The Pearson 39 is and respectable in club racing.
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 Pearson 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.
PHRF Rating
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
42.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
281
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
7.3kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cal 40
Swan 40 Ss
Pearson 39
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 39.
| Pearson 39 | Cal 40 | Cc 39 | Landfall 39 Amy | Swan 40 Ss | Valiant 39 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.3 | 39.3 | 39.3 | 39.2 | 39.3 | 39.3 |
| LWL | 30.0 | 30.3 | 31.7 | 30.6 | 28.5 | 32.0 |
| Beam | 11.7 | 11.0 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 10.8 | 11.5 |
| Displacement | 17 | 15 | 17 | 23 | 19 | 18 |
| Ballast | 7 | 6 | — | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | — | 726 | 811 | 709 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 132 | 120 | — | — | 126 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | — | 17.6 | 15.9 | 16.0 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 42.9 | 40.0 | — | — | 41.6 | 37.8 |
| Comfort | — | — | 30.1 | 42.4 | 38.7 | — |
| Capsize | — | — | 1.79 | 1.61 | 1.63 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | — | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.2 | — |