Cavalier 39 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

39' · 11.89 m

Displ.

18,700 lbs · 8,482 kg

First year

1973

The Cavalier 39 represents the pinnacle of New Zealand’s production boatbuilding era, emerging as a robust, offshorecapable cruiser designed by the legendary Bob Salthouse. Launched during a period when Cavalier Yachts was the Southern Hemisphere's largest builder, the 39 was conceived as a "big sister" to the iconic Cavalier 32, offering significantly more volume, waterline length, and bluewater stability. Its distinctive aesthetic—often featuring the signature "simulated clinker" hull lines that Salthouse favored—combined traditional New Zealand styling with the thenmodern advantages of solid handlaid fiberglass. While primarily known as a comfortable cruiser, the 39’s pedigree is rooted in the demanding conditions of the Tasman Sea, making it a frequent sight in longdistance rallies and coastal races throughout Australasia.