The Bellona 29 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.8′, the Bellona 29 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.8′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
18.6
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
42.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
289
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
22.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.02
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
22.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.02
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (18.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Bellona 29 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Bellona 29.
|
Bellona 29 |
Aloa 27 |
Bandholm 28 |
First 28 Beneteau |
Sabre 28 2 |
Sadler 29 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.3 |
28.2 |
28.4 |
28.2 |
28.4 |
28.4 |
| LWL |
22.8 |
23.8 |
23.6 |
24.3 |
22.8 |
22.8 |
| Beam |
9.9 |
9.4 |
9.2 |
9.8 |
9.2 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
7 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
| Ballast |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
452 |
398 |
377 |
338 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
18.6 |
18.9 |
15.2 |
16.5 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
42.9 |
33.8 |
44.4 |
37.1 |
36.7 |
41.5 |
| Comfort |
22.9 |
19.4 |
25.5 |
17.2 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.02 |
2.04 |
1.85 |
2.18 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.6 |
— |
— |