The Compass 29 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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 22.5′, the Compass 29 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ 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
12.3
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
47.9%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
307
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
25.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.85
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
736lbs
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
25.9
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
1.85
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Compass 29 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Paceship 29 Cc
201s/nm
Seafarer 29
210s/nm
Contest 29
234s/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° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (12.3), 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 Compass 29 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Compass 29.
|
Compass 29 |
Cal 2 29 |
Contest 29 |
Konsort 29 Westerly |
Paceship 29 Cc |
Seafarer 29 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.8 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
28.8 |
28.8 |
28.7 |
| LWL |
22.5 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
25.5 |
22.0 |
21.3 |
| Beam |
9.2 |
9.3 |
8.3 |
10.8 |
9.3 |
9.0 |
| Displacement |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
301 |
422 |
— |
391 |
— |
357 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
234 |
— |
201 |
210 |
| SA/Disp |
12.3 |
16.9 |
6.9 |
14.3 |
— |
16.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
47.9 |
41.9 |
38.8 |
— |
48.6 |
— |
| Comfort |
25.9 |
25.0 |
— |
22.7 |
— |
23.3 |
| Capsize |
1.85 |
1.85 |
— |
2.05 |
— |
1.92 |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.6 |
— |
6.8 |
— |
6.2 |