tartan yachts closed

Common Issues With Tartan Yacht Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

October 4, 2022

Key Takeaways

• Tartan Yachts have a great history with quality designs
• Some older Tartans have issues that cannot be ignored in the deck, equipment, and galley
• Pay attention to the condition of the hull and engine
• A thorough inspection is needed before any purchase is made

‍ Tartan Yachts has had many designs over the years that have received positive reception. However, there are some common issues with Tartan Yachts.

Common issues with Tartan Yachts include an aluminum steel plate subject to galvanic corrosion, dark and narrow galleys, the outer layer of the hull is aged, and the cored deck. In addition, there was a serious incident years ago involving a boat that nearly sank due to a crack in the hull.

According to experienced sailors that own a Tartan sailboat, they have to be treated just like every other boat. This means doing the research before anyone decides to buy and maintain it if owning one.

Table of contents

‍ Tartan Yachts Issues

There are a handful of Tartan Yacht sailboats that are perfectly fine in design. The few that commonly have issues are the Tartan 3400, Tartan 3700, and the Tartan 4100.

Surprisingly, the older model Tartan’s were not the ones that had the issues compared to the slightly newer ones. The one’s designed in the 1990’s by Tim Jackett seem to be a recurring thing.

Age and Corrosion

For some boats, 20 years is just the beginning when it comes to life expectancy. However, some Tartan models have needed a little love when sailors are considering a boat with some nautical miles on it.

When looking at a Tartan, I would check the standing rigging, mast hardware, and the chainplates. Corrosion of the electrical system is another problem that needs to be addressed if inspected.

Furthermore, some have an aluminum plate that sped along production. There will likely be a lot of aluminum on the deck in some models.

This, along with dissimilar metals, causes galvanic corrosion. When this happens, it can cause the bolts to strip and make the hull-deck joint potentially fail.

Narrow Spaces and Galleys

Some Tartan’s have an issue of storage and tight galleys. The older models seemed to not focus on the space provided below deck or other areas on the boat.

For instance, there is not enough storage for a propane locker. Some even have low companionways that make it difficult to move around. This makes living aboard full time potentially an issue, including other issues at hand.

Reports have shown that they even used inexpensive materials to craft the galleys. Not only is the space limited, but it is not the best material.

Living full time on a sailboat is arguably more popular now than ever. Some boats’ designs did not have this as a priority, so the attention was simply not there.

Worn Out Hull

Sun damage to the hull is likely to happen to any boat that is older, so this process has to be taken care of over the years. For most casual sailors, this might be overlooked.

If considering a Tartan, I would definitely check the hull for cracks and imperfections. The gel coat previously used might have issues and visible hard spots could be apparent.

A manufacturer deficiency nearly caused a Tartan 3700 to sink in late 2006. Thankfully sailors acted quickly and called for help to be safely extracted.

The overlap between both of the molding sides did not meet lamination specs. This oversight in the construction process allowed a crack to form during normal use of the boat, causing it to take on water. It is important to check any hull, regardless of age.

A lot of older Tartan models used a cored deck instead of full fiberglass. While cored decks are appealing to the eye, they potentially have issues.

If the core soaks enough water, it will delaminate the outer fiberglass layers. This causes it to lose strength and change how it responds to pressure when underway.

This will likely need a professional boat inspection to conclude whether or not it is in good condition. To a trained eye, they will be able to tell the condition.

Not as Comfortable or Convenient

During their time of being built, Tartan Yachts were the affordable version of the Nautor Swan sailboats. The demand for these boats was quite strong, with roughly 500 of the 37 models being built in 1987.

As time passed, they continued to design other models for speed and not pay attention to other areas of the boat. For example, the anchoring system is a bit of a hassle compared to other methods used on various boats.

Everyone will have their own way of making life easier on board. Tartan just happened to have some models that were not as convenient.

Not as Fast

Tartan Yachts are able to sail fast, but only when given the right conditions. Their older models are typically larger and slower than other competitors.

For those that want a Tartan for racing, they might be let down. Older Tartans are not equipped to be a racer like the newer ones are.

Tips on Buying a Tartan Yacht

When considering a Tartan Yacht for personal use, sailors have to be honest about a variety of factors. I would personally inspect the condition of the boat as well as if it fits my budget. Do not be afraid to walk away from a deal if it does not make sense.

There are plenty of boats on the market to choose from, so no impulse buys either. Furthermore, I would take it out on the water during quality wind to see how it performed.

A budget is likely the determining factor for many sailors considering a sailboat. Tartans have held their value over the years, with an average price of $50,000 for older models.

I would also factor in maintenance costs per year for the boat, as well as any potential upgrades that it needs before it is able to sail. If some are not needed right away, this could be included in the equation.

When visiting any marina or checking online, it is important to determine what a good price is for a particular brand and model. In addition, sailors also need to examine current finances to see what is affordable.

A loan for a boat will take some time to put together. Being patient with the process is great to allow anyone the chance to inspect the boat.

Current Condition

If a Tartan has recently been through a “recent refit”, it is important to know that cosmetics are not everything when it comes to performance. While a boat is appealing to the eye when it is cleaned up, this should not be the main selling point.

