Her defining feature is the curved deckhouse shared by the DS family. Blue Water Sailing likened its shape to the flowing roofline of an Audi TT. Rather than meeting the cockpit coaming at a hard angle, the curve flows aft into it.
Design and Construction
The deckhouse is both the visual and structural signature of the 39 DS. Its raised coachroof creates a genuine sense of spaciousness, while the large ports fill the saloon with daylight. Cruising World noted that the “deck saloon” label isn’t strictly accurate, but the raised house delivers what the name promises for a cruising couple.
The hull is solid fiberglass with an iron ballast bulb, and the deck is also solid fiberglass. Below, the joinery finish is very good. Warm, varnished teak gives the interior a traditional rather than stark appearance.
The boat’s deep 6-foot-6 draft may limit access to some shallow cruising grounds.
Rig and Handling
The 39 DS has a fractional sloop rig with roller furling on both the mainsail and headsail. All sheets and control lines can be handled from the cockpit, so crew needn’t go forward to work them.
The lower shrouds are moved inboard, while the upper shrouds are led outside the rail. This arrangement keeps the side decks wide and unobstructed for moving forward. Twin wheels allow the helmsman to sit well outboard with a clear view of the sails. The primary winches are immediately forward of the wheels, and the jib can be trimmed from the helm.
Test sailors found the helm tight and a pleasure to steer. In a light-air trial, the boat performed well even with in-mast furling, though that arrangement may favor cruising convenience over performance trim.
The cockpit sole is 2 inches higher than on the standard 39i, gaining additional headroom in the aft cabin below.
Accommodations
The layout makes a strong case for two-couple or family cruising, provided the crew can manage without a second head. Rather than crowding in another bathroom, the builders fitted a single amidships head and used the saved space to enlarge the forward and aft cabins.
The aft double is one of the largest available on a boat under 40 feet. It has a huge athwartships berth, with its foot tucked beneath the cockpit, and ample hanging lockers. The forward guest cabin is also spacious, with a large V-berth.
In the saloon, a large U-shaped galley and full-size chart table sit to port. To starboard, a large dinette wraps around to seat six, while a straight settee opposite makes a comfortable lounging area. That straight port settee also serves as a sea berth on passage. The head and shower are aft, next to the companionway.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit is large, well protected from weather and spray, and furnished with bench seats. Its open aft access leads directly to the swim platform. The twin-wheel layout leaves the transom clear for boarding or handling a tender.
A dodger attaches to a raised splash rail. The deck beneath it is cambered so water drains to the sides rather than pooling. Top-quality hardware is used throughout.
Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 39 DS is a thoughtfully packaged cruiser. It trades a second head for genuinely generous cabin volume and uses its deck-saloon form to bring light and headroom into a sub-40-foot hull.
Cockpit-led controls and a forgiving, well-balanced helm make the boat easy to sail short-handed. For a cruising couple, its accommodations are among the most generous in its class.
Pros
- One of the largest aft double cabins available under 40 feet, plus a roomy forward guest cabin
- Roller-furling mainsail and headsail, with all lines led to the cockpit for short-handed sailing
- Curved deckhouse brings light and a sense of space below
- Wide, unobstructed side decks created by the inboard lower shrouds
- Twin wheels provide good sightlines, with the primary winches close at hand
Cons
- Only one head, with no second bathroom for guests
- The in-mast furling used during testing may favor cruising convenience over performance trim
- Deep 6-foot-6 draft limits access to some shallow cruising grounds
