39 o'day sailboat

O'DAY 39 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of O'DAY 39. Built by O'Day Corp. and designed by Philippe Briand, the boat was first built in 1982. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 11.76. Its sail area/displacement ratio 15.60. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Universal, runs on Diesel.

O'DAY 39 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about O'DAY 39 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the o'day 39.

O'DAY 39 was designed by Philippe Briand.

Who builds O'DAY 39?

O'DAY 39 is built by O'Day Corp..

When was O'DAY 39 first built?

O'DAY 39 was first built in 1982.

How long is O'DAY 39?

O'DAY 39 is 10.21 m in length.

What is mast height on O'DAY 39?

O'DAY 39 has a mast height of 13.5 m.

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O'Day 39 general knowledge and conversation

• Thread starter JAyers
• Start date Sep 15, 2014
• Oday Owner Forums
• Bigger Boats

My name is Josh Ayers, My wife and I just recently purchased a 1983 O'day 39 in San Diego CA. The reason for this post is fairly generic. I want to learn all I can about this model of boat. Outlets for parts and service either local or requiring shipping, General discussion about experiences with these boats from current and previous owners. Sail combinations that worked best for individual uses. Really very broad topics. I just would like to hear any and all things related to the O'Day 39. You can see from my profile I know very little about sailing. I have researched it a lot thru books and online but I really havent found much about the 39. There is a lot of info on O'day in general and while very interesting I would like to narow the field to the 39 in particular. I realize that any information spoken about on here will be based partly on opinions. Opinions are based on experience and experience is key so please feel free to share your experiences. Just a bit about me so you can get an accurate feel about my experience... or lack there of. I have been an underground miner for the last 20 years. I have worked in 21 different mines across the U.S.A. The ability to travel for work has encouraged me and taught me that the world can be a scary place but worth looking around. 7 years ago my wife and I decided we want to get out of the debt we had aquired and buy a boat. Well we are very close to accomplishing that now. We have sold our home, bought a boat and finishing off the last of the pesky bills. Our youngest child will graduate in 3 years so we are going to stick it out until then. That will give us time to put some savings away and learn to sail. While we are waiting the next few years we are also modifying the boat and making it safe for offshore sailing. It has taken a long time to get here and we have a little while left to go. When we do finally push off we will only be in our mid to late fourties. We have owned power boats our entire boating career so we are not completely new to boating but sailing is a new endevour. We have taken the boat out once already and were successful getting it back to the slip. Spent the entire day saling off the coast of San Diego tacking north along the coast. In the afternoon we turned around and headed back south to San Diego harbor. I figured we sailed about 26 nm. not far for a sailor that has a clue but quite the accomplisment for a couple that only watched from the shore until then. At anyrate I look forward to hearing from somebody or everybody. Thanks and have a great day!!, Josh  

Pura Vida 85

39 owner Owned a 39 for six years. Bought in florida sailed to home port in NY. (Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club). Have sailed it since, as far north as Montauk & South to Key West. Close hauls better than any boat I've sailed. Does have some weather helm. Mine has the lead keel so handles heavy weather very well. I have a jenny & jib (that I mostly use as an emergency spare.) also has an Autohelm wind vain which works well in all weather & winds. You can purchase anything you need for an O'day from Rudy at DR Marine, 14 Water St. Assonet, MA 508-644-3001. I even got a new bow pulpit from him when mine was damaged by a dolphin pole in a storm. Very knowledgable guy about o'days. * Good luck with yours & don't ever stop sailing. *Bob Brooks *('~') <[::]> * / *\  

39 owner PS. I have sailed in SD. Love your weather.  

Re: 39 owner Thank you for your feed back and info. Very encouraging to hear the wind vane worked well. I don't know if the keel is steel or lead on mine. The marine surveyor said steel so I'll have to go with that. I was looking at the hid and if I read it correctly it is the 22nd hull. I wonder if steel or lead was a early late model item or if it was just a random thing. Glad to hear your positive comments and thank you again  

