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Cal 39
Designer: C. William Lapworth  ·  Builder: Jensen Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1970
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About the Cal 39

Designed by the legendary C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine, this rare fin-keeled sloop represents a brief but notable chapter in Cal's storied history. With only 29 hulls produced during its short two-year production run from 1970-1971, the Cal 39 stands as one of the more exclusive entries in the builder's lineup. Lapworth's design philosophy shines through in the boat's balanced proportions and performance-oriented hull form. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides responsive handling while maintaining directional stability, making this boat well-suited for both spirited coastal sailing and longer passages. Her masthead sloop rig delivers respectable sailing performance with manageable sail handling for a crew of two to four. The solid fiberglass construction reflects the robust building standards of the era, contributing to the boat's reputation for durability. With a moderate comfort ratio of 25.56 and capsize screening value of 1.91, the Cal 39 strikes an appealing balance between performance and seaworthiness. These characteristics, combined with Lapworth's proven design expertise, make the Cal 39 an intriguing option for sailors seeking a capable cruiser with sporty handling characteristics and the cachet of limited production numbers.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$35,000 – $89,500
typical asking price
Median $59,750  ·  4 listings used
All listings
$35,000 – $89,500 4
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.67 ft / 11.79 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
Beam 11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 14,600.00 lb / 6,622 kg
Ballast 6,600.00 lb / 2,994 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 738.00 ft² / 68.56 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG (solid laminate)
Designer C. William Lapworth
Builder Jensen Marine (USA)
First Built 1970
Last Built 1971
Number Built 29
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 114
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 19.84
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 45.21
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 213.58
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 25.56
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.91
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.49 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.85
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,303.07 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.84
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 50.00 ft / 15.24 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 41.75 ft / 12.73 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
SA Fore 425.00 ft² / 39.48 m²
SA Main 313.13 ft² / 29.09 m²
SA Total (100%) 738.13 ft² / 68.57 m²
Est. Forestay Length 52.81 ft / 16.10 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4108
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 35 gals / 132 L
Water Capacity 64 gals / 242 L
Find a Cal 39 For Sale
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