Instead, I would look to see if new sails have been added, new lines, updates to the electrical system, or if the cored deck has been replaced. Paint often hides corrosion or imperfections, so I would check thoroughly if it has been repainted. These will save time and money down the road.

Depending on how old the boat is, it might be time for a new engine. I would consider what is already available and rebuild if possible.

Some Tartans might need new equipment such as electric winches or replacing an old compass. It is crucial to check the condition of items like these in order to ensure proper sailing.

Larger Galley

Depending on how sailors might use a Tartan, a larger galley could be beneficial. This might mean that a larger Tartan will be in the mix versus a smaller one to acquire a larger galley.

If I were living aboard a Tartan, I would need to accommodate my living space in addition to a crew. There will need to be plenty of room for supplies and essentials for traveling. Without enough room to properly store food or eat, this will make long distances almost impossible to travel.

Every sailor will have a different preference on size. Luckily, Tartan has a few models that do not differ that much in size.

Do Not Get Stuck on Perfect

Every boat is going to have an imperfection somewhere. It is important to understand this so that any potential buyer does not avoid boats that need a little work.

The perfect sailboat does not exist because everyone has different tastes. The best thing to do is find something that works for a specific sailing goal, while also keeping in mind that it could take a little maintenance to get going.

Being afraid of continuing maintenance is a recipe for disaster. Every boat will need love and attention at some point.

Purpose of Boat

What is the main purpose for purchasing a Tartan? Some sailors might want to cruise, live on them, or use it sparingly over a weekend. While they were popular in the 90’s, they are not considered a collector’s item.

Depending on sailing goals, Tartan has plenty to offer for any of those categories. If I were to sail long term, I would look for plenty of space for storage and how it handles offshore sailing. The point is to narrow down exact goals for long term use.

How it Handles Under Power

If taking a Tartan on a test sail, I would inspect how well it responds to the wind. A good 12 to 15 knots of wind is perfect for a boat this size to get a sense of what it is capable of doing. Anything less might make the boat difficult to sail.

I would also inspect the engine and determine how old it is. Check how it works in calmer waters or around the dock. Previous owners could potentially have harmed it with a lack of preventative maintenance.

Avoid Teak Decks

Some Tartans, if they have been restored, might have teak decks. Some even have teak seats, which are another expense to repair or replace.

While these are appealing to look at, it does not affect the performance of the boat. If purchasing a used one, it could make the price more expensive. It also makes the deck quite hot in warmer climates with a lot of sun.

After roughly 15 years, these have to be replaced and can cost a pretty penny. It is best to stick with original material or consider repairing what has already been used.

Type of Naval Architect

Tartan has had a handful of boat designers over the years. When narrowing down a specific boat model in a Tartan, it is important to see who made it.

The older models that had plenty of issues were built by Tim Jackett. However, it was typically during those few years and he has since made plenty of quality builds over the years.

Issues with Keel

One of the most crucial inspections on a boat is the keel. Sailors will need to check bilge area fore and aft outside of the keel.

Mishandling by grounding, incorrect hauling, or improper storage could affect the life of the keel. In addition, the bolts and flexibility of the hull could have been harmed by previous owners.

To check if the keel and hull have issues, look for the engine to see if it is out of line or if there is a gap in between the deadwood and ballast. Some sailors have chosen to reinforce the bilge area and the spots on the hull in which poppets take the brunt of the weight in dry storage. If purchasing from a previous owner, I would ask how they stored the boat.

Where to Find Quality Tartan Yachts

Tartan Yachts was founded in 1971 by Charlie Britton, with headquarters in Painesville, Ohio. They still continue to make quality builds that anyone can put to use in their sailing goals.

For buying new or used models, sailors can search online or at their local marina that sells boats. The most common places to find Tartan sailboats are in the US, mainly in California, New York, and Florida.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Tartan Yachts has a New Owner

• By The Editors
• Updated: April 6, 2020

Peter Whiting, Managing Partner, announced that Seattle Yachts International , is continuing its expansion and vertical integration with the recent acquisition of famed 60-year-old boat manufacturing operation, Tartan-Legacy.

Seattle Yachts has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Marine Manufacturing Group LLC (MMG) to purchase the assets of Tartan Legacy Yachts , a manufacturing operation that produces Tartan Sailing Yachts, Legacy Downeast Yachts, and AMP brand carbon fiber masts and spars.

Whiting explained that Seattle Yachts has been a dealer for both Tartan and Legacy yachts for several years and had a number of boats in the Tartan Legacy production pipeline when it became evident the Ohio-based manufacturer was experiencing financial difficulties.

“Look, it’s no secret that Tartan-Legacy had fallen onto some hard times of late and was struggling despite having a healthy order book and some nineteen boats in process on the production floor,” said Whiting.

“We could see that, with some needed recapitalization and the infusion of some heavy-duty boat building management talent, we could restore the brands to their historically strong positions in the market,” he continued “We also felt that would ultimately be to the benefit of everyone, including current and future customers, other Tartan-Legacy dealers, and, of course, ourselves, who had significant investments at stake, not to mention the 45 some people who work in the operation.”

