The Soverel 39 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, 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 34.8′, the Soverel 39 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.8′ LWL = 7.9 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
72s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
23.6
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
55.2%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
125
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
17.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.20
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
23.1
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
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
17.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.20
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Soverel 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Sydney 38
29s/nm
Wylie 38
69s/nm
Soverel 39
72s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Frers 38
75s/nm
X 382
78s/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° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.5 |
7.0 |
7.8 |
8.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.1 |
6.4 |
7.2 |
7.8 |
| Run150–180° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts),
SA/D (23.6), 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 Soverel 39 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Soverel 39.
|
Soverel 39 |
First 38S5 Beneteau |
Frers 38 |
Sydney 38 |
Wylie 38 |
X 382 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.4 |
38.3 |
38.5 |
38.5 |
38.3 |
38.5 |
| LWL |
34.8 |
31.3 |
30.1 |
35.3 |
31.7 |
31.8 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
12.3 |
12.8 |
12.3 |
11.4 |
12.3 |
| Displacement |
11 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
9 |
14 |
| Ballast |
6 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
760 |
670 |
727 |
842 |
667 |
702 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
72 |
— |
75 |
29 |
69 |
78 |
| SA/Disp |
23.6 |
18.1 |
19.6 |
25.4 |
23.9 |
19.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
55.2 |
33.4 |
44.5 |
— |
53.7 |
43.1 |
| Comfort |
17.6 |
23.7 |
23.2 |
18.4 |
17.0 |
23.3 |
| Capsize |
2.20 |
2.03 |
2.10 |
2.14 |
2.16 |
2.02 |
| Hull Speed |
7.9 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
8.0 |
7.5 |
7.6 |