- Year: 1999
- Length: 38 ft
- Price: $139,500
- Located in Seattle, WA US
- Hull Material: Fiberglass
- Engine/Fuel Type: diesel
- YW# 0
La Bamba is an exceptional, meticulously maintained example of the highly regarded Tartan 3800 — a sloop celebrated for its high‑quality craftsmanship and construction, elegant lines and balanced performance. Among the 43 hulls built, La Bamba (Hull No. 41) is almost certainly one of the finest examples, presenting more cleanly and more comprehensively upgraded than any comparable boat on the market.
This vessel has benefited from truly exceptional ownership, with extensively documented upgrades and maintenance which go far beyond routine care. In 2020, the mast and boom were stripped, powder‑coated, extensively rewired, new mast lighting and all accompanied by all‑new standing rigging throughout; a major and costly refit rarely seen. The modern Raymarine Axiom+ 12" and accompanying electronics suite fitted 2022–2023, Webasto diesel hydronic heat, hot water system, and fridge/freezer, combined with the warm cherry interior contribute to this is a high quality yacht.
Tartan has long been admired for building yachts that combine beauty, strength, craftsmanship, and intelligent design. La Bamba represents that heritage at its best. Whether cruising with family or sailing single‑handed (all lines lead to the cockpit), this 3800 delivers comfort, confidence, and the unmistakable feel of a premium performance cruiser.
Cruising World captured the essence of the design perfectly in its 1995 review: “The Tartan 3800 is a sensible cruising boat… comfortable to work or relax aboard, conservatively constructed, and its profile will please the eye as much in 10 years as it does today.” That prediction proved true — the 3800 still turns heads in every marina, and La Bamba stands out even among them.
Step aboard and you immediately sense the difference: the woodwork is rich and clean, systems are thoughtfully updated, and every component reflects careful stewardship.
If you’re searching for a Tartan 3800 that rises above the rest — one with a major rig refit, modern navigation suite, and the kind of care that makes a 25‑year‑old yacht feel like a 5‑year‑old one — La Bamba is the standout choice.
Make
Make: Tartan Builder: Tartan Designer: Tim Jackett
Measurements
Length Overall: 38.00 ft Max Draft: 5.33 ft Displacement:16.00 lb 16.00 Ballast Weight: 6.00 lb Beam: 12.00 ft
Engines
Total Power: 37|horsepower Engine Brand: Yanmar Year Built: 1999 Engine Model: 3JH2E Engine Type: Inboard Engine/Fuel Type: diesel Engine Hours: 1130 Engine Power: 37|horsepower
Tanks
Fresh Water Tanks: 1 (80 Gallons) Fuel Tanks: 1 (38 Gallons)
Notable Upgrades
- New Standing rigging 2020
- Full Mast Rebuild -powder coated new wiring and new lights
- Boom powder coated
- Newer Raymarine Electronics throughout -Axiom interface sync\'s with Ipad
- Newer #2 Genoa
- Forward Stateroom has double V-berth with sink and hanging locker and drawer storage
- Dressing seat with storage below
- Aft double berth stateroom with hanging locker
- Spacious head with separate stand up shower -bi-fold acrylic doors and storage for wet items
- Main salon features U shaped settee to starboard which can convert to additional sleeping area using one side of leaf of the table
- Drop leaf cherry table off-center
- Bench settee to port
- Warm Cherry interior through out
- Webasto diesel hydronic heat 2014 additionally plumbed through water heater
- Solid Cherry woodwork and teak and holly sole
- Hood stainless steel opening port lights
- Cabin fans
- 6\'2" headroom
- LPG gimbaled Force 10 3 burner stove with oven
- Vitrofrigo top and front loading refrigerator
- Top loading refridgerator
- Built in rubish bin
- Drawer and cabinet storage
- Corian countertops with cherry trim and integral sink
- Hot and cold pressurized water
- Manual fresh water pump
- Stainless steel mooring cleats
- Lewmar pro 1000 windlass
- Galvanized 3/8\' rode
- Harken winches (2) 48\'s (2) 32\'s
- Delta plow type anchor
- Stainless dorade vents with stainless steel guards (4)
- Varnished teak toe rail Teak grab rails with canvass covers
- Whitlock Rack and Pinion Pedestal Steering System
- Leather wrapped 40 Edsen folding wheel (space saving in cockpit)
- Cockpit table- Folds in place from pedestal
- Holding tank deck pump-out
- Dripless shaft seal
- Max Prop - 3 blade feathering
- Custom Navpod housing (2022) with custom pre-cut for:
- Axiom 12+ (2022)
- RMK-10 remote keypad (2022)
- Raymarine Card reader + USB (2022)
- 2x I80s Multifunction display (2022)
- DST800 Transducer (depth, temperature and speed)
- Ray53 VHF Radio (2023)
- Raymarine Radar Radome 18" (fitted 2022) - this was new and never fitted by previous owner not sure on purchase date)
- Raymarine ITC Transducer converter (2022)
- Xantrex battery monitor
- 30 amp Shore power inlet
- 3 AGM Group 27 House Batteries to 1 Start Battery (4D AGM)
- 10 gal stainless steel water heater (110 volt and hydronic heat), fresh water cooled with heat exchanger
- Dacron Mainsail with full battens, Antal Bat Car System
- Carol Hasse re-cut 130% roller furling genoa
- 110% roller furling jib Kevlar/Mylar by Sobstad
- Harken headstay Furler
- SailTec Hydraulic Backstay
- Lazy jacks
- Harken 48 St winches [2]
- Harken 32 St winches [2]
- New Standing rigging 2020
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.