The Bar Barbor 39 is Maine Lobster Boat. It is not a recreational boat with the appealing above the waterline styling of a downeast lobster boat, it is a lobster boat.  That means that you can absolutely expect the robust structure; the refined seafaring characteristics; the ride and efficiency of a true commercial lobster boat. Like the generations of lobstermen who developed her, you can rely on it to execute intricate maneuvers at low speed, to plane easily with no “hump,” to perform well, to ride well, and to be delightfully stable throughout its entire performance envelope.  She will be in her element in the bay, at sea, or wherever you happen to take her. That is her heritage ... and she IS a lobster boat.

Efficiency is a dominant design criterion in the yachting version of the BH-39: in the accommodations layout where every element has a well defined purpose; in the structure, where advanced materials and structural efficiency slash dead weight; and in the propulsion system where a very efficient large diameter, slow turning propeller is carefully matched to engine output for greater efficiency.

How fast is fast enough? It is often desirable to travel 90-110 miles in the daylight hours to take advantage of favorable conditions. That is a very long day at the trawler’s 7 knots, involving several hours of extremely challenging low light navigation.  In the instance of deteriorating weather, building winds and seas, and a current turning foul, it is downright dangerous.

Fast enough. 100 miles takes 4-6 hours in the BH-39.  150 miles in daylight is not a very long day.  She can cruise nicely and efficiently at 7 kts and ... can cruise just as nicely at 15 kts at 13 gal/hr, getting the same fuel mileage as many trawlers do at 7 kts. On long coastal transits, you can time your day’s run with a fair tide/current and make spectacular SOG. If things start to turn ugly (far more often in practice than one would like to admit), the BH-39 can blast off at 25 kts at 25 gal/hr.  That is an extremely attractive option for narrow weather windows, comfort and safety.

Crew comfort is of paramount importance for long term cruising. The BH-39 has been designed with the intent to make a proper place for everything that is essential to extended cruising.  Each system and component has been chosen with functionality, efficiency, reliability and easy maintenance as their selection criteria.  Your benefit is a boat that is very enjoyable to live aboard and to live with.

Thus ... Using the philosophy of “less is more”, the elegantly finished Bar Harbor 39 is very close to optimum for a cruising couple or family.