The Horizon 39 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.0′, the Horizon 39 tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.0′ LWL = 7.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
35.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
331
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.0
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.65
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
7.3kts
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
38.0
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.65
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 Horizon 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Ericson 39 B
Freedom 39
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Horizon 39.
| Horizon 39 | Cal 39 Mk Iii | Columbia 118 | Ericson 39 B | Freedom 39 | Lancer 39 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.0 |
| LWL | 30.0 | 32.1 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 31.0 | 33.5 |
| Beam | 11.2 | 12.0 | 12.3 | 11.3 | 12.8 | 12.0 |
| Displacement | 20 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
| Ballast | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 719 | 720 | 720 | 818 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 114 | 156 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.2 | 14.1 | 16.2 | 18.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 35.5 | 36.8 | 45.5 | 50.0 | 28.7 | — |
| Comfort | 38.0 | 31.4 | 39.1 | 35.4 | 28.6 | 25.7 |
| Capsize | 1.65 | 1.80 | 1.73 | 1.70 | 1.94 | 1.91 |
| Hull Speed | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.8 |