Design and Construction
The hull is not a shortened version of the earlier 40 DS but comes from a completely new mold shared with the aft-cockpit 39i, and it is built of solid hand-laid fiberglass with ISO gelcoat and a protective barrier coat to resist osmosis. A fiberglass grid reinforced in high-load areas strengthens the bottom, and the hull is sturdy enough for offshore-minded cruising. The deck is built using Jeanneau's resin-injection "Prisma process" with end-grain balsa core and ISO gelcoat, cambered so any water that gets under the dodger runs off to the side rather than pooling. A system of limber holes ensures that all bilge water ends up in the sump, and the electrical and plumbing lines are neatly bundled and secure. Like all Jeanneau boats of the era, the 39 DS is built in the factory at Les Herbiers, France.
Rig and Handling
The test boat carried an in-mast furling mainsail that eased sailhandling, and the fractional sloop rig is set up so the lower shrouds are moved inboard and the uppers led outside the rail, making it easier to move along the wide side decks. The cabintop mainsheet sits several steps forward of the twin wheels and the jibsheet winches, while the primary winches are immediately forward of the wheels so the driver can trim the jib from the helm. Sight lines from the helms are excellent, and the twin wheels allow the helmsman to get well outboard with a good view of the sails. Writing in Cruising World, one reviewer found the boat a pleasure to steer, with a nice, tight helm feel, and even with in-mast furling the 39 DS performed well in a light-air test sail. In 15 knots of breeze the boat produced plenty of heel to windward, showed noticeable weather helm in puffs, and tacked through 90 degrees; she gave a lively, fast ride at about 8 knots. Under power, a 2,500 rpm setting yielded 7.4 knots with moderate saloon noise, and full throttle drove her to a theoretical displacement hull speed near 8 knots, with a turning circle just over one boatlength and excellent close-quarters handling.
Accommodations
The raised coachroof creates a sense of spaciousness, and large ports contribute plenty of light to accommodations that are airy and bright. The saloon gives fine visibility and lots of light in the main living space, with a big dinette and wraparound seating for six to starboard opposite a straight settee good for lounging, all set off by warm teak woodwork. Rather than cram a second head aboard, the builders placed one head amidships and added the saved room to the forward and aft cabins. The forward cabin holds a comfortable berth; the aft cabin features a large athwartships double berth that feels roomy because the cockpit sole is 2 inches higher than the one on the 39i. The boats carry their tankage low beneath the cabin sole to aid stability, and the interior combines satin-varnished teak, off-white fiberglass, and leatherlike upholstery lit by plentiful ports and hatches. Headroom runs 6 feet 5 inches in saloon and aft cabin, 6 feet 1 inch forward.
Known Issues
Two interior geometry quirks show up in service. The forward bulkhead cutout leaves a small threshold in the forward-cabin passageway, and there is a small step down going to the aft cabin; both can trip up the unwary moving about at night. Period assessments also flag sound levels below under power as a negative point, consistent with the moderate noise recorded in the saloon at 2,500 rpm.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 39 DS Perf. is a well-made mid-size cruiser that complements Jeanneau's deck-saloon range, offering the volume and light of a raised saloon at a length where the layout still feels intentional rather than compromised. A couple will find her convenient to manage, and the helm is a genuine pleasure.
Pros
- Deck-saloon volume and light in a 38-foot hull
- New hull mold shared with 39i; sturdy solid-fiberglass construction with osmosis barrier
- Excellent close-quarters handling and tight, pleasing helm
- Good engine access from all directions
Cons
- Forward bulkhead threshold and aft-cabin step are trip hazards
- Notable saloon sound levels under power
- Noticeable weather helm in puffs when sailed hard
