Design and Construction
The 390 displaces 20,944 lb and carries 8,818 lb of ballast, giving a ballast ratio of 42.1%. Her waterline is 32 feet 10 inches, and her beam is 11 feet 6 inches.
The 390 has a Lloyds-approved single-skin hull laminate, so there’s no foam sandwich for water to infiltrate. The flush decks use a devinyl-cell core to keep them light and strong. Above the waterline, she has an elegant, graceful appearance, with a sleek hull and low-profile coachroof that testers called a classic example of Swedish craftsmanship.
Both the standard 6-foot-1-inch and shallow 5-foot-3-inch drafts share an encapsulated long fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. A deep forefoot beneath the protected rudder helps the boat avoid pounding to windward. One former builder noted that, although the keel is encapsulated, most hulls were ballasted with iron ingots rather than lead.
Solid teak capping, proper gunwales, bronze coping bars on the rubbing strakes, and a substantial stainless stem band give the deck a lasting sense of quality.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Najad offered the 390 with either a sloop or cutter rig. The sloop has a masthead rig with a single forestay and backstay, while the cutter uses a fractional layout with two forestays and two backstays.
In period sail trials, a fully battened mainsail drove a 17% sail-area-to-displacement ratio, providing plenty of get-up-and-go for a boat of this weight. Testers recorded 6 knots close-hauled in 15 knots apparent and 5.3 knots in 10 knots.
The large rudder is nicely balanced, and the boat tracks well on its long-ish fin keel, easing the workload for both crew and autopilot. She is easy to sail shorthanded, while her stability and righting capability mark her as a serious offshore candidate. Her large rudder also helps make life easier for crew and autopilot alike.
Under power, the 60 hp Volvo Penta produced 5.8 knots at 2,000 rpm and 7 knots at 2,500 rpm. The boat is also easy to handle under power.
Deck and Cockpit
The centre cockpit places the mainsheet behind the helm, keeping the working area clear and allowing the sheet to be eased quickly in a gust. High coamings make the cockpit secure, while a fixed Scandinavian-style windscreen provides substantial protection.
Granny bars around the mast, a high grab rail leading forward, and a generous starboard locker for lines support safe movement on a lively sea. All lines are handled at the mast, reflecting an older deck layout.
A stern platform with swimming steps makes tender access easier. The cockpit sole also incorporates a soft patch through which the engine can be lifted straight out.
Accommodation
Below, the 390 has two sleeping cabins with double berths, plus a saloon whose settees can serve as single berths around a folding table. Headroom is 6 feet 2 inches, and the saloon berths are 6 foot 5 long.
The forward cabin contains a V-berth, lockers, and shelves. In the aft cabin, the island berth divides into two 3-foot-wide halves. There is also a flip-up dressing table and light from a hatch.
The heads compartment is aft to starboard, beside the companionway, and includes a wet locker warmed by the Eberspächer. Opposite, the galley to port has a double sink, a three-burner stove with oven, and a refrigerator/freezer.
A forward-facing chart table has a locker beneath the deckhead. The interior also provides a capacious inboard engine compartment. Reviewers described the accommodation as spacious, cosy, and well ventilated.
Refits and Ownership
Many Najad 390s have bow thrusters that are now decades old, and current owners have reported occasional malfunctions. The emergency tiller can be operated only from below decks, a quirk worth understanding before a steering failure.
The single-skin hull and encapsulated keel make for relatively straightforward structural surveys. However, because most boats carry iron ballast, a careful check for possible internal corrosion paths is wise.
The Verdict
The Najad 390 is a thoughtfully engineered centre-cockpit cruiser that combines offshore stiffness with a balanced, responsive helm. She is heavy by the numbers, but offers a sea-kindly motion and a secure, well-finished interior suited to spending months aboard.
Pros
- Encapsulated keel, skeg-hung rudder, and deep forefoot contribute to comfort to windward
- Lloyds-approved single-skin hull avoids the risk of water entering a hull sandwich
- Large, balanced rudder and good tracking ease shorthanded sailing
- Secure centre cockpit with high coamings and a fixed windscreen
Cons
- Most hulls carry iron rather than lead ballast
- All lines are handled at the mast, reflecting an older layout
- Emergency tiller can be used only from below decks
- Ageing bow thrusters have reportedly malfunctioned occasionally
