Prout Escale 39 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Escale 39 is defined by its mast-aft cutter rig, a design choice intended to simplify shorthanded sailing. By moving the mast toward the stern, the designer minimized the size of the mainsail—often the most difficult sail to handle on a catamaran—and placed the primary driving power in a large, roller-furling genoa and a staysail. While this configuration allows a couple to manage the boat easily from the safety of the cockpit, it results in a vessel that is more of a "steady motor-sailer" in light winds than a racing machine.

With a relatively high displacement-to-length ratio for a catamaran, the Escale 39 feels planted and secure in a seaway. Its low-aspect-ratio keels provide excellent protection for the rudders and sail-drives, allowing the boat to be safely dried out on a beach or mudflat. However, these fixed keels, combined with the solid bridge deck that sits lower to the water than modern "high-clearance" designs, can lead to bridge-deck slamming (commonly called "Prout slap") when heading into steep chop. Owners typically report that the boat performs best on a reach, where the large headsails can pull the heavy hulls effectively. Its pointing ability is modest, usually limited to about 45 to 50 degrees off the true wind, a trade-off for its shallow draft and rugged underbody.

Interior Comfort & Variations

Inside, the Escale 39 utilizes its 18-foot beam to create a living space that felt revolutionary at the time of its release. The layout typically features a large, semi-circular saloon area forward of the cockpit, providing 360-degree visibility. The "Prout signature" layout often places the galley down in the starboard hull, which, while separating the cooking area from the social space, allows for an enormous amount of storage and counter space—a feature highly praised by long-term liveaboards.

The model was produced in several configurations, most notably a three-cabin "Owner’s Version" and a four-cabin layout for larger families or charter use. The master suite in the owner's variant usually occupies one entire hull, featuring a dedicated head and a large longitudinal berth. A significant sibling to the Escale 39 is the Escale 42, which was built using the same primary hull molds but featured an integrated sugar-scoop stern extension. This modification increased the waterline length, marginally improving hull speed and providing easier access to the water for diving or dinghy boarding. The interior woodwork is traditionally finished in teak or cherry veneers, reflecting the robust British cabinetry standards of the late 20th century.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach an Escale 39 with a focus on its age and unique rig tension. Because the mast is stepped so far aft, the forestay and inner forestay carry immense loads to maintain luff tension for the large genoas. This can lead to compression stress on the bridge deck or bulkhead movement if the rig has been over-tensioned for decades.

• Bridge Deck Integrity: Inspect the area where the mast steps for any signs of crazing or depression in the fiberglass.
• Window Leaks: The large, wrap-around saloon windows are a hallmark of the Escale but are known to develop leaks over time as the sealant degrades and the hulls flex slightly in heavy seas.
• Core Moisture: While Prout used solid glass below the waterline, the decks often utilized balsa or foam coring. Use a moisture meter around stanchion bases and cleat mounts to check for delamination or water ingress.
• Sail-Drive Seals: Most Escales were fitted with Yanmar or Volvo Penta engines with sail-drives. Verify the age of the rubber gaiter seals, which typically require replacement every seven to ten years.
• Rudder Stocks: The rudders are protected by the keels but can develop play in the bearings or corrosion in the stainless steel stocks if the sacrificial anodes have been neglected.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Escale 39 benefit from one of the most dedicated niche communities in the maritime world. The Prout Owners Association serves as a vital repository for technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and refit advice specific to the Canvey Island-built fleet. This group is particularly active in the United Kingdom and the East Coast of the United States, where many Escales have migrated after crossing the Atlantic.

The Verdict

The Prout Escale 39 is a conservative, overbuilt cruiser that prioritizes safety and "homeliness" over exhilarating speed. It is an ideal platform for a cruising couple who values the ability to take the ground and navigate shallow waters that deeper-draft monohulls or high-performance multihulls cannot reach.

Pros:

• Safety: The solid bridge deck and protected rudders make it exceptionally rugged for coastal and offshore work.
• Ease of Handling: The mast-aft rig allows for effortless reefing and sail management from the cockpit.
• Livability: Large interior volume with a galley-down design that is ideal for long-term residency.
• Beachability: Low-aspect keels allow the boat to sit flat on its own hulls during low tide.

Cons:

• Performance: Underwhelming light-air performance and limited upwind pointing ability.
• Bridge Deck Slamming: Low clearance can lead to noisy and jarring "slaps" in head seas.
• Aging Systems: Many units require significant updates to electrical systems and window seals to meet modern standards.