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Cavalier 39
Designer: Bob Salthouse  ·  Builder: Export Yachts New Zealand Ltd.  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Cavalier 39

Designed by renowned New Zealand naval architect Bob Salthouse and built by Export Yachts New Zealand Ltd., this substantial cruising sailboat represents classic 1970s offshore design philosophy. With only 35 hulls constructed between 1973 and 1979, the Cavalier 39 remains a relatively rare find in today's market. The boat's impressive displacement of 18,700 pounds and generous ballast ratio create exceptional stability and seaworthiness for extended coastal and offshore passages. Her fin keel with rudder mounted on a protective skeg offers good performance while providing crucial rudder protection in challenging conditions. The masthead sloop rig delivers versatile sailing characteristics suitable for both spirited coastal sailing and comfortable long-distance cruising. Salthouse's design emphasizes seaworthiness over speed, evident in the boat's moderate sail area to displacement ratio and robust construction. The fiberglass hull demonstrates the solid build quality Export Yachts was known for during this era. With a comfortable motion at sea and predictable handling characteristics, this design appeals to sailors seeking a dependable platform for serious cruising adventures. The Cavalier 39's combination of New Zealand craftsmanship and proven design makes it an attractive option for sailors planning extended voyages or those who simply appreciate traditional offshore sailing qualities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.00 ft / 11.89 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.50 ft / 8.99 m
Beam 11.33 ft / 3.45 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 18,700.00 lb / 8,482 kg
Ballast 7,500.00 lb / 3,402 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 813.00 ft² / 75.53 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bob Salthouse
Builder Export Yachts New Zealand Ltd.
First Built 1973
Last Built 1979
Number Built 35
Related Sailboats ["Ericson 39" · "Santana 39" · "Carter 39" · "Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147" · "Pearson 390"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 126
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
 18.53
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
 40.11
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
 325.18
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
 35.23
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
 1.71
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. 7.28 kn
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. 1,194.26 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 51
Fuel Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
Water Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
How It Compares

vs. Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147, Carter 39, Santana 39

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cavalier 39 ★
39.0 ft
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
39.0 ft
Carter 39
39.0 ft
Santana 39
39.0 ft
LWL
Cavalier 39 ★
29.5 ft
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
32.1 ft
Carter 39
30.0 ft
Santana 39
31.0 ft
Beam
Cavalier 39 ★
11.3 ft
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
12.0 ft
Carter 39
12.8 ft
Santana 39
11.7 ft
Displacement
Cavalier 39 ★
18 lbs
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
17 lbs
Carter 39
18 lbs
Santana 39
18 lbs
Ballast
Cavalier 39 ★
7 lbs
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
7 lbs
Carter 39
7 lbs
Santana 39
6 lbs
Sail Area
Cavalier 39 ★
813 sq ft
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
734 sq ft
Santana 39
686 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cavalier 39 ★
126 s/nm
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
108 s/nm
Santana 39
126 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cavalier 39 ★
18.5
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
16.7
Santana 39
16.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cavalier 39 ★
40.1 %
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
41.2 %
Carter 39
—
Santana 39
36.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cavalier 39 ★
35.2
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
29.9
Santana 39
31.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cavalier 39 ★
1.71
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
1.92
Santana 39
1.78
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cavalier 39 ★
325
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
229
Carter 39
—
Santana 39
269
Hull Speed
Cavalier 39 ★
7.3 kts
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
7.3 kts
Santana 39
7.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cavalier 39 ★
—
Cal 39 Mk Ii 1 147
—
Carter 39
1.7
Santana 39
1.9
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