When sailor demand called for an offshore one-design in the late 1970s, Tartan Marine answered with the Tartan Ten. Many racers were unsatisfied with the high-cost, arms-race style of racing under the IOR and were unimpressed with the rule-driven boats. The market needed a racer in the 30 foot range that could double as a family cruiser/daysailer. The 1978 Sparkman and Stephens-designed 33-foot Tartan helped define the new category of offshore one-design: the ability ot handle coastal and offshore racing with the appeal of a one-design and a small family weekend cruiser.

The Tartan Ten entered the scene with a new look: flush deck with cockpit-led controls keeps everything clean for easy sailing. A fractional rig carries an easily handled 100% jib. Its broad stern, designed with offshore downwind performance in mind, opens up the cockpit for multiple crew members. Tartan introduced these features, most of which can be found on today’s offshore one-designs, for half the cost of the popular One Tonners at the time.

Without sacrificing speed for comfort, the Tartan Ten’s modest six-berth interior was a large improvement over the stripped racing interiors of the time. Reflecting the boat’s all-around purpose, the cabin provides comfort for an offshore crew, a regatta liveaboard, or during a family overnight.

Tartan Marine’s effect on the racing community with the T10 went beyond the boat. Now Sailors could forget about their boat’s rating and compete boat for boat. Inshore, Tartan’s energized approach to fleet development, spawned large fleets throughout the Midwest. The all purpose mission of the Tartan Ten: ready for offshore, good around the buoys, and fun for the small-family cruise or daysail.

- Josh Adams, SAIL Magazine