Hi Josh, I have an O’day 39 , hull # 53. I travel for business so I have a chance to meet many 39 owners. They all seem to agree that the 39 is one of the best deals out there. I recall seeing your boat posted for sale. From what I remember, I think you have a good boat. My boat has a steel keel and is a shoal draft. I’m not the expert on the 39 but I know who is TED. Ted owned his 39 from day one and works in a boatyard. Ted is currently off the coast of Italy racing in the Swan Rolex regatta. They are currently 5th with one race to go. Ted does not like to post on these forums but I can get you in touch with him if you need him. I’ll give you a good overview of the boat and since it will be helpful to other potential 39 owners, I will also include things that you obviously already know. The boat was designed by Jeanneau who I believe made the molds. I believe O’day was responsible for the layup, all rigging, hardware and interior. I am not aware of any major structural issues with the 39 or the younger sister the 40. However, one must be careful purchasing a 40 as the hull had balsa core even under the waterline. Most 40’s have had wet core removed or have considerable delamination under the waterline. The 39’s were solid composite layup thus no delamination. The 40’s might be considered better liveaboards since they have a large stateroom under the cockpit while the 39’s have two cabins on each side of the engine with very tight double births. 39’s are great family boats or offshore racers since they have 3 private cabins with tight double berths plus the converted settee. My wife (5’4”) and I (5’10”) fit well into the forward v-berth of the 39 and enjoy being away from the engine and get the nice breeze coming in the forward hatch at anchor. If I recall, I believe your boat might have had the aft bulkheads removed from the starboard side. (please correct me if I’m wrong) many 39’s have an extremely small but functional head with folding sink and shower in that area plus several doors to partition off the head from the aft cabin and the main cabin forward. A large number of 39’s were sold into the charter industry. They were fitted with up to 7 doors to allow privacy for large groups using either head when the adjacent cabin was occupied. It’s very common to have owners remove some of these doors as they can be a bit much. I believe this was the case with your boat. Please see Panta Rhei’s website for the typical layout http://panta-rhei.weebly.com/the-boat.html The original engine is a Universal Atomic Diesel (actually a Kubota tractor engine modified for marine use) I have not seen one of these rebuilt or replaced. They seem to be a VERY reliable engine. The hurth transmission does not last as long. I replaced mine over a weekend. rebuilt units are $1800. The rig is Isomat and all components can be purchased for an arm and a leg from Rig rite. You should have: An O’day Yacht owners manual Universal atomic diesel operation and maintenance manual (model 5444) Universal atomic diesel parts manual for model 5444 The owner’s manual is very complete and has all the specifications for both the standing and running rigging called out to the inch. It also has instructions for tuning the mast which needs a slight bend aft. I recommend purchasing any new sails from St Michaels Sails 605 South Talbot St St Michaels, MD 21663 - View Map Phone: (410) 745-3311 This is where Ted buy’s his sails so they know the boat and Ted wins races!! Performance: Most owners agree that the 39 needs winds at 12 knts to really get going and few can catch her. My boat with St. Michaels sails points very high. (remember I have a shoal draft keel.) A large asymmetrical sail is needed for light winds. The engine moves her a cruising speed 6 knts at 1800 rpm in flat seas you can push it to 7 but I never do. Modifications to make her a blue water sailor: Bulkheads need to be through bolted in place of screws. Double the size of the cockpit drains (install a second set) Install a 12 inch high curb in front of the dodger to stop green water breaking over the bow to smash the dodger. These modifications are not needed for a typical coastal cruiser. (IMO)  

Panta rei, Thanks for the info. Do you have a resource for the manuals? I haven't gone through all the paper work yet but if any is missing I'd like to know where to replace it from. This boat does still have both aft cabins. If the two designs I'm aware of ( 2 heads or 1 with a larger navigation station) this boat is the single head model. So I'm not sure if it did have a bulkhead on the starboard side originally. But you are correct there is not one there now. It seems like the double head model also had the double stainless sink in the galley. But those were both upgrade option if I'm not mistaking. I'm actually very excited you commented on this thread. I have read a lot if what you have written on here and it has been very helpful. I see a lot of owners on here but they appear not to be recently active. Your boat sounds wonderful and I will be going to the places you recommended. Thank you very much  

First off , my apologies to all for the typo's exchanging ' with R's in my earlier post. I was traveling so I wrote it in Word and pasted it. The folks on this forum can give you a hand with owners manuals and such. You will find many common items and construction methods with the 27' models and larger. I am aware that there are not a lot of 39/40 owners on this forum. I often write knowing that I am just making a record for future owners searching the thread. There is also a lot of commonsense reading these posts. It's nice to kick ideas around with these guys. Double sinks came standard on the 39. The single basin sink was installed by a previous owner. Not a bad improvement as there is very little (no) counter space. I'm thinking I should have done the same when I replaced the counter.  

falkntrader39

Gents, Glad to see the 39 crowd growing. Mine is coming along. The galley is all torn apart, new plywood going in where the original rotted away. We are thinking of doing away with the seat in the nav station and adding more storage. I agree, these are a great value in the used sailboat arena. Is motoring really only 6 kts? I was hoping for 7.  

