | — | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
| Sail Area | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 80 | — | 62 | 111 | 72 | 15 |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.2 | 18.9 | — | 15.2 | 20.8 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 45.4 | — | 50.4 | 39.2 | — |
| Comfort | — | 32.0 | 27.6 | — | 42.5 | 28.0 |
| Capsize | — | 1.80 | 1.91 | — | 1.65 | 1.89 |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.4 | 8.7 | — | 8.2 | 8.6 |