Whiting explained further that when the urgency of the situation became clear, he retained well-known marine industry consultant and former president and CEO of Palmer Johnson Yachts, Phil Friedman, to help evaluate what might be done and, later, to consult in the acquisition.

Friedman, a long-time friend and marine business associate of Whiting’s, described the whirlwind of evaluation and due diligence activities that followed.

“To an outsider with little experience in the recreational marine industry, the speed at which this process moved might seem astounding,” Friedman said. “But in situations like this, accelerated decisions are the norm, not the exception.”

“The fact is, buying and owning a boat manufacturing operation is not for the faint of heart,” Friedman said. “Nor is it something for gentlemen hobbyists or bean-counters in pinstriped suits. It takes talent, hands-on experience in the industry, guts, and a fair measure of tolerance for risk.”

In turn, Whiting said that he was pleased to have Friedman available to help with the reorganization and relaunch of the Tartan Legacy operation because in addition to marine business management experience Friedman also has in-depth background in the construction of both sailing and luxury motor yachts 10- to 50-meter range.

Whiting also pointed out that he and Friedman are being joined on the MMG management team by long-time yacht production pro, Bill Macnab, who spent a couple of decades building boats and yachts in Asia at firms like McConaghy, Prout, Tri-Con, and Allegro — and who, before that, worked for many years at Westbay Sonship in British Columbia, Canada.

“Our main goal at Tartan-Legacy is, in the short term, to improve processes and through-put of the operation, while maintaining the high quality of construction, fit, and finish for which these brands have been known,” Macnab said.

Tim Jackett, Tartan-Legacy’s perennial in-house designer and product development manager will round out the team going forward. “Tim represents the best of what makes the Tartan and Legacy yachts what they are today,” Whiting said. “He brings to the mix a genuine wealth of historical knowledge, solid design sense, and the appetite for constant improvement and innovation.”

The Tartan-Legacy manufacturing operation is being moved to a new 52,000-square-foot facility in Painesville, Ohio, about five miles from its current location. Although only slightly larger than the current facility, the new plant is, according to Macnab, much better laid out for boat building than what Tartan-Legacy has had for the last ten or so years. And the long-term lease at the new facility assures Tartan and Legacy brands will continue to be built in the heartland of America for a long time to come.

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Tartan Yachts

For over 50 years, Tartan Yachts have set the standard when it comes to quality craftsmanship and performance in a sailboat. The Tartan creed is to deliver a yacht to the new owners that excels in all performance expectations, spares no expense when it comes to safety, and has the luxurious accommodations that one would anticipate when buying a yacht. It was 1960 when Charlie Britton, the design firm Sparkman & Stevens, and builder Douglass and McLeod would form a partnership to build the first Tartan 27. The Tartan 27 was a departure from the old world of wooden boats and used quality crafted fiberglass hulls to set itself apart during this new age of boat building. The company quickly needed to expand as new models splashed including the 34 and BlackWatch 37 and opened a second shipyard in North Carolina.

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TARTAN 455 SAILBOAT

TARTAN 395 SAILBOAT

Tartan Yachts LISTINGS

Quick Facts about Tartan Yachts

• Tartan Yachts was first founded in 1971 by Charles Britton.
• Today, Tartan Yachts is owned by MMG, a division of Seattle Yachts.
• The factory that builds Tartan Yachts is located in Painesville, Ohio.
• There have been more than 5,000 Tartan Yachts built and delivered.
• The largest Tartan model built today is the 455.

Tartan Yachts VIDEOS

As the innovations improved in the boat building industry, so did Tartan Yachts. Tartan soon became an award-winning company, including the Cruising World Boat of the Year award for both the Tartan 31 and 372. The materials used in building a Tartan also developed over time as new higher tech composites and vacuum-bagged resin infusions became available and offered a much stronger hull with better performance. Today, Tartan Yachts are among the best built sailboats in the world.

The Tartan Yachts difference is seen in every component, each technical detail, as well as the commitment Tartan makes in their comprehensive warranty. The decks on Tartan Yachts, for example, our built with longevity in mind and are among the strongest and stiffest of any sailboat in its class. With Tartan’s resin-infusion process, every deck is a 30% resin to 70% fiberglass ratio which is much better for performance than the 70% resin found in many competitive brand boats. This provides the strong, stiff result that Tartan decks are known for. 

Tartan’s comprehensive warranty gives owners a peace of mind as it is widely known as one of the best in the industry. Our team of designers and craftsmen take pride in the materials they use and their advanced building techniques. 

These factors combine to make such a high quality product that the Tartan warranty includes 10 years of blister and hull protection as well as a 2-year material and workmanship warranty. 

The Tartan factory currently produces 3 large boat models,  the Boat of the Year Award winning new Tartan 365, the newly designed Tartan 395 and the all new Tartan 455. Contact your Seattle Yacht Sales Professional today to start your search for the perfect Tartan sailboat.

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Tartan / C&C issues

• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

JimWitherspoon said: It is most regrettable that this site has been hijacked by a few people with an obvious grudge (and probably a financial reason) against Tartan. Camaradarie, Sailing Dog, Giulietta and others are clearly hopelessly biased observers. They spend their lives making postings on this site, and love to bash Taratn. WE NEED TO ASK WHY? None are Tartan owners!!!!!!Obviously, a sensible person doesn't spend their idle hours chasing down negative stuff on someone for no reason. I am a proud Tartan owner and am sick of the nonsense on this site. I am interested in HEARING FROM TARTAN OWNERS, not you screwballs who like to spend your lives spewing negative stuff. Click to expand...

