BoatsCal 39

Cal 39

Masthead Sloop · Fin With Rudder On Skeg · 1970–1971

Introduced just before the IOR rule shift, this masthead sloop features a fin keel and rudder on a skeg

Designed by C. William Lapworth, built by Jensen Marine.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin With Rudder On Skeg

See her sail

The Cal 39, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Pacific Yacht Systems

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 26 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 26
CoastalBluewater

1.91 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.91
LightHeavy

214 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 214
EasygoingPowered-up

19.8 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 19.8
TenderStiff

45% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 45%

Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.

What the fleet has seen

The Cal 39, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Cal 39, designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine from 1970 to 1971, is a masthead sloop with a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. It measures 11.79 meters LOA, 3.56 meters beam, and 1.83 meters draft, displacing 6622 kg. This model was the first of several Cal 39 iterations, introduced just before the IOR rule replaced the CCA rule, which may have affected its early sales. Aboard *Pacific Yacht Systems*, an electrical audit of a 40-year-old Cal 39 revealed critical safety hazards, including an exposed AC panel, incorrect color-coding for AC and DC wiring, and improperly stacked battery terminals.0:09 The audit also noted an unfused windlass circuit and wiring routed against the engine's hot exhaust. *Sailing Solé* observed a Cal 39 at a Long Beach Marina auction that received no bids.15:28

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Cal 39 on video

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
45.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.8
Displacement / length
213.6
Comfort ratio
25.6
Capsize screening
1.91
Hull speed
7.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1303
Hull
Hull type
Fin with rudder on skeg
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1970–1971
Units built
29
Designer
C. William Lapworth
Builder
Jensen Marine, Bangor Punta Corp

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Feeling 3911.70 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Briand-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio built for performance cruising
FULL Sailboat Tour [Can Be Beached, Cross An Ocean, Spacious Liveaboard, BEST Modern Sailboat]38:27from Adventureman Dan
RM Yachts 118011.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed performance cruiser featuring a wide beam, dual rudders, and a powerful cutter rig
Why This "Wooden" Sailboat Is Faster, Warmer, and Stronger - the RM 11800:47from Practical Sailor
O'day 3911.76 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Briand-designed masthead sloop built under license from Jeanneau as the French Sun Fizz
Cheap Sailboat to Live On? 38 Foot Sailboat for $30,000 - Ep 299 - Lady K Sailing3:54from Lady K Sailing
Beneteau Oceanis 39011.68 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Briand-designed masthead sloop featuring a spacious beam and an optional wing keel for shoal draft versatility
Manwë Odyssey EP05 - Kitesurfing in the Grenadinesfrom Manwë Odyssey
Sadler Yachts 3811.79 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Stephen Jones-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance cruising.
Packing for the winter sailfrom SEILmagasinet
Catalina Yachts Morgan 3811.71 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1993-2005 production masthead sloop featuring a deep 1.98-meter draft and a performance-oriented fin keel
Caribbean Sailboat for $80k?! YES! Ep 228 - Lady K Sailing1:37from Lady K Sailing

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Cal 39 MK II (1-147)A Bill Lapworth-designed masthead sloop built for performance, featuring a stiff fin keel and spade rudder configurationCal 39 MK IIIAn evolution of the MK II series, this masthead sloop offers optional tall rig and shoal draft configurationsCal 39 (HUNT/O'DAY)A later Hunt-designed masthead sloop with a 1988-1997 production run that continued in limited batches after 2001Cal Boats 40A legendary offshore racer with 160 built, featuring a light displacement and a high sail-area-to-displacement ratioCal 29A prolific Lapworth design with over 1000 hulls produced, balancing a masthead rig with a nimble fin keel and spade rudderCal 35 (1979)A 1979 masthead sloop featuring a deep 1.83m draft and a revised interior layout introduced in the 1981 MKII update

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