Here's a photo of the Bourdon's Tartan 34 C in a regatta from 2010. The other boat is Family Tides owned by Paul and Bambi Macpherson
The Tartan 34 Classic Association, founded by George H. Colligan and Deane Holt, is made up of some 100 Tartan 34 Classic Sailboats primarily in 14 regions in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The Tartan 34 was designed by Olin Stephens of Sparkman and Stephens Company and is built by Tartan Yachts. This boat is highly appreciated for her seaworthiness and ease of handling. Several Tartan 34 Classics have sailed around the world and across the Pacific and Atlantic and back. The current commodore is David Bourdon and the vice commodore is Richard Lariviere of Montreal, Canada. Mary Ina Bourdon is the treasurer of the Tartan 34 Classic Association. Holt remains an active contributor to the Association as well as former commodore, web administrator, and true friend.
I sail my 1967 Tartan 34 Classic Celebration out of Bodkin Creek as a member of the Bodkin YC. With my wife and Admiral, Mary Ina Bourdon. We have been very active as members of the U.S. Coast Auxiliary for 38 years. I am one of three founders and first commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Tartan Sailing Club and now Commodore of the Tartan 34 Classic Association.
Mary Ina and I have been sailing together since 1975, and each of us since our teens. For me, a teenage friend’s family had a 35-foot sloop and of course I was invited to work on the boat as well as sail on her. I fell in love with sailing and knew that someday, I would have one, too.
Sailing as a member of a cruising club/association is an extension of your family. Rafting with other boats, learning more about your boat, and sailing with others are freedoms one just has to experience. Every cruise and rendezvous is as exciting as the first one. Enjoying Mother Nature’s water, wind, and current, one has a true appreciation of the gift we have to sail our East Coast and the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.
If you’re interested in the Tartan 34 Classic sailboat, our association, and what we are currently doing, please feel free to call me at (410) 384-7753.
~Commodore David A. Bourdon
