Contessa 39 Information, Review, Specs

The Contessa 39 entered production in 1979, emerging from the celebrated Jeremy Rogers Ltd. yard, a builder synonymous with quality British boat manufacturing. During the 1970s, Jeremy Rogers Ltd. experienced significant growth, becoming known for producing innovative and beautifully finished yachts. The company was at the forefront of construction techniques, employing advanced methods such as vacuum bag assisted resin transfer systems for models like the Contessa 39.

The design pedigree of the Contessa 39 traces back to Doug Peterson, a highly influential naval architect whose designs consistently achieved success in racing and were celebrated for their performance. Peterson's philosophy often combined competitive performance with seaworthy characteristics, a blend evident in the Contessa 39. While variations were limited due to the small production run, some Contessa 39s were also known as "Dawn 39" and were a further development of the Contessa 38. These variants offered features such as an aft cabin and were equipped with an encapsulated long fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, enhancing their seaworthiness. Notably, some Dawn 39s were rigged as cutters, complete with staysails and checkstays, and many featured in-mast furling.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Contessa 39 is characterized by its impressive performance ratios, which translate into a rewarding sailing experience. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of 19.37, she possesses ample sail area relative to her weight, suggesting strong performance in lighter air conditions while maintaining power for heavier winds. Her high Ballast to Displacement ratio of 48.95% indicates exceptional stiffness and stability, allowing her to stand up to a significant breeze and offering a comfortable motion in a seaway. Furthermore, a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of 174.47 places her in the lighter, more performance-oriented category for a boat of her size, reinforcing her "good performer" classification.

Anecdotal reports confirm these theoretical strengths, with owners praising her ability to sail "brilliantly upwind" without slamming. The helm is described as "beautifully light," and the boat reportedly slices through chop "like a knife through butter". Her responsiveness in light airs is noted as impressive, and with her substantial lead ballast and hull profile akin to the highly respected Contessa 32, she is expected to maintain composure even when weather conditions deteriorate.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific headroom figures are not consistently available, the interior layout of the Contessa 39 (and its close variant, the Dawn 39) typically reflects a purposeful design for offshore cruising, prioritizing functionality and comfort. Access to the interior is via a companionway often situated over a substantial bridge deck, which helps create valuable headroom in the aft cabin.

Forward, a classic V-berth provides sleeping accommodations, often accompanied by an enclosed head compartment immediately aft and to port. The saloon typically features a C-shaped settee on the port side, wrapping around a dinette table, with a straight settee opposite to starboard. Stowage is generally ample, with lockers above the seating and storage beneath the benches and behind the seat backs. The galley, usually located to port of the companionway, is U-shaped and offers practical space for meal preparation at sea, complete with good locker storage. To starboard, a generously sized navigation station highlights the boat's offshore intentions, providing ample surface area for charts and navigational equipment. Aft, the Contessa 39 offers an aft cabin, a notable feature for a yacht of her era, providing additional privacy and sleeping space, sometimes configured with a double berth and additional single berths in the saloon. Owners have noted the interior as "bright, warm," with "neat joinery," reflecting the builder's reputation for quality finishes. However, the cockpit lacks dedicated lockers, with a lazarette under the aft deck providing some storage for lines and fenders, though with a small access hatch.