SailNet Archive

Sailing Dog has averaged 30 postings a day on this site! What kind of life is that??? He apparently owns something called a Telstar 28, and like to act as an authority on other boats. MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS REPEATEDLY DOESN'T MAKE THEM TRUE. Before I bought my Tartan 3700, I checked out the company extensively because of all of the false statements that you and others have made on this site. I went to the factory 3 times and spoke with the Tartan management. Tartan has responded timely to each warranty claim I have made since I bought my boat. I couldn't be more pleased with the boat. I think that you and others on this site have an ax to grind. By the way, who are you Sailing Dog?  

camaraderie

Exactly what false statements are you accusing me of making? It would be nice to know so I could refute them. Instead you provide sweeping generalities and vague accusations of self interest and "bashing"...none of which has any specifics. You have 3 posts here and don't know anyone. All three posts are from Ohio close to the Tartan plant. All three posts bash me and other long term community members who many members have met and know personally and who have NO self interest in anything to do with Tartan or C&C. All three posts are devoid of any factual content to back up your accusations. I will leave it to the readers of this thread to decide who has an axe to grind and whose posts are suspicious.  

camaraderie said: You have 3 posts here and don't know anyone. All three posts are from Ohio close to the Tartan plant. Click to expand...

Sailing Dog has averaged 30 postings a day on this site! What kind of life is that??? Click to expand...

I think, I just saw Mr. Witherspoon on CNN. He was at Capital Hill looking for bailout money.  

Giu...I did NOT say he was from Tartan. Just that it is suspicious that so many one post "Tartan Owners" seem to emanate from that particular slice of Ohio. He can easily prove he is an owner and not a Novis/Tartan associate should he choose to do so. Otherwise I will remain suspicious.  

camaraderie said: Giu...I did NOT say he was from Tartan. Just that it is suspicious that so many one post "Tartan Owners" seem to emanate from that particular slice of Ohio. He can easily prove he is an owner and not a Novis/Tartan associate should he choose to do so. Otherwise I will remain suspicious. Click to expand...

Daisies are pretty.  

Thanks....  

and Violets are blue  

My Mom used to tell me "where there is smoke, there is usually fire". We've all heard that before. I was at the last boat show. I looked at the largest Tartan they had on display. It was impressive. That said, when I choose to purchase a new boat, one of the things I did was to look as hard as I could for negative information about the boat, company, support and such. I know there are all not perfect but when you see the UNDISPUTABLE ISSUES and LEGAL dealings currently in play, it should give one pause. I did look at Tartan before I choose to purchase a different boat. I'm glad I went another direction. There is no way I would invest the kind of $ it takes to purchase a 50 to 60 ft new boat with the kind of background legal noise existing currently. Enough said. Good luck with those who do. How long until this thread is REMOVED?  

smackdaddy said: Daisies are pretty. Click to expand...

northptsailor

A Tartan owner - NOT from Ohio! Mr. Witherspoon, You have asked that people who actually own Tartans write to offer testimony. I am the owner of 3700 hull 16. I could not be happier with the boat's design and the quality of the components used. My boat is both beautiful and quite fast for a comfortable cruiser. However, the quality control and the support of the factory with problems that came with the boat was not what I would have expected for a boat as costly as a 3700 Tartan. I would guess that Tartan owners haven't joined the discussion for fear that in the long run they will be hurting the resale value of their boats. I have spent a great deal of time re-sealing all my ports, freeing up the bind in my rudder bearing, and varnishing all the missed spots in the interior. If I ever sell my 3700, the new owner will get a truly wonderful boat! I honestly believe that there is nothing wrong with Tartan's products that could not be corrected with an attitude change in management. The fact that the factory has chosen to stonewall problems, rather than acknowledge them and work at solutions, tells me that nothing has changed since I purchased my boat. When I took delivery, the water gauge did not work. Not a big deal. My dealer never got around to fixing it, so I bought a new gauge, installed it and discovered that the problem was actually in the fluid level sending unit. A cadmium plated (poisonous) gasoline sender was installed in my fresh water tank. I purchased the proper stainless and plastic unit(much more expensive) and called Tartan to tell them that they might have a problem with other boats. The customer relations person told me it really wasn't a Tartan problem, since the water tanks were supplied by an outside contractor!! I hung up flabbergasted! I would like see more discussion about problems with manufacturers and dealers because it should serve to keep the people who supply us with boats, equipment, and services on their toes, rather than be viewed as a witch hunt. Bruce Miller owner of Pegasus, 3700 #16  

