The Carrera 290 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and respectable in club racing.
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 26.9′, the Carrera 290 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.9′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
99s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
32.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
45.1%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
68
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
8.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.64
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
909lbs
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
8.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.64
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
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Carrera 290 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Carrera 280
96s/nm
Carrera 290
99s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Mirage 29
174s/nm
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° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.1 |
6.9 |
7.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
6.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (32.7), 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 Carrera 290 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Carrera 290.
|
Carrera 290 |
Carrera 280 |
First 277 Beneteau |
J/29 |
Mirage 29 |
Regatta 290 Westerly |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.2 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
| LWL |
26.9 |
26.5 |
27.2 |
24.3 |
24.3 |
23.0 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
9.5 |
9.8 |
10.7 |
10.5 |
9.9 |
| Displacement |
2 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
— |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
419 |
418 |
448 |
392 |
— |
330 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
99 |
96 |
— |
— |
174 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
32.7 |
35.9 |
23.0 |
21.3 |
— |
13.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
45.1 |
52.2 |
— |
40.5 |
33.8 |
43.3 |
| Comfort |
8.3 |
7.2 |
14.6 |
22.1 |
— |
22.6 |
| Capsize |
2.64 |
2.78 |
2.23 |
1.76 |
— |
2.01 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
6.9 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
— |
6.4 |