The Explorer 39
is a shallow draught cruising yacht designed to be built in composite.
With a pivoting keel and a retractable rudder, she is a boat capable
of crossing oceans and entering in places denied to fixed keel yachts.
The possibility of sailing in shallow waters or passing over reefs
without causing damage to the boat is becoming a very desirable feature
once many of the interesting cruising grounds are getting shallower
with sedimentation.
The important factor concerning interior layout is the position of
the pivoting keel. It’s box placed at the central area of the
boat favours positioning the main saloon at the after quarters.
This is a very agreeable concept giving to the boat a special character.
A huge U shaped sofa and a large table allows for at least eight persons
to be served for dinner or ten persons to be entertained. Illumination
and ventilation are enhanced with opening ports placed at the topsides.
The engine is fixed under the table, a very convenient place, once
when detaching the cover and the sidewalls there is 360o access for
easiness of engine maintenance.
There is a bulkhead abaft the sofa backrest where gear and equipment
are stored or installed. To starboard, going to the transom, there
is a locker with access from the cockpit where gas bottles are stored
with room to spare for fenders and warps.
The companionway ladder is divided in two parts, the engine cover
being one of the steps. Abaft the upper steps is placed a crystal
clear Plexiglas to separate it from the dinning table without darkening
the ambience.
At the central area of the boat, there is an ample navigation table
and a sofa berth to portside. A folding table extends towards the
sofa, creating an office area where one can work with a laptop with
the maximum of comfort
The access corridor between the keel case and the sofa leads to the
heads door and to the comfortable fore cabin, with its double berth
and sofa.
In front of this cabin, there is a collision bulkhead that divides
the cabin from the anchor chain locker. This locker is larger than
usual, this way taking the chain rode farther away from the forepeak.
The galley and the heads are placed at the central area to starboard,
both characterised for their unusual large size compared to other
similar boats.
The whole concept of the interior layout is that of offering the maximum
comfort for a couple, and sleeping accommodations for three more passengers.
The Explorer 39 is intended for short-handed sailing. Her cutter rig
with a self-tacking midstay sail is the easiest arrangement for a
single person to handle the boat. A very light hull compensates the
moderate sail area, so a lively performance is obtained with a minimum
of effort.
With chain plates attached to the topsides the fore sail overlap is
110%, except when a gennaker is employed.
The swing keel is lifted by means of a hydraulic piston linked to
spectra cables. In case of collision, the keel is free to lift without
finding resistance from the piston. This is a very important safety
device in swing keel design. The balanced rudder is also retractable
as a dagger-board.
Being an authentic long-range blue water cruiser, the Explorer 39
has above average capacities with a maximum of 550 l (gal) of water
and 800 l (210 gal) of fuel. An inboard engine of fifty to sixty horsepower
gives a maximum speed of 7.5 knots in calm waters.
The Explorer 39 is a yacht for those who like sailing adventures and
want to own a modern, versatile and comfortable sailboat.