Design and Construction
C&C built the Landfall 39 predominantly of fibreglass. A raked stem and near-vertical transom define the hull, which the builder’s own Landfall lineage places among purpose-built offshore cruisers.
The centre-cockpit deck layout shapes the interior. It raises the saloon and accommodation volume above the waterline while leaving room aft for a private cabin. Owners who have lived aboard report that almost the entire hull is devoted to living space, with only a cavernous lazarette left as uncommitted storage. This emphasis on accommodation rather than machinery or sail stowage is the design’s defining choice.
The fixed fin keel carries 6,250 pounds of lead ballast against a displacement of 19,500 pounds, giving a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 32 percent. With a 12-foot-3-inch beam and 5-foot-6-inch draft, the Landfall 39 is a settled mid-size cruiser rather than a lithe racer.
Rig and Handling
The Landfall 39 has a masthead sloop rig and a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a wheel. This configuration keeps steering manageable and separates the helm from the working deck.
Her 667 square feet of sail area produces a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 14.73, placing her squarely in cruising territory: enough canvas for passage-making without requiring a racing crew. The moderate displacement and fin keel give her a hull speed near 7.5 knots, while the 31-foot waterline keeps wetted surface in check for a boat of her volume.
Accommodations
The companionway ladder leads directly into a spacious main saloon. Outboard settees face a substantial centreline drop-leaf table. Owners repeatedly praise the above-average joinery, with varnished teak offset by white laminate that helps keep the interior bright rather than dim.
Headroom runs well past six feet, and overhead grab rails provide practical support in a seaway. Aft to starboard, a large aft-facing navigation station and chart table sit beneath two deadlights and beside a pair of opening portlights. Two dorade vents bring additional air into the saloon.
Forward, a short passage leads to the V-berth, with the head to starboard and a hanging locker to port. The galley occupies the port-side passage to the aft cabin. A double sink and small counter sit behind the companionway; farther outboard are a three-burner stove, additional counter space, and a large top-loading refrigerator/freezer.
The aft cabin forms a private suite with an athwartships double berth, numerous stowage spaces, and its own head. Four opening portlights and an overhead hatch provide light and ventilation.
The Verdict
The Landfall 39 is a thoughtfully arranged centre-cockpit cruiser that trades speed for liveaboard comfort and private aft quarters. Its small production run and the potential for confusion with an unrelated boat of the same name make careful identification important. For an owner who values bright, roomy accommodation more than race-day performance, however, the design has plenty to offer.
Pros
- Centre-cockpit layout with a genuine aft cabin and its own head
- Above-average joinery praised by owners, with bright laminate accents
- More than six feet of headroom and overhead grab rails for security
- Well-ventilated saloon and aft cabin, with deadlights, opening portlights, dorade vents, and an overhead hatch
Cons
- Only about fifteen built, making the model scarce on the market
- Often confused with the unrelated 1974 Ron Amy design of the same name
