Opium 39 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design Brief & Intent

Marc Lombard’s brief for the Opium 39 was to capture the essence of open-class ocean racing—such as the Open 60 and Class 40 classes—and tame it for high-speed cruising and shorthanded regattas. To achieve this, Lombard designed an exceptionally wide hull with a maximum beam of 13.7 feet, which is carried all the way aft without tapering. This ultra-wide stern provides massive form stability and a huge platform for reaching and running, distinguishing the Opium 39 from the more conservative, IRC-rated performance cruisers of its era. While those competitors were optimized for up-and-down windward-leeward racecourses with narrow waterlines and deep keel weights, the Opium 39 was built to break free from its own wave system and plane easily.

Wauquiez’s involvement elevated the concept by marrying this aggressive offshore hull form with an interior of exceptional finish quality. Instead of the spartan, bare-composite interiors common to pure racing boats, the Opium 39 features a warm, inviting living space rich in satin-finished wood joinery, rounded cabinetry, and robust handrails. The layout is optimized for safety at sea, highlighting a secure, U-shaped galley where the cook can brace comfortably in heavy weather, and a dedicated, forward-facing navigation station capable of housing extensive offshore electronics. It targets the discerning sailor who refuses to choose between double-digit surfing speeds and a refined, comfortable life at anchor.

Variations & Configurations

To suit various cruising and racing programs, the Opium 39 was offered in several distinct configurations. Under the water, buyers could choose between a deep, fixed bulb keel drafting 7.1 feet or a highly engineered swinging keel. The lifting-keel variant is particularly versatile, utilizing a hydraulic pivoting mechanism that reduces the draft to a shallow 4.1 feet for exploring tight anchorages or navigating tidal channels, while extending to a massive 9.2 feet when fully lowered to maximize righting moment and upwind pointing performance.

The deck and cockpit layout also featured options to suit owner preference. While tiller steering was standard and favored by purists for its direct connection to the twin rudders, an optional dual-wheel steering system was available. The wheel configuration was designed with a highly direct, one-turn lock-to-lock transmission to preserve helm sensitivity. Rig configurations typically feature a powerful, fractional sloop setup with a retractable carbon bowsprit for flying massive gennakers or asymmetric spinnakers. Many owners opted for a cutter-rig configuration, integrating a removable inner forestay to fly a staysail or storm jib, making the boat exceptionally adaptable to offshore weather changes. Internally, the boat was built in either a two-cabin or a three-cabin layout. The three-cabin layout features twin double berths aft and a double V-berth forward, while the two-cabin version swaps one aft cabin for a larger head and an expansive cockpit locker, making it the preferred choice for long-distance couples.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Opium 39 are defined by its remarkable physical ratios. With a light-ship displacement of 12,346 pounds and a massive sail area, its sail-area-to-displacement ratio stands at an extraordinary 27.04. This high-octane figure translates directly to immediate acceleration; in light airs of just 10 to 11 knots, the yacht easily matches or exceeds wind speed on reaching angles. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 116.67 confirms its ultra-light, high-performance nature. When the wind climbs and the sheets are eased, the flat hull section aft allows the Opium 39 to pop onto a plane effortlessly, generating exhilarating double-digit speeds under gennaker.

Conversely, the boat’s comfort ratio of 15.96 is low, indicating a lively, rapid motion in a seaway. It responds more like an oversized racing dinghy than a heavy-displacement cruiser, requiring active sail trim and helm attention. This lively character is tempered by a capsize screening ratio of 2.37. While this number is high by traditional offshore cruising standards, it reflects the boat's wide beam rather than instability. The hull relies on its wide, flat aft sections for immense dynamic stability. To control this beam when heeled, Lombard specified twin-blade rudders. This dual-rudder configuration ensures that even when the boat is pressed hard and heeling significantly, the leeward rudder remains fully immersed and highly efficient, preventing broaching and allowing the helmsman to maintain direct, feather-light control.

Market Snapshot & Economics

On the brokerage market, the Opium 39 occupies a highly specialized and rare niche. Because of its premium construction and the limited production run under Wauquiez, the model is scarce and highly sought after by performance-oriented cruisers. Consequently, it commands a relative premium compared to mass-produced racer-cruisers of the same vintage.

