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Cal 29
Designer: William Lapworth  ·  Builder: Jensen Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Cal 29

Designed during Cal Yachts' heyday in the 1970s, this 29-footer represents the California builder's commitment to creating affordable yet capable sailing vessels for the growing recreational market. Cal Yachts earned a solid reputation for producing well-built fiberglass boats that balanced performance with practicality, and the Cal 29 continues this tradition. This mid-size cruiser appeals particularly to sailors seeking their first "real" cruising boat or those wanting a manageable vessel for coastal exploration. The design emphasizes ease of handling while providing sufficient interior space for comfortable weekending or extended coastal passages. Like many Cal designs from this era, the boat features a moderate displacement hull that offers a good compromise between sailing performance and stability. The Cal 29 suits coastal cruising and light offshore work, making it an excellent choice for sailors transitioning from smaller day sailors to more serious cruising. Its size strikes an ideal balance—large enough to handle varied conditions and accommodate a small crew comfortably, yet small enough for single-handed sailing when desired. The boat's reputation for solid construction and seaworthy characteristics has helped it maintain a loyal following among budget-conscious cruising sailors.

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Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$12,500 – $12,500
typical asking price
Median $12,500  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$12,500 – $12,500 1
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
Beam 9.25 ft / 2.82 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Ballast 3,350.00 lb / 1,520 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Lapworth
Builder Jensen Marine (USA)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1974
Number Built 624
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
183
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
41.88
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
258.35
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 4.76 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.93
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.33 ft / 3.76 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 422.00 ft² / 39.21 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Universal
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 30
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
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