390 (Lanaverre) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Lanaverre 390 emerged during a significant period for its builder, Lanaverre. Established in 1944, the company truly began its innovative trajectory in 1955 when Lucien Lanaverre partnered with Christian Maury, who became the designer of many of their iconic models, including the 390. Lanaverre distinguished itself as a pioneer in Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), or fiberglass, boat construction, moving away from traditional wood. This transition, which facilitated mass production and reduced maintenance, was central to their philosophy of making sailing more widely available. The 390, starting its production run in 1968, benefited from this advanced manufacturing approach, offering a durable and consistent product. While there isn't extensive public information on Maury's specific design philosophy for the 390, his broader work focused on creating performance-oriented dinghies that were accessible and enjoyable, a characteristic evident in the 390's design.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a lightweight centerboard dinghy, the Lanaverre 390 is designed for responsive and agile sailing. With a length overall of 12.8 feet and a displacement of just 176 pounds, it is an exceptionally light vessel, making it easy to launch, retrieve, and handle on and off the water. Its fractional sloop rig provides 91 square feet of sail area, a generous canvas for its size, suggesting lively performance in lighter winds.

The centerboard keel type, combined with a minimum draft of 0.33 feet (which extends to a maximum draft of 1.74 feet when fully deployed), offers flexibility for sailing in shallow waters while providing essential lateral resistance for upwind performance. The 390's relatively wide beam of 5.05 feet contributes to its initial stability, helping it to stand up to gusts. The fractional sloop rigging allows for efficient sail trimming and responsiveness, typical of dinghies designed for both training and spirited day sailing. Given its light weight and design, the Lanaverre 390 is expected to be a nimble boat, quick to accelerate, and engaging to sail, particularly in moderate conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

The Lanaverre 390, being a 12-foot dinghy, does not feature traditional interior accommodations. Instead, its design focuses on a functional and open cockpit layout suitable for day sailing. The maximum headroom is not applicable as it is an open boat. The hull, constructed from solid fiberglass, provides a robust and low-maintenance structure. The deck, also solid fiberglass, offers a secure platform for crew movement. The cockpit typically features bench seating along the sides, providing space for a skipper and possibly one or two crew members. This simple, open arrangement prioritizes ease of movement, self-draining capabilities, and a direct connection to the sailing experience, characteristic of recreational and training dinghies of its era.