Cruisingdad

northptsailor said: A Tartan owner - NOT from Ohio! Mr. Witherspoon, You have asked that people who actually own Tartans write to offer testimony. I am the owner of 3700 hull 16. I could not be happier with the boat's design and the quality of the components used. My boat is both beautiful and quite fast for a comfortable cruiser. However, the quality control and the support of the factory with problems that came with the boat was not what I would have expected for a boat as costly as a 3700 Tartan. I would guess that Tartan owners haven't joined the discussion for fear that in the long run they will be hurting the resale value of their boats. I have spent a great deal of time re-sealing all my ports, freeing up the bind in my rudder bearing, and varnishing all the missed spots in the interior. If I ever sell my 3700, the new owner will get a truly wonderful boat! I honestly believe that there is nothing wrong with Tartan's products that could not be corrected with an attitude change in management. The fact that the factory has chosen to stonewall problems, rather than acknowledge them and work at solutions, tells me that nothing has changed since I purchased my boat. When I took delivery, the water gauge did not work. Not a big deal. My dealer never got around to fixing it, so I bought a new gauge, installed it and discovered that the problem was actually in the fluid level sending unit. A cadmium plated (poisonous) gasoline sender was installed in my fresh water tank. I purchased the proper stainless and plastic unit(much more expensive) and called Tartan to tell them that they might have a problem with other boats. The customer relations person told me it really wasn't a Tartan problem, since the water tanks were supplied by an outside contractor!! I hung up flabbergasted! I would like see more discussion about problems with manufacturers and dealers because it should serve to keep the people who supply us with boats, equipment, and services on their toes, rather than be viewed as a witch hunt. Bruce Miller owner of Pegasus, 3700 #16 Click to expand...

Thank you Bruce. The more educated we are the better.  

Northptsailor. I am standing up from my chair (where I post a lot because I have no life and can't sail for crap according to Jim), and am actually applauding you... You are a gentleman, and a real man.... I also fear that many tartan C&C owners don't post because they fear more aggressive law suit threats from Tartan lawyers, and fear that their issues in the future may not be answered...it's called a silent majority, where I come from... You are a true man with BIG BLACK HAIRY BALLS.... YOU ARE HERE INVITED TO SAIL WITH ME ANY TIME!!!! Thanks Alex  

CP..what are those?? Thanks  

CD, Tartan, as a company, did not have problems when I bought my boat (2001). The Tartan dealer took about a month to commission the boat and still delivered it with a multitude of problems. The quality of work done was so poor, that I chose to do all the corrections myself rather than give the dealer another chance to screw up my boat. My late wife was heartsick over the way we were treated. We wrote a letter to Tartan outlining the dealers behavior and we actually received a letter of apology from Tim Jackett. Of course, nothing was done at the time to correct the problem. The Tartan is the only new boat that I have ever purchased, so I really don't know if my experiences are shared by the buyers of other brands.But once again, I think that a forum like this is the best quality ensurer that you can have. When someone complained recently about the New York Sail Time person being non responsive, the fellow got right on Sailnet with an apology and seemed to really want to correct the problem. Bruce Miller Pegasus Tartan 3700 #16  

