Santana 39 Information, Review, Specs

The Santana 39 emerged from W.D. Schock's Newport Beach, California, facility in 1972, with production continuing until 1979. This period reflects W.D. Schock's specialization in fiberglass sailboat manufacturing, a material they adopted from their inception and utilized extensively to become one of the largest builders on the U.S. West Coast. The design itself was a collaborative effort between Gary Mull, a prominent American yacht designer of the latter half of the 20th century, and W. Shad Turner. Mull's design philosophy often focused on creating light displacement boats that were well-built, suggesting an intention for the Santana 39 to be both responsive and durably constructed. The boat features a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder and a masthead sloop rig, a common and effective configuration for performance cruisers of its time. The hull was constructed with balsa coring, and the lead keel was encapsulated, contributing to the boat's solid feel.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Santana 39's design ratios provide insight into her sailing characteristics. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 15.88, she falls into the category of a moderate performance cruiser, indicating she is reasonably capable in light airs without being overly sensitive, and performs well as the wind increases. Her Ballast to Displacement ratio of around 0.366 (or 36.6%) suggests a good degree of stiffness and stability, allowing her to stand up to a breeze without excessive heeling. This ratio indicates a righting moment higher than 38% of similar sailboat designs. The Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 269.74 places the Santana 39 on the heavier side of moderate displacement vessels. This heavier displacement typically translates to a more comfortable motion in a seaway, making her suitable for extended cruising rather than pure racing. Overall, the Santana 39 is described as a "reasonably good performer" and "stable / stiff and has an excellent righting". Owners have also noted her as "heavy and fun to race".

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior layout details are not extensively documented in widely available public records, the Santana 39, as a 39-foot cruising sailboat of its era, would typically feature a functional and comfortable interior designed for extended stays aboard. Common arrangements for boats of this size from the 1970s often included a forward V-berth, a main salon with settees that convert into berths, a galley, and an enclosed head. The boat is equipped with a fresh water capacity of 40 gallons, providing a reasonable supply for cruising. Given W.D. Schock's reputation for robust construction, it's reasonable to infer that the interior would have featured solid fiberglass construction with a degree of wood trim, offering a classic and durable finish.