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Ss 39
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Various  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Ss 39

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens firm during their golden era, this 39-footer represents classic American yacht design from the 1970s. Built by various manufacturers between 1971 and 1980, the SS 39 embodies the transitional period when sailboat design was evolving from heavy displacement cruisers toward more modern fin keel configurations. The boat's substantial 18,805-pound displacement and moderate comfort ratio of 33.8 suggest excellent seaworthiness for coastal and offshore passages, while the fin keel with rudder on skeg arrangement provides good directional stability and reasonable performance. Her masthead sloop rig carries 657 square feet of sail area, delivering a sail area to displacement ratio that balances cruising comfort with respectable sailing ability. With a theoretical hull speed of 7.29 knots and a reassuring capsize screening value of 1.77, this design prioritizes safety and steady progress over pure speed. The generous beam of 11.75 feet creates spacious accommodations below while contributing to initial stability. Sparkman & Stephens' reputation for creating well-balanced, seaworthy designs shines through in this model, making it an attractive option for serious cruising sailors seeking a proven offshore platform with classic lines and dependable performance characteristics.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.60 ft / 11.77 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.61 ft / 9.03 m
Beam 11.75 ft / 3.58 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 18,805.00 lb / 8,530 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 657.00 ft² / 61.04 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Various
First Built 1971
Last Built 1980
Related Sailboats Cal 39 · Columbia 39 · Corbin 39 Cc · Baltic 39 · Frers 39
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 14.92
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 323.38
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
 33.8
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
 1.77
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. 7.29 kn
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
 1.43
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. 1,243.15 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.91
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.50 ft / 14.78 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.30 ft / 4.97 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.50 ft / 12.95 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.30 ft / 3.75 m
SA Fore 395.28 ft² / 36.72 m²
SA Main 261.38 ft² / 24.28 m²
SA Total (100%) 656.66 ft² / 61.01 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.17 ft / 15.60 m
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 39, Cal 39, Columbia 39, Corbin 39 Cc, Frers 39

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ss 39 ★
38.6 ft
Baltic 39
38.8 ft
Cal 39
38.7 ft
Columbia 39
38.6 ft
Corbin 39 Cc
38.8 ft
Frers 39
38.8 ft
LWL
Ss 39 ★
29.6 ft
Baltic 39
32.7 ft
Cal 39
31.3 ft
Columbia 39
31.5 ft
Corbin 39 Cc
31.9 ft
Frers 39
31.5 ft
Beam
Ss 39 ★
11.8 ft
Baltic 39
12.6 ft
Cal 39
11.7 ft
Columbia 39
11.3 ft
Corbin 39 Cc
12.0 ft
Frers 39
12.5 ft
Displacement
Ss 39 ★
18 lbs
Baltic 39
18 lbs
Cal 39
14 lbs
Columbia 39
18 lbs
Corbin 39 Cc
22 lbs
Frers 39
17 lbs
Ballast
Ss 39 ★
—
Baltic 39
7 lbs
Cal 39
6 lbs
Columbia 39
9 lbs
Corbin 39 Cc
9 lbs
Frers 39
8 lbs
Sail Area
Ss 39 ★
657 sq ft
Baltic 39
732 sq ft
Cal 39
738 sq ft
Columbia 39
—
Corbin 39 Cc
—
Frers 39
638 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Ss 39 ★
—
Baltic 39
102 s/nm
Cal 39
114 s/nm
Columbia 39
129 s/nm
Corbin 39 Cc
150 s/nm
Frers 39
78 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ss 39 ★
14.9
Baltic 39
17.1
Cal 39
19.8
Columbia 39
—
Corbin 39 Cc
—
Frers 39
15.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Ss 39 ★
—
Baltic 39
43.3 %
Cal 39
45.2 %
Columbia 39
49.7 %
Corbin 39 Cc
40.4 %
Frers 39
49.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ss 39 ★
33.8
Baltic 39
27.7
Cal 39
25.6
Columbia 39
—
Corbin 39 Cc
—
Frers 39
27.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ss 39 ★
1.77
Baltic 39
1.92
Cal 39
1.91
Columbia 39
—
Corbin 39 Cc
—
Frers 39
1.94
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Ss 39 ★
323
Baltic 39
229
Cal 39
213
Columbia 39
264
Corbin 39 Cc
312
Frers 39
247
Hull Speed
Ss 39 ★
7.3 kts
Baltic 39
7.7 kts
Cal 39
7.5 kts
Columbia 39
—
Corbin 39 Cc
—
Frers 39
7.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Ss 39 ★
1.4
Baltic 39
2.4
Cal 39
2.9
Columbia 39
—
Corbin 39 Cc
—
Frers 39
2.0
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