The economics of owning an Opium 39 are heavily influenced by its advanced construction. Wauquiez utilized a sophisticated vacuum-infusion process to build the hull, using multi-axial E-glass fabrics, a vertical-grain balsa core, and high-grade vinylester resin. This vinylester barrier provides excellent resistance against moisture absorption and virtually eliminates the risk of osmosis. The deck is constructed using a similar infusion technique, but utilizes a closed-cell PVC foam core to minimize weight aloft and lower the center of gravity. Prospective buyers must factor the cost of high-quality sails into their economic considerations, as this rig demands high-performance laminate sails to truly capitalize on its design potential. Additionally, on lifting-keel models, the hydraulic pivot and keel-trunk assembly represent specialized mechanical systems that require periodic professional inspection, which can elevate long-term maintenance costs relative to the simpler fixed-keel versions.

Known Issues & Triage

While the structural integrity of the vacuum-infused Wauquiez build is generally excellent, specific areas demand careful triage during a pre-purchase survey. The foremost area of concern is the balsa-cored hull sandwich. While incredibly stiff, any aftermarket hull penetrations—such as retrofitted depth transducers, watermaker intakes, or additional hardware—must be checked to ensure the balsa core was properly excavated and sealed with epoxy. Fortunately, Wauquiez engineered all factory-installed thru-hulls through solid, monolithic fiberglass sections rather than the sandwich core to prevent water ingress, but owner modifications over the years may not have adhered to this standard.

Additionally, user forums and structural repair yards have occasionally noted the need to closely inspect the keel-frame matrix. On some production units, particularly those that have seen hard racing or grounding incidents, the internal fiberglass grid and floor stringers near the keel attachment area should be scrutinized for any signs of secondary bonding failure or hairline cracking. For swinging-keel variants, the pivot pin, hydraulic cylinders, and nylon guide blocks inside the keel trunk must be checked for wear. Any play in the pivot pin can lead to an audible clunking sound when sailing or at anchor and, if left unaddressed, can cause premature wear on the internal trunk structure.

Modernization & Upgrades

Modern owners of the Opium 39 are actively refitting these vessels to optimize them for extended, self-sufficient cruising and offshore racing. One of the most common upgrades is the conversion of the standard house battery bank to a high-capacity lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) system. The boat’s reliance on powerful, power-hungry autopilots during fast downwind passages makes lithium batteries an ideal match, allowing owners to run navigation systems, refrigeration, and electronics for extended periods without constantly running the 29-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine.

Furthermore, specialized performance refits have seen some owners collaborating with composite fabrication specialists to systematically shed weight. A notable trend includes replacing original plywood-core interior doors and table leaves with custom-fabricated foam-core carbon-fiber sandwich panels. This conversion dramatically reduces the weight of non-structural components—such as dropping the weight of cabin doors by over sixty percent—further enhancing the boat's power-to-weight ratio. Other common modernizations include retrofitting top-down furling systems on the bowsprit to handle code sails and modern asymmetric spinnakers, as well as upgrading the standard running rigging to high-tech Dyneema lines to minimize stretch under the high loads generated by the powerful rig.

The Verdict

The Opium 39 is an extraordinary breed of sailboat that successfully bridges the gap between raw, open-class offshore performance and high-end French craftsmanship. It is not a boat for those seeking a slow, heavy, self-steering traditional cruiser; instead, it is a fast, highly responsive, and physically engaging yacht designed for sailors who love the sensation of speed and the art of fine sailing. With its vacuum-infused construction, dual rudders, and sophisticated interior, it remains a standout model that continues to turn heads in any marina or offshore starting line.

Pros

Exceptional off-wind performance with effortless planing capabilities in moderate to heavy air.
Highly responsive and balanced helm feel due to the twin-rudder configuration.
Premium build quality featuring a vacuum-infused vinylester hull and robust monolithic reinforcements.
Beautifully finished Wauquiez interior that offers genuine cruising comfort without the spartan feel of a race boat.
Versatile draft options, particularly with the swinging-keel version, allowing for shallow-water exploration.

Cons