Started my sailing carreer in mid 90s on literally two of the last O'days 39 made. Sailing club owner bought 2 unfinished boats from the factory in Fall River in late 80s at a bankruptcy auction. Well built and very rugged. Too bad they went under in the Bush recession of late 80s. Found out later that they were basically Jeanneau design with Cal rigging and some such. Best of 3 worlds so to speak. The ones I sailed had some issues with the engines as they were Westerbekes with all attending consequences. If I'd scored one to own I'd definitely replace the engine with a Yanmar and that would pretty much be it.  

falkntrader39 said: Gents, Glad to see the 39 crowd growing. Mine is coming along. The galley is all torn apart, new plywood going in where the original rotted away. We are thinking of doing away with the seat in the nav station and adding more storage. I agree, these are a great value in the used sailboat arena. Is motoring really only 6 kts? I was hoping for 7. Click to expand

I researched boats for about a year before we bought our O'Day. I think they are way undervalued and not very well know since not to many were actually produced. From what I can gather (from just research) without actual sailing experience, it is a very capable offshore worthy boat. Sail area, displacment and lenght are well balanced to hadle it. The standing riggin and chain plates are a very strong combination as long as they are serviced properly. The only thing I would change about the boat would be a skeg hung rudder for added security. Under deisel power my boat responds very similiar to Panta Rei's description. everything sounds and feels better around 1800 to 2000 RPM's and 6 kts is where she likes to be. I am very impressed or lucky maybe but she was very easy to sail and keeping her around 8 knts over ground was actually very easy. We were tacking in about 15 knt wind. We will be headed back to San Diego this weekend and the next to do some more work. This weekend is a full scrub down and taking the headsail in for some work. The following weekend will be another experimental sailing trip back out into the pacific. We are going to look for a place to drop anchor and spend the night on the hook if we can find a place. But that all depends on how well I actually do getting out of the bay this time. I am hoping last time wasn't just beginners luck. Thanks everyone for keeping this thread moving! P.S. I am an underground miner, my typing skills are far below average so typo's and misspelling shall run rampant within! just FYI Thanks again,  

JAyers, take a short cruise up to Catalina Island, drop a hook and enjoy. Should be about a day from SD?  

If I plotted out correctly it is about 22hrs sailing. Couple good tacks should do it. Sounds easy but very intimidating. Thanks for the suggestion  

Kings Gambit

JAyers said: We will be headed back to San Diego this weekend and the next to do some more work. This weekend is a full scrub down and taking the headsail in for some work. The following weekend will be another experimental sailing trip back out into the pacific. We are going to look for a place to drop anchor and spend the night on the hook if we can find a place. But that all depends on how well I actually do getting out of the bay this time. I am hoping last time wasn't just beginners luck. Click to expand

Attachments

Kings Gambit , Thanks for the info. We are going to try to make that anchorage in Mission Bay this coming weekend. Sounds like a great trip for us as we start to get comfortable with longer trips. We want to head to Catilina as jibes138 suggested as well. I think a couple round trips to Mission Bay and we will be ready for Catilina. Thank you both so much for the help!  

Mission Bay? How did it go?  

Kings Gambit, The wind was not I. Our favor this trip. Very light breeze most of the day. We spent several hours beating into the wind just trying to get out of San Diego bay. We are going to try again on our next trip out to San Diego. We barely made it to the kelp beds you mentioned by 4pm. Most people we sass motored out and sailed just outside the bay. Still had a lot of fun and learned the importance of using a preventer on our way back in!  

be careful gybing. a guy pulled in my marina with an IP38 with the boom snapped in half. he gybed coming in beaufort inlet and the boom broke in half. you always want to take in the mainsheet as you come through the eye of the wind then let it out on the other side.  

