The Frers 39 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 31.5′, the Frers 39 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.5′ LWL = 7.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
78s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
15.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
49.1%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
247
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
27.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.94
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
27.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.94
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Frers 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Frers 39
78s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Baltic 39
102s/nm
Cal 39
114s/nm
Corbin 39 Cc
150s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (15.3), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Frers 39 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Frers 39.
|
Frers 39 |
Baltic 39 |
Cal 39 |
Corbin 39 Cc |
Sabre 38 Mkii |
Sweden Yachts 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.8 |
38.8 |
38.7 |
38.8 |
38.7 |
38.7 |
| LWL |
31.5 |
32.7 |
31.3 |
31.9 |
31.4 |
31.2 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
12.6 |
11.7 |
12.0 |
12.3 |
12.7 |
| Displacement |
17 |
18 |
14 |
22 |
16 |
16 |
| Ballast |
8 |
7 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
— |
| Sail Area |
638 |
732 |
738 |
— |
691 |
741 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
78 |
102 |
114 |
150 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.3 |
17.1 |
19.8 |
— |
16.9 |
18.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.1 |
43.3 |
45.2 |
40.4 |
39.1 |
— |
| Comfort |
27.5 |
27.7 |
25.6 |
— |
27.4 |
25.7 |
| Capsize |
1.94 |
1.92 |
1.91 |
— |
1.93 |
2.00 |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.7 |
7.5 |
— |
7.5 |
7.5 |