The Fast Passage 39 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 33.5′, the Fast Passage 39 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.5′ LWL = 7.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
16.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
35.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
249
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
34.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.72
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
34.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.72
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Fast Passage 39 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Fast Passage 39
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Passport 40
141s/nm
Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster
144s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.4 |
6.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (16.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Fast Passage 39 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Fast Passage 39.
|
Fast Passage 39 |
Cc 40 2 |
Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster |
Islander 40 |
Offshore 40 Nautical Development |
Passport 40 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
39.5 |
39.6 |
39.6 |
39.5 |
39.6 |
39.4 |
| LWL |
33.5 |
31.5 |
32.4 |
30.8 |
35.0 |
33.4 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
12.7 |
12.1 |
11.8 |
13.3 |
12.7 |
| Displacement |
21 |
17 |
19 |
17 |
21 |
22 |
| Ballast |
7 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
799 |
743 |
684 |
734 |
740 |
762 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
132 |
— |
144 |
— |
— |
141 |
| SA/Disp |
16.9 |
18.1 |
15.4 |
17.8 |
15.4 |
15.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
35.7 |
46.5 |
43.2 |
— |
41.9 |
37.3 |
| Comfort |
34.2 |
26.3 |
30.8 |
29.3 |
29.3 |
34.0 |
| Capsize |
1.72 |
1.97 |
1.81 |
1.84 |
1.91 |
1.79 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.4 |
7.9 |
7.8 |