Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.5′, the Westsail 39 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.5′ LWL = 7.6 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
43.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
250
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Westsail 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Contessa 39
Baltic 39
Corbin 39 Cc
Island Packet 37
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Westsail 39.
| Westsail 39 | Baltic 39 | Contessa 39 | Corbin 39 Cc | Island Packet 37 | Mariner 39 Perry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 38.7 | 38.8 | 38.7 | 38.8 | 38.6 | 38.8 |
| LWL | 32.5 | 32.7 | 33.2 | 31.9 | 31.0 | 34.3 |
| Beam | 11.8 | 12.6 | 12.3 | 12.0 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Displacement | 19 | 18 | 14 | 22 | 18 | 19 |
| Ballast | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Sail Area | — | 732 | 709 | 811 | 800 | 745 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 102 | 84 | 150 | 168 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.1 | 19.4 | 16.2 | 18.4 | 16.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 43.8 | 43.3 | 49.0 | 40.4 | 44.3 | — |
| Comfort | — | 27.7 | 22.5 | 37.9 | 30.9 | 31.0 |
| Capsize | — | 1.92 | 2.02 | 1.70 | 1.84 | 1.77 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 7.5 | 7.9 |