Greetings from new owner of a P39

[montigre]

I just signed the papers for a new to me '73 Pearson 39 that I will be using to sail the Chesapeake Bay and eventually beyond.  I have not been able to find much information on this earlier model online.  I am wondering if there are other P-39 owners here that can share their sailing experiences with this boat.

[Rusty Pelican]

From what I understand, the P39 et al, line was produced after the P323 line.
There is a genetic problem with the water pooling on the side deck around the 1st & second stanchion. Water finds it was in and deck becomes punky. I have seen all types of fixes, the best fix in my opinion is to preemptively, worst case repair the deck then install deck scuppers where the water pools.   \

BobG

[montigre]

Thanks, Bob.  The PO did a repair to the soft decks in that area and they remain solid.  It is a great idea to add the deck scuppers to prevent recurrence. 

[Captain Bri]

Welcome to the forum, it looks like the first Bill Shaw designed P39 was in production from 70-77 so there should be plenty of other owners like yourself looking for more information.  Our PearsonYachts.org web project is for owners like you and I will add the P39 to the forum.

Here are the specs of the original P39 from Pearson Sailing of Chesapeake site:

Designer      Shaw   Main Area  318/341   Hull Speed    7.34
First Year    1970   For Tri    364/376   SA/D     16.5/18.8
Last Year     1977   I             46.5   D/L            281
LOA           39.3   J        15.7/16.2   BR             43%
LWL           30.0   P             41.0   L/B           3.37
Beam          11.7   E        15.5/14.5   LWL /B        2.57
Disp        17,000   PY            20.0   OR             24%
Draft      4.6/8.9   EY             6.0   CSF           1.82
Sail Area  682/777   Eng           D/A4   MCR           30.2
Ballast      7,300   Fuel            30   M/F        .87/.91
                     Water           40   PHRF           132
                     Mast Height   50.3