Jibes, We were on a broad reach coming back In with no headsail. A big offshore racing boat went by about 60 and the wake tossed us to port. The boom came over about half way from starboard and luckily went back to starboard smoothly. I ran up front and put the preventer in for the remainder of the trip down wind. Sorry for the typo's in the previous post. In using my phone to answer and am even more prone to failure in spelling than on my laptop.  

Hey everybody! I know this is an old post but was apprehensive about starting a whole new one with the information that's already on here. So here goes. We've been sailing a lot since we bought Southern Cross in August and getting a pretty good grasp of the situation. Reason for this post is to let any O'day 39 owners or anyone else for that matter that we have started documenting all of it on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/8eZLWLy2X_I This is a link to the first of a series of videos as we do a refit and upgrade items to prepare to throw off the lines. I do check into the forum often to see what's happening but what I noticed is very little visual information outside of the forums for O'day 39 sailboats and thought it might be nice to offer up some video footage where if you have questions you can also ask us through youtube. So if you're interested check us out and subscribe. We don't know it all but we have learned a lot and Panta Rei has helped us get in contact with a former employee of O'day that was involved with the build of our boat which we absolutely needed in order to get "coastwise" documentation on our boat. We now have all the paperwork to accomplish it now but it is a pain if you don't have the certificate of U.S. Build Evidence. Anyhow hope this leads people to more info on the O'day 39 Thanks and have a great day! And thanks again Panta Rei for all the help!!  

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O'day 39

The o'day 39 is a 38.58ft masthead sloop designed by phillipe briand and built in fiberglass by o'day corp. between 1982 and 1985., 120 units have been built..

The O'day 39 is a moderate weight sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a good water supply range.

O'day 39 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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“Rocket” O’Day 39 (3 cabin)

“Rocket” – O’Day (3 cabin)

Extra Day 

Very accommodating for large groups with a layout boasting 3 private double staterooms, two long settees in the main salon plus two pilot berths (small berths good for kids) above the settees in the main salon. Classic interior with plenty of teak and many hatches and portlights and good headroom create a more open and airy feel. The galley has ample storage with a refrigerator and a large seperate icebox, a double stainless sink and a propane stove with oven. A full head with shower is located forward with split access from either the forward cabin or the main salon. The aft head is located in the starboard stateroom.

Rocket is a boat that is designed to sail well. Her 6’4″ keel will point higher than most any newer shoal draft designs. Long cockpit seats allow plenty of space when underway or for sleeping under the stars. A two-blade prop reduces drag and a high aspect rudder makes her handle well in all conditions. Most lines are led aft for easy sail handling, wide weather decks are great for moving about when underway and her well designed anchor locker is always appreciated.

SPECS & LAYOUT

Specifications.

Year, Make & Model

1983 O’Day 39

Documentation

38’7″

12’8″

6’4″

Displacement

19,000 lbs.

44hp Universal Diesel

Max Cruising Speed

Fuel Capacity

Fuel Consumption

1gallon/hour at cruising RPM

Full Batten with Lazy Jacks

Foresail Reefing

Roller Furling

ELECTRONICS

Speed and Depth – yes

Wind Speed / Direction – yes

GPS Chart plotter – yes

Autopilot – yes

Radar – no

Bow thruster – no

TV – no

DVD – no

CD – yes

MP3 / IPod Auxiliary Jack – yes

Satellite Radio – no

Satellite Weather – no

Inverter – no

Maximum Sleeping Capacity – 8

Converting Salon Table – no

Long single settees each side

Bedding & Linens – Optional

Air Conditioner / Heater

Dockside heat. No air.

GALLEY & HEAD

12 volt Fridge or Icebox

Fridge and separate icebox

Stove Fuel – LPG

Oven – yes

Microwave – no

Heads / Showers –  2 heads, 1 shower

Heads – manual pump

WASTE HOLDING

Holding Tank Capacity

22 gallons each

FRESHWATER SYSTEM

Fresh Water Capacity – 100 gallons

Number of Freshwater Tanks – 2

DECK & GEAR

Windlass – yes

Bimini – yes

Dodger – yes

Dinghy – Optional, no charge

SPECIAL FEATURES

Galley has double sink plus (2) 12 volt fridges. Full head with shower forward has split doors for private access from fwd stateroom. Second head is in starboard aft cabin and is covered by fold down settee when not in use. Sleeps 8 in (3) double staterooms plus (2) long settees in main salon. (2) additional pilot berths are above salon settees but are suited for kids or stowing gear.

