Regatta 39 (Jeanneau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The creation of the Regatta 39 in 1982 marked Jeanneau's continued commitment to performance-oriented sailing yachts. Designed by Tony Castro, a naval architect known for his racing designs, the Regatta 39 shares its hull lines with the Sun Shine 36, a notable International Offshore Rule (IOR) One Ton class racer from the same year. This shared lineage underscores its design philosophy: to deliver spirited performance without sacrificing the build quality and liveability expected of a Jeanneau yacht. During this era, Jeanneau, a pioneer in fiberglass boat construction since the late 1950s, focused on combining innovation with a passion for life on the water.

The Regatta 39 was offered with two primary rig configurations: a fractional sloop, as detailed in its specifications, and a masthead sloop, providing options for different sailing preferences and conditions. This flexibility allowed owners to tailor the boat more closely to their intended use, whether for competitive racing or more relaxed cruising.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Jeanneau Regatta 39's design ratios reveal its clear performance aspirations. With a calculated Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 21.59, she is well-powered for her displacement, suggesting excellent performance, particularly in lighter wind conditions. Her Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of roughly 167.8 indicates a relatively light displacement for her length, further reinforcing her design as a nimble and responsive vessel. This combination points to a boat that should accelerate quickly and maintain good speeds upwind.

While specific anecdotal reviews for the Regatta 39 are scarce, the high Ballast to Displacement ratio of 49.06% (for the masthead version) suggests a stiff and stable platform capable of standing up to a considerable amount of wind, allowing sailors to carry sail longer and maintain an upright, comfortable motion even in choppier seas. Combined with a fin keel and spade rudder, features typically found on performance designs, the Regatta 39 was engineered for responsive handling and precise steering, characteristics valued by both racers and discerning cruisers.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior layout and finishes of the Jeanneau Regatta 39 is not widely documented in available public resources. However, drawing from Jeanneau's broader design philosophy during the early 1980s, one can infer that the interior would have prioritized a balance of comfort and practicality for a boat of its size and performance intent. Jeanneau typically aimed for "liveable boats" with clever layouts, even in their performance lines, focusing on quality and comfort for the cruising market.

Given its overall length of nearly 40 feet, the Regatta 39 would likely feature a conventional arrangement for the era, typically including a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees and a dining table, a galley, and a head compartment. Quarter berths or additional cabins aft would also be common configurations to maximize sleeping capacity. While the maximum headroom is not specified in the available data, boats of this size from the 1980s generally offered comfortable standing room in the main cabin areas. The materials would typically consist of a combination of fiberglass liners with wood trim, common for French production boats of the period, offering a durable yet aesthetically pleasing environment.