Jacaranda Journey

History of the Allied 39
(1970-1973)
 

Originally built in wood as the renowned Owens Cutter, the design was first constructed in fiberglass by Allen Boat Company and was known as the BORSAW. Six of these boats were built. The design was then sold to Allied Boat Company of Catskill, N.Y. and became the ALLIED 39 with a few changes: the traditional transom was changed to a reverse transom, the underbody was redesigned by Robert Harris to a cutaway forefoot and modified fin keel with a skeg hung rudder, and the beam was widened from 10' to 10'5". With sweeping, classic lines, this is definitely one of Allied's best-looking boats. Only ten were built. Another famous boat based on the same design is the Hinckley 41, the only difference being an extended stern.

The Allied 39 is considered a highly respectable passagemaking boat. When Chuck purchased her in 1983, Jacaranda had already cruised from Maryland throughout the Carribean, Virgin islands, Central America, South America, Hawaii and Alaska, and had been readied for Mexico but never left. He lived aboard her for 14 years, five of those in the South Pacific (1993-1997).