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Calling O'Day 39/40 Owners

• Add to quote

You might look at iheartodays.com, or try the post at Jeanneau-owners.com That model is IIRC a Jeanneau Sun Fizz, but built on the east coast by O'day to that design, but O'days specs, when O'day, Jeanneau, Ranger, Cal among others were all owned by Bangor Punta. Here is a link to an O'day brochure off the jeanneau site O'Day 39 Marty  

Thank you for the info. The O'day site is helpful, and I never new about the Jeanneau!  

Here is a link to the forum part of the Jeanneau site jeanneau owners network - Home There are a few folks on there with the SO36.2 that you asked about in another thread too. Marty  

Have you found an O'Day 39 (AKA Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40)?  

O'Day 39 Yes i think i have found the one i want to purchase. I will be making an offer in the next few weeks. Although the boat needs some TLC it has a lot of equipment and seems sound. I see that you own one in the northwest. How has it been? Whats the maintenance like? and how does it sail?  

This would be the site for the O39? I Heart O'Days - Model Information - O'Day 39 Mid 80s Odays are pretty solid boats! I've 1982 O30  

O'Day 39 What year is the one you are looking at? Mine is a 1982. She has a solid fiberglass hull which was one of the selling points for me. I am wary of cored hulls although they seem to be doing well over the years. She is a very nice sailing boat. Heavy enough to not be slowed much by chop and waves. In force 4,5 and 6 winds easily makes 7+ knots to windward with the right sails. My Son, who races a lot, is able to get her to go faster than I. The only maintainence issue is the iron keel. Every couple of years rust spots need to ground down to bare metal epoxied, faired and re-painted. I think you've made a good choice. LHO  

O-39 The link that deniseO30 sent has pictures of my O-39. They are all my boat, interior and exterior, except for the one under sail. Denise: I was born and raised in PA, and went to college in Philly. LHO  

Well you learn something new everyday. I had no idea that the Oday 39 was a Jeanneau design. Some friends at our marina have an Oday 40 which I did know was a O39 with a redesigned interior and "sugar scoop" swim platform. So I guess the hull is still the original Jeanneau design. I also have seen an Oday that I think would be a 422, in the series with the 302 and 322. There is a picture of one on the I love Oday site. The boat I'm talking about differs from the O40 in that like the other boats in the X22 series it has a grey hull and the black plexi cabin portlights. I think they went under before building many of the 422's. Our first boat was an Oday 322, which we really enjoyed but we wanted a bit more room and some bells and whistles that our Oday didn't have.  

O-39 I am 99.9% sure that O'Day never built anything larger than the O'Day 40. I've never seen or heard of an O'Day 422. The 40 was redesigned by Hunt and Associates, and it had a cored hull, redesigned interior, "sugar scoop" transom and a lead keel. According to "Practical Sailor" designer Hunt sailed a 40 called "Whale and The Bird". lho  

The "422" he is describing is not a 422, but a 40 mkII. The only difference from the standard 40 that I know of is the grey gel coat and the long lexan windows aka 322 style.  

Sorry, I was thinking about my old boat. If the naming convention had been consistent the boat would have been a 402, not 422.  

Thanks for the info. The boat I will be purchasing is a '84 39 which still has the solid glass hull , but a lead rather than iron keel. It also has three staterooms which we were looking for, the 86'+ -40 does not. I really like the layout and the deck space. The 150% jib might be a bit of a handfull around here, but there is also a 110" in the package. I can't wait to sail her!!  

Wow "Morpheus" is a lovely boat! You have kept her in great shape. I'll have to keep an eye out for her next season in the San Juans!  

Dan, Around here the 155 is nice when the winds are less than 15-20, especially the calm summer days with winds if your lucky in the 5-7 knot range! I have a 1oz nylon drifter for those days. Otherwise, yes a 110 is also nice around here too. ie here being puget sound. marty  

I think they chose calling the 40 that because it really was not a new design. The only change was the color of the gel coat and the shape of the outer lexan windows. The 302 and 322 were complete new designs with no relation to the ealier models, but the 40 mkII was a redesign of the O'day 40 hence the mkII rather than give it a new name.  

