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Lapworth 39
Designer: C. William Lapworth  ·  First built: 1959
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About the Lapworth 39

Designed by naval architect Bill Lapworth in the 1970s, this 39-foot sailboat represents solid West Coast craftsmanship from an era when performance cruisers prioritized seaworthiness and practical sailing characteristics. Lapworth, known for his work on successful ocean racers and cruising designs, brought his expertise in creating boats that could handle diverse sailing conditions with confidence. With limited specifications available, the Lapworth 39 appears suited for serious coastal cruising and potentially offshore passages, reflecting the designer's philosophy of building boats capable of handling challenging conditions. The design likely incorporates Lapworth's signature attention to hull balance and sail handling efficiency, traits that made his designs popular among discerning sailors. These boats typically attract sailors seeking a well-built vessel with traditional sailing qualities rather than the latest amenities or racing-oriented features. The Lapworth 39 represents an era when yacht design emphasized proven seaworthy characteristics over interior volume or extreme performance, making it potentially appealing to sailors who value reliability and solid construction over modern conveniences. Prospective buyers should expect a boat designed for serious sailing rather than casual day sailing or marina living.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.00 ft / 11.89 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.90 ft / 9.42 m
Beam 11.20 ft / 3.41 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 18,000.00 lb / 8,165 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 576.00 ft² / 53.51 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer C. William Lapworth
First Built 1959
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
 150
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
 13.47
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
 33.42
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. 7.45
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
 1.64
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.7
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.7
SA Fore 303.75
SA Main 272.4
Find a Lapworth 39 For Sale
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