cardiacpaul said: alrighty then... I'm puttin' a dawg in this hunt. this is PUBLIC RECORD, taken directly from the lake county clerks office. just from my short tally, the novis/tartan/c&c/fairport/ross/navstar/northstar "group" is on the hook for about 5 million. MANY cases have been closed due to the numerous bankruptcy(s) of the various corp. entities. Without the slide rule, I'd say a little more than 15 million went "oops, sorry, we're not paying, 'cuz we're filing bankruptcy" Deal with it. I've been sued before, by better. I'm also the guy that hunted down a slimy texas lawyer and put him into the texas prison system because he thought I was some hick without a couple of neurons firing. So, pick up the fone, and call your carpetbagger barrister, I'm waitin'. heres the list. NAV STAR AKA DFNDT Closed 94CV000152 NAV STAR MARINE AKA DFNDT Closed 94CV000105 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 93CV001843 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 91CV000762 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 93CV001314 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 94CV000105 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 94CV000152 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DBTR Closed 50-079A NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 93CV001421 NAVSTAR MARINE CO DFNDT Closed 93CV000280NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 63-115B NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 63-152B NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY PLNTF Closed 94CV001597 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 57-143B NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 60-039B NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 03JL002387 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 03JL002403 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Open 07JL000306 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Open 07JL000308 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY PLNTF Closed 93CV001751 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DFNDT Closed 93CV001840 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DFNDT Closed 93CV001213 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Open 06JL002833 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Open 07JL0003 NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 63-115A NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 56-072B NAVSTAR MARINE COMPANY DBTR Closed 00JL002276 NAVSTAR MARINE INC AKA DFNDT Closed 93CV001843 NORTHSTAR YACHTS INC AKA DFNDT Closed 91CV000762 NORTHSTAR YACHTS INC NKA DBTR Closed 50-079A NOVIS COMPOSITES LTD DFNDT Open 08CV001716 NOVIS COMPOSITES LTD DFNDT Closed 06CV000964 NOVIS COMPOSITES LTD DBTR Open 08JL000164 NOVIS MARINE DFNDT Closed 06DR000484 NOVIS MARINE LTD PLNTF Closed 07CV002697 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 08JL002719 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 07JL002192 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 08JL003159 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 06CV000965 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 08CV000971 NOVIS MARINE LTD PLNTF Closed 07CV003537 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 08CV000845 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 07CV000104 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 06CV001189 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 07CV003662 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Closed 08CV001463 NOVIS MARINE LTD PLNTF Closed 07CV003008 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 08JL000164 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Open 08CV002643 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Open 08CV001716 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 08JL001506 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 08JL001126 NOVIS MARINE LTD DBTR Open 08JL001931 NOVIS MARINE LTD DFNDT Open 08CV002565 TAPTAN YACHTS DBA DFNDT Open 08CV002565 TAPTAN YACHTS DBA DBTR Open 08JL001506 TAPTAN YACHTS DBA DBTR Open 08JL001126 TAPTAN YACHTS DBA DFNDT Open 08CV001716 TAPTAN YACHTS DBA DBTR Open 08JL001931 TAPTAN YACHTS DBA DFNDT Closed 08CV001463 TARTAN YACHTS DBA DFNDT Open 08CV002565 TARTAN YACHTS DBA DBTR Open 08JL001506 TARTAN YACHTS DBA DFNDT Open 08CV001716 TARTAN YACHTS DBA DBTR Open 08JL001126 TARTAN YACHTS DBA DFNDT Closed 08CV001463 TARTAN YACHTS DBA DBTR Open 08JL001931 FAIRPORT YACHT LTD DBTR Closed 03JL001597 FAIRPORT YACHT LTD DFNDT Closed 03CV001810 FAIRPORT YACHT SALES LTD DFNDT Open 08CV001716 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DBTR Closed 04JL001519 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Closed 07CV001202 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Closed 03DR000528 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Open 08CV002565 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Closed 01CV000308 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DBTR Closed 03JL002474 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Closed 04CV000965 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD PLNTF Closed 99CV000890 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD PLNTF Closed 00CV001588 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DBTR Closed 02JL002306 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DBTR Closed 05JL000729 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Closed 02CV001924 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DFNDT Closed 00CV000041 FAIRPORT YACHTS LTD DBTR Closed 01JL000650 ROSS, WILLIAM DFNDT Closed 92CV000203 ROSS, WILLIAM DFNDT Closed 99CV000955 ROSS, WILLIAM J DBTR Closed 03JL001597 ROSS, WILLIAM J DFNDT Closed 08CV001463 ROSS, WILLIAM J DBTR Closed 02JL002306 ROSS, WILLIAM J DFNDT Closed 02CV001924 ROSS, WILLIAM J DBTR Closed 03JL002474 Anybody wanna sue me? knock yourself out:hothead Click to expand...

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Here Are all the Cruise Lines That Have Canceled Russia Sailings

Poseidon Expeditions is the latest addition, canceling seven itineraries

Astrid was the Senior Special Projects Editor at TripSavvy.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, cruise line after cruise line has altered itineraries with stops in Russian ports or canceled voyages entirely.

Poseidon Expeditions is the latest addition to this list after a March 17 statement announcing that seven polar voyages are canceled for the summer. An additional four Arctic sailings have new itineraries. "The terrible situation in Ukraine makes planned operations in Russian waters untenable, and we cannot support promoting these trips in any way for the 2022 season," said Angelica Vorea, founder and CEO of parent company Poseidon Arctic Voyages, Ltd.

Carnival Cruise Line, Windstar, and Atlas Ocean Voyages were some of the first big names to announce that they scrapped all stops in St. Petersburg. Carnival announced via Twitter they will be swapping Russia out of all current cruise itineraries in the coming week "once alternative ports can be confirmed." In the same post, the cruise line's holding company, Carnival Corporation, stood by Ukraine in light of the attacks, declaring, "We stand for peace."

Royal Caribbean Group released a statement canceling stops in St. Petersburg for summer 2022 sailings for all its brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silver Sea. "We have planned alternative ports and will communicate itinerary changes in the next few days to our guests and travel partners. Guests can feel comfortable knowing they are able to reschedule their cruise with our Cruise with Confidence program," the statement read.

MSC Cruises, which had four ships scheduled to call in St. Petersburg beginning this May, announced it had suspended all Russian stops and was in negotiations for possible alternative options, including Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tallinn.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also announced that they would remove Russian and Ukrainian ports from 2022 itineraries across their brands, including Norwegian, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas.

"It's disappointing because St. Petersburg is one of the crown jewels of the Scandinavian itineraries," said Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, during the company's earnings call last Thursday.

Regent Seven Seas had particularly significant plans for Russia this year, with several stacked itineraries, including the Solovetsky Islands, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, St. Petersburg, and Odessa, Ukraine. Norwegian Cruise Line canceled a majority of its Baltic sailings on the Norwegian Getaway. Some cruise lines are forgoing modification and canceling their itineraries outright. The luxury river cruise line, Scenic, scrapped all of its 2022 Russia cruises. Viking River Cruises canceled all Russian river cruises and its planned Kyiv, Black Sea & Bucharest routes this year due to the events. Russian stops on Viking's ocean itineraries will be modified, and impacted guests and travel advisors will be notified.

The cancellations add to the ripple effect Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused throughout the travel industry. Earlier in March, travel expert and television personality Rick Steves announced he would be canceling all Russian tours that his company, Rick Steves' Europe, had planned this year.

