Southern Cross 39

Description

The Southern Cross 39 (also known as the Gillmer 39) is a classic American 39-foot double-ended cutter designed by Thomas C. Gillmer (US Naval Academy naval architect) as a rugged, heavy-displacement bluewater cruiser. It was built by C. E. Ryder Corporation in Bristol, Rhode Island, starting in 1981 (production into the mid-1980s); exact total numbers built are not precisely documented but appear relatively low (likely under 100, following the pattern of the smaller Southern Cross models with many sold as hull-and-deck kits for owner completion). Like its siblings (the 28, 31, and 35), it features traditional double-ender lines with a cutaway forefoot, skeg-hung rudder, encapsulated lead ballast, and solid fiberglass construction (some with Airex-cored hulls), delivering a smooth, forgiving motion and excellent stability for offshore passagemaking—prioritizing seaworthiness, strength, and comfort over speed. Key features include a powerful masthead cutter rig (with bowsprit), practical accommodations for 5–6 with good storage and headroom, and a reputation as a capable long-distance cruiser (some examples have completed extensive voyages). It is described as heavily built and well-suited for deep-water sailing.