Gulf 39 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Gulf 39 began production in 1971, marking its debut during the formative years of Capital Yachts Corporation, a California-based builder established by Jon Williams and Bill Smith. While Capital Yachts famously acquired tooling for the Newport Fleet and collaborated with renowned naval architects like Gary Mull and Cuthbertson & Cassian for other models, the Gulf 39 itself is noted as an in-house design by Capital Yachts. The company, active until 1996, focused on manufacturing durable, low-maintenance fiberglass cruisers. The Gulf 39, with its robust fiberglass solid hull and deck, reflects this commitment to practical and seaworthy construction. Although the exact end year of the Gulf 39's production run is not clearly documented, it falls within Capital Yachts' 25-year operational period. The hull features a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, a common and effective configuration for cruising boats of its time.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Gulf 39 boasts specifications that suggest a moderate and stable sailing experience. With a total calculated sail area of 688.75 square feet and a displacement of 17,500 pounds, her Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio calculates to approximately 16.32. This figure indicates a boat that is neither an extreme light-air performer nor overly sluggish, suggesting a balanced approach to cruising, capable of moving comfortably in a range of wind conditions.

Her Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio, at around 207.8, places her on the lighter side of moderate displacement for a vessel of her length. This implies a boat that should offer reasonable performance without being excessively heavy, providing a comfortable motion in a seaway. The design incorporates a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration generally favored for good directional stability and robust rudder protection, contributing to predictable handling characteristics. Information regarding the boat's ballast weight is not readily available in the provided specifications or common databases, precluding a detailed interpretation of its Ballast to Displacement ratio.

Accommodations and Layout

Detailed information regarding the specific interior layout and accommodations of the Capital Yachts Gulf 39 is not widely available through grounded search. While many production boats of this size from the early 1970s typically featured conventional cruising layouts—including a V-berth forward, an enclosed head, a salon with opposing settees (often converting to berths), a galley, and potentially a quarter berth—specific details on the Gulf 39's arrangement, finish quality, use of materials, or unique features are not well-documented.