Sailing Performance & Handling
The Sun Charm 39 is widely regarded as a "sailor's cruiser" due to its Jacques Fauroux-designed hull, which features a fine entry and a relatively flat aft section. This design allows the boat to track exceptionally well upwind while maintaining stability when reaching. According to the historical design specifications provided by Jeanneau, the yacht was engineered to balance a significant sail area with a moderate displacement, ensuring it remains lively in light airs—a trait often missing in modern, high-volume cruisers.
On the water, the Sun Charm 39 feels stiff and capable. The rudder is deep and provides high-leverage control, which prevents the boat from rounding up prematurely in heavy gusts. Because it shares the same hull as the Sun Fast 39, the Sun Charm possesses a "slippery" quality, easily hitting its hull speed under a standard Genoa and mainsail configuration. Owners often report that the boat feels "small" in its handling—responsive and nimble—but "large" in its motion, absorbing chop with a predictable, sea-kindly cadence rather than the pounding motion associated with lighter, modern flat-bottomed designs.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The interior of the Sun Charm 39 is a showcase of late-1980s nautical craftsmanship, utilizing extensive teak veneers and solid wood trim that create a warm, traditional atmosphere. Two primary configurations were offered: a three-cabin "Team" version popular in the Mediterranean charter trade and a more spacious two-cabin owner’s version. In both layouts, the central salon features a large U-shaped settee to starboard with a central bench seat, allowing for comfortable dining for up to six adults.
The galley is a highlight for long-term cruisers, typically arranged in a longitudinal or L-shaped fashion depending on the cabin count, offering deep sinks and substantial refrigeration space. Ventilation is a notable strength of this model, as Jeanneau integrated multiple opening ports and deck hatches, a design choice often highlighted in archived technical brochures. Headroom is generous throughout, exceeding 6'2" in the main salon, which contributes to the airy feel of the cabin. The primary difference between the Sun Charm and its Sun Fast sibling lies here; while the Sun Fast might have utilized lighter materials and simpler cabinetry to save weight, the Sun Charm used heavier, high-quality joinery to dampen sound and improve the luxury experience.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers of a Jeanneau Sun Charm 39 should focus their inspection on several age-related areas typical of this generation of French yachts.
- Keel-to-Hull Joint: Often referred to in owner circles as the "Jeanneau Smile," a hairline crack can appear at the leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint. While often cosmetic, it can indicate the need for re-torquing the keel bolts or replacing the sealant.
- Deck Core Integrity: The decks are balsa-cored. High-stress areas around the stanchion bases and the windlass should be checked with a moisture meter, as neglected bedding can lead to localized core rot over thirty years.
- Grid and Stringer Bonding: The internal fiberglass grid (the "matrix") is bonded to the hull. In boats that have suffered a significant grounding, this bond can delaminate. A thorough "tap test" with a phenolic hammer along the floor stringers is recommended.
- Osmotic Blistering: While Jeanneau used high-quality resins, boats from this era that have spent their entire lives in warm, tropical waters without an epoxy barrier coat may show signs of blistering.
- Original Plumbing and Wiring: Many Sun Charms still carry their original gate valves and PVC-coated wiring. Upgrading to modern Marelon or bronze seacocks and refreshing the DC panel is a common post-purchase project.
Community & Resources
Owners of the Sun Charm 39 benefit from a robust and technically savvy global community. The Jeanneau Owners Network serves as the primary repository for technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and specific maintenance advice for yachts of this vintage. Because the Sun Charm shares so many components with the Sun Fast and Sun Odyssey lines, parts such as rudder bearings and specialized deck hardware are still relatively easy to source through the global Jeanneau dealer network or specialized suppliers like Rig-Rite.
The Verdict
The Jeanneau Sun Charm 39 is a sophisticated performance cruiser that offers a level of build quality and sailing "soul" that is increasingly difficult to find in the used market. It is an ideal choice for the sailor who wants a boat that is fast enough to win a club race on Wednesday but comfortable enough to take the family cruising for a month in the summer.
Pros:
- Excellent sailing performance and balance thanks to the Jacques Fauroux hull.
- High-quality interior woodwork that has aged better than many contemporary builds.
- Dual-purpose capability as both a fast passage-maker and a comfortable liveaboard.
- Strong community support and availability of technical documentation.
Cons:
- Aging balsa-cored decks require careful inspection for moisture.
- Original electrical and plumbing systems likely need modernizing.
- Interior styling may feel "dark" compared to modern yachts with large hull windows.
