Southern Cross 39 vs Cabo Rico 38 vs Freya 39

[Cloroxbottle]

Thoughts on these three cruisers? I'd particularly appreciate input from anyone who might have had the chance to be aboard more than one.

[Don C L]

I have a good friend with a Freya 39 that he has sailed all over the south Pacific and he loves it, but I haven't been sailing on it. Just curious, did you mean to say Southern Cross 39? That would be a better comparison I'd think.

[Cloroxbottle]

Yes, I did 39 vs 38 vs 39.

[Don C L]

Keeping in mind I have no firsthand experience, I would THINK the Southern Cross would have better performance given its fin-ish keel and skeg hung rudder. My friend did say though his Freya did very well upwind in rough seas and pointed pretty high considering its configuration. Anyway I hope some owners will chime in here for you!

[Adelie]

I fixed the title.

[Don C L]

beat me to it!

[Don C L]

BTW in case you haven't seen it, this website might offer a few insights too:
The Freya 39 Sailboat : Bluewaterboats.org
The Cabo Rico 38 Sailboat : Bluewaterboats.org
The Southern Cross 39 Sailboat : Bluewaterboats.org

[Cloroxbottle]

Thanks Don.

This is interesting regarding the Cabo Rico from the Bluewaterboats website:

"The construction is a balsa cored deck paired with a thick skinned balsa sandwich hull. Ballast is internal and changed from iron to lead at around hull 40."

My understanding of the Cabo Rico was that it was a solid glass hull, but had wood lining on that glass hull as a finishing/insulating material. If it's truly a cored hull, that would be enough to cross it off the list.

Having lived with a modern sailboat for the past half decade, I'm going old school this time. But the mission, and my priorities, have changed.

[Don C L]

I didn't know the Southern Crosses after hull 13 were largely owner finished too. Might be something to check on.
I look at boats often and think "would I want to bash up the coast in that?" The Freya is a boat that looks to me like I'd be comfortable bashing for a few days.

[AA3JY]

We have to two sites to ask your questions:

Cabo Rico google groups
Cabo Rico Yahoo groups

[Don C L]

I see the thread was also posted to this social group here:
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...abo+ricos.html
You might try a PM to the members there too.

[Mithril Bham]

I spent a lot of time on a Southern Cross 39. Loved it but I tend to favor heavy boats in the rough water we have up here.
Since all are old be sure to check deck core thoroughly. It can be an expensive fix.

[Fatbob]

I recently purchased a Southern Cross 35 and really like it. When we were looking, I compared the Pacific Seacraft 34, Cabo Rico 34 and Southern Cross 35. Each boat had +/-.....all boats are a compromise. I am very pleased with performance, comfort and build quality of the SC35 (mine was factory finished).

[Sonsie]

Originally Posted by Mithril Bham

I spent a lot of time on a Southern Cross 39. Loved it but I tend to favor heavy boats in the rough water we have up here.
Since all are old be sure to check deck core thoroughly. It can be an expensive fix.

Hi Mithril
Just wondering which SC39 you've had the pleasure of sailing on? I've sailed on two, #3 and #12

[Sonsie]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Keeping in mind I have no firsthand experience, I would THINK the Southern Cross would have better performance given its fin-ish keel and skeg hung rudder. My friend did say though his Freya did very well upwind in rough seas and pointed pretty high considering its configuration. Anyway I hope some owners will chime in here for you!

The Southern Cross 39 is a work of art. Mine has solid rod rigging that is fastened inboard of regular, sinking down into the coachhouse to end behind the settees. Solid. Amazing upwind performance.
Plus they have sea-kindly bums and keep you safe at sea. Amazing boats!!