"Our mission ... is to help Americans better know and understand our neighbors through travel," Steves wrote in a blog post from late February. "But when we bring travelers to another country, we also bring their dollars—dollars that would support Putin's aggression. Therefore, as of today, we have canceled all 2022 tours that include a stop in Russia."

Cruise Industry News. " Poseidon Expeditions Cancels 2022 Russia, North Pole Programs. " March 17, 2022.

Travel Weekly. "Update: Cruise Lines Cancel Ukraine and Russia Calls." February 28, 2022.

Cruise Critic. "Cruise Lines Alter Russia Itineraries, Cancel Ports Due to Ukraine Conflict." March 15, 2022.

Reuters. "Norwegian Cruise Cancels Sailings to Russia, Ukraine Ports." February 24, 2022.

Travel Pulse. "Cruise Lines Cancel Scheduled Stops in Russia, Ukraine." February 25, 2022.

Viking River Cruises. " Updates on Current Sailings. " March 1, 2022.

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Targeting super yachts owned by Russian oligarchs could hit a nerve in Moscow

Poor transparency around ownership of assets can cause challenges, experts say.

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With sanctions levied and financial assets seized, Russian oligarchs have been scrambling to get their super yachts out of Western ports in search of safer harbours. 

One yacht, said to belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, abruptly left port in Hamburg, Germany, just weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted wide-reaching sanctions. Others were not so quick to leave European ports. 

Authorities in La Ciotat, on France's Mediterranean coast, seized a yacht they say is linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Igor Sechin, the CEO of state oil company Rosneft. He was Russia's deputy prime minister from 2008 to 2012.

• Canada slaps sanctions on Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich
• Analysis With Russia pressing on and Ukraine digging in, how will Putin's war actually end?

Industry watchers say oligarchs everywhere are trying to keep their yachts from being taken.

​​"There's a few yachts that we are watching at the moment in the Atlantic," said Sam Tucker, head of super yachts at the firm VesselsValue, which tracks and estimates the value of these giant luxury yachts. 

"I'm expecting some of them to start doing U-turns in the middle of the ocean," he told CBC Radio's Day 6 .

Western countries have imposed a punishing package of sanctions and export control restrictions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's biggest banks were hit, as was the country's central bank. Major state-owned companies and some of the country's wealthiest individuals have seen overseas assets frozen.

The investment bank JP Morgan Chase believes Russia's economy will shrink 35 per cent in the second quarter of 2022 and seven per cent for the entire year.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki says the suite of sanctions is meant to make every aspect of life difficult on Putin and the oligarchs who protect him.

"What we're talking about here is seizing their assets, seizing their yachts and making it harder for them to send their children to go to colleges and universities in the West," Psaki said in a briefing this week. "These are significant steps that will impact the people who are closely around President Putin."

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Putin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Putin</a>´s Yacht "The Gracefull" inbound Kaliningrad from Hamburg in anticipation of future sanctions due to the conflict in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a>. <a href="https://t.co/qdhAUhCH1m">pic.twitter.com/qdhAUhCH1m</a> &mdash; @GDarkconrad

Symbolic target

The yachts themselves are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but experts in Russian sanctions say this isn't just about the dollar value.

"They don't have much value compared to the total net worth of an oligarch," said Bill Browder, a long-time advocate for stiff sanctions against Russian oligarchs, in an email to CBC Radio. 

But they are "a highly symbolic attack on something coveted by the oligarchs."

These ultra-luxurious ships became a status symbol for the oligarchs as they amassed fortunes in the 1990s and early 2000s.

"There is a bit of oneupmanship," Tucker told Day 6 . He says the biggest and most expensive ships are cloaked in secrecy. They have extreme privacy and security features, including bulletproof glass, and some require crew to sign non-disclosure agreements.

But Tucker says the biggest security and privacy feature of all is the opaque ownership structure of the yachts. He says precious little information about who actually owns these ships is available.

"[Only] basic information is disclosed — for example, the registered owner — which is often a shell company or a 'special interest vehicle' registered in Monaco, Malta, [or the] Cayman Islands," he said.

Untying those knots is a notorious problem, but one usually confined to taxation issues.

"One thing that I think may come out of this whole situation is the increased call for transparency and transparent ownership," said Tucker.

Yachts on the move

So far, only four super yachts have been seized, including a 213-foot yacht owned by Alexei Mordashov in Imperia, Italy.

While authorities sift through the byzantine paper trail of ownership, other oligarchs have scrambled their crews to get the yachts to somewhere safe.

"One of the things I've been trying to figure out is, where do they go [next]?" asked Alex Finley, a former CIA officer living in Barcelona, in an interview with  As It Happens host Gillian Findlay .

This week, Finley tweeted photos tracking a ship said to be owned by Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns the Chelsea Football Club.

• Anxious Russians flee by the hundreds each day into neighbouring Finland

"A lot of these yachts that we've been looking at are heading towards the Maldives or the Seychelles. A few are in Montenegro, but they look like they're probably going to be on the move," Finley said in the interview .

Here you can see the sterns of both Aurora and Valerie, and in the other pic, the empty slip where Solaris used to be (which is the size of the empty hole in my heart). 7/ <a href="https://t.co/Luvj5vyWXp">pic.twitter.com/Luvj5vyWXp</a> &mdash; @alexzfinley

Neither the Maldives nor the Seychelles signed onto the sanctions, so the ships are probably safe from seizure there. Another major hub is Dubai.

