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Contessa 39
Designer: Doug Peterson  ·  Builder: Jeremy Rogers (Uk)  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Contessa 39

Designed as a larger sibling to the legendary Contessa 32, this 39-foot sailboat emerged from the drawing board of David Sadler in the 1980s, carrying forward the proven seaworthy characteristics that made the Contessa name synonymous with offshore capability. Built by Jeremy Rogers in the UK, the Contessa 39 represents a thoughtful evolution of the design philosophy that created one of sailing's most respected blue-water cruisers. While maintaining the robust construction and conservative design principles of her smaller sister, the 39 offers significantly more interior volume and comfort without sacrificing the seakindly motion that defines the Contessa lineage. Her moderate displacement hull and well-balanced sail plan make her equally suited for serious offshore passage-making and extended coastal cruising. The cockpit layout emphasizes safety and functionality, with high coamings and thoughtfully positioned winches. Below, the accommodation strikes a practical balance between comfort and seaworthiness, with sturdy joinery and sensible storage solutions throughout. Though fewer examples were built compared to the famous Contessa 32, those who sail the 39 consistently praise her solid feel, predictable handling, and confidence-inspiring behavior in challenging conditions, making her a worthy choice for serious cruising sailors.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.67 ft / 11.79 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.16 ft / 10.11 m
Beam 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
Max Draft 7.25 ft / 2.21 m
Displacement 14,250.00 lb / 6,464 kg
Ballast 6,975.00 lb / 3,164 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Doug Peterson
Builder Jeremy Rogers (UK)
First Built 1979
Number Built 12
Related Sailboats X 382 · Sabre 38 Mkii · Dehler 38 · Sweden Yachts 38 · Baltic 39
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
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
48.95
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
174.47
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. 8.7 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 19.37
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.10 ft / 4.91 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 709.00 ft² / 65.87 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Seapanther
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 39, Dehler 38, Sabre 38 Mkii, Sweden Yachts 38, X 382

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Contessa 39 ★
38.7 ft
Baltic 39
38.8 ft
Dehler 38
38.7 ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
38.7 ft
Sweden Yachts 38
38.7 ft
X 382
38.5 ft
LWL
Contessa 39 ★
33.2 ft
Baltic 39
32.7 ft
Dehler 38
31.5 ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
31.4 ft
Sweden Yachts 38
31.2 ft
X 382
31.8 ft
Beam
Contessa 39 ★
12.3 ft
Baltic 39
12.6 ft
Dehler 38
12.5 ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
12.3 ft
Sweden Yachts 38
12.7 ft
X 382
12.3 ft
Displacement
Contessa 39 ★
14 lbs
Baltic 39
18 lbs
Dehler 38
12 lbs
Sabre 38 Mkii
16 lbs
Sweden Yachts 38
16 lbs
X 382
14 lbs
Ballast
Contessa 39 ★
6 lbs
Baltic 39
7 lbs
Dehler 38
2 lbs
Sabre 38 Mkii
6 lbs
Sweden Yachts 38
X 382
6 lbs
Sail Area
Contessa 39 ★
Baltic 39
732 sq ft
Dehler 38
627 sq ft
Sabre 38 Mkii
691 sq ft
Sweden Yachts 38
741 sq ft
X 382
702 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Contessa 39 ★
84 s/nm
Baltic 39
102 s/nm
Dehler 38
93 s/nm
Sabre 38 Mkii
Sweden Yachts 38
X 382
78 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Contessa 39 ★
Baltic 39
17.1
Dehler 38
19.1
Sabre 38 Mkii
16.9
Sweden Yachts 38
18.5
X 382
19.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Contessa 39 ★
49.0 %
Baltic 39
43.3 %
Dehler 38
23.1 %
Sabre 38 Mkii
39.1 %
Sweden Yachts 38
X 382
43.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Contessa 39 ★
Baltic 39
27.7
Dehler 38
19.4
Sabre 38 Mkii
27.4
Sweden Yachts 38
25.7
X 382
23.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Contessa 39 ★
Baltic 39
1.92
Dehler 38
2.17
Sabre 38 Mkii
1.93
Sweden Yachts 38
2.00
X 382
2.02
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Contessa 39 ★
174
Baltic 39
229
Dehler 38
173
Sabre 38 Mkii
243
Sweden Yachts 38
240
X 382
198
Hull Speed
Contessa 39 ★
Baltic 39
7.7 kts
Dehler 38
7.5 kts
Sabre 38 Mkii
7.5 kts
Sweden Yachts 38
7.5 kts
X 382
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Contessa 39 ★
Baltic 39
2.4
Dehler 38
3.3
Sabre 38 Mkii
2.2
Sweden Yachts 38
2.4
X 382
3.0
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