Sailing Performance & Handling
Under sail, the Globemaster 39 is best described as a motorsailer in the truest sense; it is designed to use its rig to stabilize the hull and assist the engine rather than to win windward races. With a displacement that typically exceeds 25,000 pounds, the hull carries significant momentum but requires a stiff breeze to overcome its own inertia. The boat features a full keel that provides excellent tracking and a soft motion in a seaway, making it a predictable platform for long-distance coastal passages.
The Sail Area to Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio is notably low, reflecting a design that favors safety and ease of handling over speed. Because of its high windage and relatively shallow draft for its size, the boat does not point particularly well toward the wind, often requiring the engine to "motor-sail" when the apparent wind angle is forward of the beam. However, when reaching or running in heavy weather, the heavy hull provides a sense of security and "sea-kindliness" that lighter, modern cruisers lack.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The hallmark of the Globemaster 39 is its expansive interior, which takes full advantage of the boat's high-volume hull. The pilothouse design allows for an airy, bright main salon with 360-degree visibility—a luxury rarely found in traditional 39-foot monohulls of that era. Most configurations feature a "Great Cabin" aft, providing a level of privacy for the owners that is typically reserved for much larger vessels.
Materials used in the interior are dominated by heavy teak joinery and laminates, typical of 1970s American boatbuilding. Headroom is generous throughout, often exceeding 6'4" in the main salon. The boat was produced alongside its smaller sibling, the Globemaster 35, which utilized a similar design philosophy on a shorter waterline. Some 39-foot hulls were also completed as pure trawlers without the ketch rig, known as the Lindsey 40 Trawler, which utilized the same heavy-duty hull mold but substituted the mast for a larger power plant and flybridge.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers of a Lindsey Globemaster 39 should focus their inspections on the structural and mechanical systems inherent to 50-year-old fiberglass vessels.
- Fuel Tank Integrity: Many Globemasters were fitted with black iron or galvanized steel fuel tanks. Over decades, condensation can lead to "bottom-up" corrosion. Buyers should check for signs of pitting or leaks, as tank replacement in these vessels often requires significant cabinetry removal.
- Deck Core Condition: Like many boats of its era, the Globemaster utilizes a balsa or plywood core for the decks. Persistent leaks from stanchions or the prominent pilothouse windows can lead to delamination and soft spots. A thorough percussion test with a phenolic hammer is essential.
- Chainplate Inspection: The ketch rig puts considerable stress on the chainplates. Given the boat’s age, these should be inspected for crevice corrosion, particularly where they pass through the deck.
- Osmotic Blistering: Early Lindsey hulls were built before the widespread use of vinylester resins. It is common to find osmotic blistering below the waterline, which, while usually not structural, may require a bottom peel and epoxy barrier coat.
Community & Resources
While there is no longer an active manufacturer, owners often congregate in general motorsailer and traditional boat forums to share technical data. Technical discussions regarding Alan Pape’s design influences—though he is more famously linked to the British-built Ebbtide series—often provide context for the Globemaster's hull shape and seaworthiness.
The Verdict
The Lindsey Globemaster 39 is a "destination boat" for those who value comfort and safety over raw sailing speed. It is an ideal platform for a couple looking to live aboard or cruise the Great Loop and coastal waters where the ability to power through a calm is as important as the ability to sail.
Pros
- Exceptional interior volume and headroom for a 39-foot vessel.
- Heavy displacement and full keel provide a stable, comfortable motion in rough seas.
- The pilothouse offers excellent protection from the elements and high visibility.
Cons
- Poor upwind sailing performance and high windage.
- Requires significant engine maintenance as the primary source of propulsion.
- Aging systems (tanks and wiring) are likely to require expensive updates.
