Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39

A former Jeanneau cruiser drawn by Jacques Fauroux, suited to sailors after a solidly built, quick boat for longer passages with a warm teak interior below.

Jeanneau stopped building the Sun Odyssey 39 some time ago, but she's worth knowing about if you come across one, mainly because of how she was put together. The hull is hand laminated and reinforced with Kevlar, the stainless steel chainplates connect to the bilge members, and the rudder stock is solid stainless. The main parts were deliberately oversized and well proven before they went into her.

Jacques Fauroux designed her. He raced as a helmsman and tactician and was world champion 7 times, and he meant this boat for fast long-distance cruising. You can see it in the fine entry at the bow and the sleek run of the hull. Light displacement and an open transom extension help her stay comfortable rather than just quick.

Under sail she carries a 31,4 m2 (338 sq.ft.) main with a furling genoa, which moves her 6.5 tonnes along smoothly. Every sail control comes back to the cockpit, so adjustments are fast and you rarely need to go forward. Keel options included a deep fin in lead or pig iron and a shallow draft wing keel, and the diesel was either 44 or 50 HP, giving her a good shove when the wind drops.

On deck you get a barrel coachroof, a clear cockpit and a platform at the stern, and getting around is straightforward. Below, there's teak joinery and plush upholstery, with ventilation coming from hull ports low down and deck hatches above.

She measures 11.99 m overall, with a hull length of 11.56 m and a draught of 1.95 m. There are 3 cabins and she's rated for up to 8 people.