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Columbia 39 Constellation
Designer: Charles Morgan  ·  Builder: Columbia Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Columbia 39 Constellation

Designed by Charles Morgan and built by Columbia Yachts for just two years in the mid-1960s, this rare 39-footer represents an intriguing chapter in American sailboat manufacturing. With only seven hulls completed between 1966 and 1967, the Columbia 39 Constellation stands as one of the more exclusive designs from this prolific era of fiberglass boat building. The boat's specifications reveal a thoughtful balance between performance and comfort. Her moderate displacement of 15,000 pounds, combined with substantial ballast of 6,400 pounds, creates a stable platform well-suited for coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages. The fin keel with spade rudder configuration was relatively progressive for its time, offering better maneuverability than the full keels common in the 1960s. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 17.85, the Constellation provides adequate sailing performance without being overly aggressive, making her appealing to cruising sailors who appreciate responsive handling. The comfort ratio of 33.23 suggests she'll provide a reasonably comfortable motion at sea, while the capsize screening value of 1.73 indicates good stability characteristics for extended cruising. Her 6.80-knot hull speed reflects typical performance expectations for a moderate displacement cruiser of this length.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.25 ft / 11.96 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.75 ft / 7.85 m
Beam 10.67 ft / 3.25 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast 6,400.00 lb / 2,903 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 676.00 ft² / 62.80 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Charles Morgan
Builder Columbia Yachts (USA)
First Built 1966
Last Built 1967
Number Built 7
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Performance Ratios
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
 17.85
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
 42.67
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
 392.2
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
 33.23
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
 1.73
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. 6.80 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
 1.21
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. 981.72 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. 17.85
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 46.00 ft / 14.02 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.40 ft / 4.69 m
SA Fore 368.00 ft² / 34.19 m²
SA Main 308.00 ft² / 28.61 m²
SA Total (100%) 676.00 ft² / 62.80 m²
Est. Forestay Length 48.70 ft / 14.84 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
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