Well, here’s some good news to share this week. Last Friday, Great Lakes Rigging and Supply announced that it had purchased Tartan Yachts of Plaineville, Ohio from Michael Reardon who had acquired the company from Seattle Yachts last September. Reardon will no longer be part of the company.
One of America’s oldest boat building brands, Tartan was launched in 1961 by founder Charlie Britten but in recent months it’s future has been uncertain at best. Jon Duer of Great Lakes, who also owns a Doyle Sails franchise, will be Tartan’s new CEO and was joined in the purchase by several marine industry professionals.
For the immediate future, Duer reports that their task at hand is to finish the three boats in the factory for the existing customers. Their intention is to maintain Tartan’s legendary quality and to limit production going forward to eight to 12 boats per year.
Although new sailboat building in the U.S. has almost faded from the boating market, with the recent demise of Catalina Yachts, also a Reardon acquisition in 2025, the news of Great Lakes Rigging’s purchase has brought prospective customers back to the table.
Of particular interest is the new Tartan 455, a pilot-house sloop that redefines the company’s position as a creator of modern, performance cruising boats. Tartan builds seven models from 24 to 53 feet, all designed by Tartan’s long-time designer Tim Jackett.
Entering it’s 65th year of continuous boat building and known for all-carbon hulls, decks and spars, the Ohio-based company is truly an American treasure so it is great to see it survive and look to the future under new owners.
Read more about tartan Yachts here.
(Photo above is of a new Tartan 395 with me at the helm during a sail trail for Blue Water Sailing a decade ago. GD)
