Fast Passage 39 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a used Fast Passage 39 means chasing a small, loyal cohort: only about 40 were built between 1976 and 1985, and owners tend to keep them, so available boats sell quickly when they appear. Most hulls came from Philbrooks in British Columbia, with a few from Tollycraft, and you will find the widest variety of rigs, engines, and interior appointments among survivors because some were finished from kits. The design itself is William Garden’s modern take on his Bolero, a 39'6" cutter with a skeg-hung rudder and moderate 5'6" draft that suits a cruising buyer who values sea-kindly behavior over race pace.
Layouts on the Used Market
Two interior plans were offered when new: a traditional stateroom version and a sunken deckhouse option. In the stateroom layout you get a passage berth to starboard of the companionway, a chart and nav area just forward, and a private port-side cabin with generous storage that works well as an owner’s stateroom—though the engine shares that space, most boats have enough insulation and ventilation to keep it livable. The traditional U-shaped galley has aft-facing sinks for a secure underway workspace, and forward there is a V-berth and sit-around saloon as Garden described. Ladder access is steep by today’s measure, so judge it in person if mobility matters.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A bow thruster is commonly fitted on used Fast Passage 39s, a real asset in tight marina maneuvering given the skeg-hung rudder. Often-seen upgrades include solar and inverter for house power, a spinnaker for downwind passage work, hot water, radar, and a chartplotter for navigation. The original auxiliary was a Yanmar diesel in many cases, with a Perkins noted in specification background; some boats received the larger-shaft engine option to cure an underpowered feel. Windvane and autopilot setups were praised by one BOC sailor for nearly all-condition steering, so confirm what the listed boat carries.
What to Inspect
The hull’s tumblehome is lovely but makes for a vulnerable topside, so look for rub-strake protection or evidence of dock contact. On earlier boats, the forward fuel tank can sit immersed and, when full, shift trim adversely—verify whether it was relocated aft in any refit. Check the emergency-tiller arrangement: on the original 39 it required opening the after lazarette, which is unacceptable in a seaway, so confirm any modification. Where following-seas exhaust intrusion was a prior fault, ensure a proper vented loop with proven components is in place.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the used Fast Passage 39 are the United States and Canada. Because the fleet is tiny and closely held, a buyer should be patient and decisive.
- Confirm rub strakes or hull protection at the tumblehome
- Verify fuel tank location and trim behavior
- Test emergency-tiller access without opening lazarette
- Inspect exhaust loop for following-seas modification
- Note bow thruster and power upgrades already fitted
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Fast Passage 39. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 2 | $95,500 | — |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $42,500 | -55.5% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $42,500 | 0.0% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $53,332 | +25.5% |
Where they're listed
Fast Passage 39 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 3 (75.0%), followed by Canada.
Country view
4 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $42,500 | 3 | 0 | 75.0% |
| Canada | $53,332 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.