International 29er

Designer: Julian Bethwaite
Design Year: 1997

The 29er, designed by Julian Bethwaite, was launched world wide in 1999 as "the most exciting new youth boat for the 21st century." The boat is smaller, simpler and less expensive than its big brother, the Olympic Class 49er. Because of its size and price, it is simply the fastest and most thrilling boat available. The 29er provides sparkling performance at an affordable price for crews between 120-145 kg making this an ideal boat for younger sailors.

The 29er is already hailed in the USA as the "Performance Boat of the Year."

International acceptance of the 29er was assured when ISAF (the world organizing body for sailing) granted the boat Recognized Status in November 1999.

Constructed from hi-tech composite foam sandwich, the hull is ultra-lightweight with a self-draining cockpit. The rig is pure skiff-fully battened mylar sails with a self- tacking jib, supported on a composite-tipped mast that gives the ultimate in gust response and acceleration. Add the asymmetric spinnaker and you’ll discover the 29er is dynamite downwind.

Other design features include a mainsail cuff to increase sail efficiency, a ram vang, safety foot/grab rails and an enclosed transom. The 29er provides competitive racing for crews of between 105 and 140 kgs and delivers sensational performance at an affordable price.

Construction Details

Hull & Deck Isophalic polyester FRP with foam sandwich laminate for stiffness and light weight. Daggerboard and Rudder Foils Aluminium with foam core. Light and strong. Alloy rudder stock with vertically lifting dagger rudder blade.

Spars Composite topmast with aluminium alloy lower sections. Aluminium alloy boom. Composite bowsprit. Sails Fully battened mainsail and jib for shape stability and long competitive life. Mylar film with fibre weave for light weight and low stretch. Tri-radial spinnaker cut for shape stability and long life.