I was reading the 40 brochure and it says balso cored hull with solid fiberglass at the thru hull fittings. I was told in the past that the 39s were cored. the O'day 40 hull and deck are the jeaunnaeu design minus the swim platform. Hunt only redesigned the interior as is stated in the brochure. The more I have been reading up on this boat, the 39 & 40, the more I like it. It appears to be a very well built boat and strong. This probably has alot to do with the early Jeaunneau pedigre. I heard the earlier jeanneaus were tough boats.  

And I think the 40 rates about 114 making it a pretty quick boat.  

Hillster, Here is an online review of my 85 30' Jeanneau Arcadia. There are a few incorrect items in the review, like how many were actually built, 300 vs over 600, altho if you include two other named versions with different deck and sail plans after, then it would be 701 "hulls" built. I am sure the "build" scantlings etc part is probably the same or very similar. As far as a 114 rating. for a 40'r, that is probably on the slower side, even back then some were approaching 80. BUT, there are some 40'rs with ratings in he 160 range, ie full bore cruisers. My boat when comparing fin keel boats in the race/cruise to fast cruiser range, A j-30 139 on one end, a Hunter or Catilina - 210 on the other, is 188 local, ave 165 thru out the US for a rating. about the middle of the pack. Nice boat, well designed etc. Marty  

For comparison, I am attaching a brochure for the Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40 - the twin of the O'Day 39. More to follow. lho  

Attachments

More  

Thanks Iho. Awesome boat. Ill save this brochure for future.  

Hi all, Just bought my 1983 O Day 39. Needs some love but overall in good condition. Its the shoal draft version. Which, for my location on the Gulf Coast is a good thing. Has anyone repaired a rudder? I have water intrusion on the port side of the rudder from bottom to half way up the rudder. Not sure if its expanding foam core or some other stuff. I've seen on some boats the core was almost like concrete and impossible to get out. Anyone with experience on the ODay rudders?  

Foss Foam - also in Florida - can make you a new one.  

I can not speak about the rudder construction, but I have replaced a rudder on an O-30 I owned in 1986. THE STORY: While leaving a slip at Angel Island in San Francisco, CA, I was caught by the swirling current there. Going in reverse, the current forced me onto the beach and the force bent my spade rudder. I removed the rudder and took it home. I never knew that they floated and were filled with foam. My plan was to straighten the bend, but I also found out it was full of water as well. The leading and aft edges were split and would also require repair, but I would need to dry it out first. Opening it, I found the foam, water, and the bent, rusted frame. As noted on a recent post, I ordered a new rudder from Foss. Because the new one was dry, it was a bear to reinstall with the boat afloat. I sealed the opening at the top of the rudder stock with silicone rubber and foam so it wouldn't fill with water. It was impossible for me to submerge the rudder far enough to slide it under and into the rudder tube. I hired a couple divers who weighted it so it would sink and they got it in place. That's my story and Foss Foam is the place I used for the new rudder I was told that they built and supplied all of O'Day's rudders and still have the molds. I just ordered on for the "O'Day 30". Remember this happened in 1986. LHO  

Iho, Thanks for the info. I've already talked to Al at Foss. Great guy. Told me is I send my old rudder it would save me $1k. Said the tangs were probably rusted and would have to be replaced. But the shaft should be good. If they could reuse it, it would save me money. They are a lot cheaper in the long run than using a boat yard to rebuild it. He made me a good deal. Will be shipping the rudder off to them soon. I've really gotten some great advice and help since joining the sailnet community. Thanks to everyone.  

I hope you enjoy your 39 as much as I did mine. I sold it to man and his family that I met on this very thread. If you go back to the beginning our correspondence is still there. Most of the photos of O-39s on here are of my 39; now Dan's. LHO  

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• Sailboat Guide

Cal 39 (Hunt/O'Day)

Cal 39 (Hunt/O'Day) is a 39 ′ 0 ″ / 11.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Raymond Hunt (C.R. Hunt & Assoc.) and built by Bangor Punta Corp., O'Day Corp., and Jensen Marine/Cal Boats between 1988 and 1997.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

This later Hunt designed CAL 39 is completely different from earlier Lapworth designed 39’s. In 2001, George Crowell of Little Compton, Rhode Island, purchased the molds and continued building new boats on a limited basis. Shallow draft/wing keel: 5.33’.

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