"I think we're going to see Dubai as a big hotspot for these yachts," said Tucker. "It has hot weather all year round and … Russians can fly to Dubai without going through the EU airspace."

Tucker agrees that targeting the yachts is a symbolic move.

"It's really sending the message that they aren't untouchable. We've closed the skies on both sides of the Atlantic so their private jets can't operate, and now we're going after their super yachts," he said.

"I'd be feeling quite vulnerable if I was an oligarch right now."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior Business reporter for CBC News. A former host of On the Money and World Report on CBC Radio, Peter Armstrong has been a foreign correspondent and parliamentary reporter for CBC. Subscribe to Peter's newsletter here: cbc.ca/mindyourbusiness Twitter: @armstrongcbc

Interview with Sam Tucker produced by Rachel Levy-Mclaughlin

Related Stories

• U.K. imposes sanctions on Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich

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Finest Interiors in the Industry

Simply beautiful.

• Interiors are custom built in house for each specific yacht. This results in improved fit and in additional customization options. Tables can include Tartan inlays.
• Pieces are CNC cut for accuracy.
• Wood is bent in house for beautiful, continuous curves.
• Yachts typically feature solid cherry interiors with hardwood cabin soles and solid teak handrails. Other hardwood combinations are available upon request.
• No fake or man-made wood products are used. All wood is solid, high-quality, natural wood.

Picturesque, but Functional

Vents are built into the top and bottom of each cabinet door for superior ventilation.   Tartan’s exclusive design provides a distinguished appearance more reminiscent of a home.

Select yachts feature the intricate, inviting beauty of tongue and groove cherry on the cabin hull sides.

Every interior drawer features a solid cherry wood face that is dovetailed to an all wood drawer. Not only is this a tribute to the level of attention to detail at Tartan, but it is also an indicator of the durability of a Tartan Yacht. While other builders rely on glues or tacks that will loosen or entirely separate over time, at Tartan, we have chosen a method that will withstand daily use and still last long into the future.

Solid cherry passage doors are surrounded by cherry door jambs. Every passage door also showcases a Tartan trait – raised panels for a distinguished appearance. This may sound like a small detail, but when the appearance of a Tartan door is compared to other doors out there, the competition falls flat – literally.

Tartan Yachts maintain their classic looks with polished chrome hardware accenting the solid wood doors. Passage doors feature polished chrome mortised door lock sets while cabinet doors utilize complementary polished chrome positive locks. By using the best, doors stay closed, even in uncooperative conditions, but all of your stored items are still easily accessible.

Light Weight, Low Maintenance

Beneath the beauty, the interiors are high tech.

For our cabin sole, we utilize a thin wood layered over composite panels. This combination is simply genius. It showcases the fine appearance of the solid wood while decreases the weight substantially. Further, it provides strength and durability backed by composite panels that are impervious to water intrusion. As an added bonus, the wood is thick enough that it can be refinished to keep it looking like new for years to come.

Ventilation

The ventilation on a Tartan Yacht is so good it’s a breath of fresh air.

Ventilation is imperative to a positive experience down below on a yacht. At Tartan, our interiors are designed with air flow in mind. Each yacht features numerous openings to allow the air to flow. In fact, the 3700 even includes an opening in the main bulkhead that’s sole purpose is air flow.

It is important to note that the hatches, ports and vents on a Tartan aren’t just any openings either. While our competitors sometimes opt for the base versions that promise optimum air flow and watertight closures, these low end varieties typically underperform. At Tartan, we don’t skimp as we understand the importance of air flow and the frustration of a leaky port. You’ll notice that our hatches and port lights are stainless steel, high quality, and functional for letting in the light and breeze.

Our hatches are stainless steel, unlimited offshore, CE approved deck hatches. They can cross oceans or just make the interior a perfect sleeping temperature on a calm night at anchor. For further comfort, our hatches can be outfitted with low profile shade screens to keep the air flow going and the bugs firmly outside, or to keep the sun’s rays at bay while the hatch is closed.

Tartan port lights, mounted in either the cabin sides or cockpit provide extra cross flow and air circulation in areas that cannot be fitted with hatches. It is a Tartan standard for all of these port lights to be opening, stainless steel ports, with fly screens installed.

Lastly for those hard to reach areas, dorade vents are added to provide passive ventilation. These chrome dorade vents vary by the model, but all can be equipped with stainless steel dorade guards to let in the air, but keep out the weather.

So, what is a typical number of openings on a Tartan Yacht? The Tartan 4300 includes a staggering 25 openings to the exterior. The breakdown is as follows:

• (7) Stainless steel unlimited offshore CE approved deck hatches
• (12) Cabin side mounted stainless steel opening port lights with fly screens
• (2) Cockpit mounted stainless steel opening port lights with fly screens
• (4) 4” Chrome dorade vents with stainless steel guard
• Custom curved Lexan sliding companionway hatch with solid teak hatch boards and trim

As the actual number of opening varies by the model, please see the full listing on the specification sheet of each model.